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Pontrhydfendigaid

Just a short distance from this village, whose name translates as the “bridge across the blessed ford”, stands Strata Florida Abbey (CADW), a Cistercian house founded in 1164 by Robert Fitzstephen. This austere order was renowned for seeking out remote and isolated sites for its religious establishments and Strata Florida - the vale of Flowers - is one such site. Even though the abbey is in ruins today, it is still an evocative place. Just two years after its foundation, the abbey’s lands were overrun by Rhys ap Gryffyd but, in 1184, he refounded the abbey. Most of the buildings date from this time. During the 12th and 13th century, Strata Florida became not only one of the most important religious centres in Wales, but also a place that influenced Welsh culture, as it was patronised by both royalty and poets. Some of the last native princes and princesses of Wales were buried here, as was Dafydd ap Gwilym. Born near Aberystwyth he was probably the most famous of all Welsh medieval poets. In 1238, the Welsh princes swore their allegiance to Llywelyn the Great’s son, Dafydd, at the abbey. This was also the time when the abbey became very wealthy, mainly through wool from the sheep that grazed its vast lands.

After the Dissolution in the 16th century, the abbey and its lands passed through various hands and the ruins today consist mainly of the cloister, the chapter house and the church. In the north transept stands a memorial to the poet Dafydd ap Gwilym. The yew tree that stands amidst the abbey’s remains is thought to mark his grave. One legend associated with the abbey suggests that the Holy Grail, which was given to the monks at Glastonbury by Joseph of Arimathea, later ended up at Strata Florida. When the abbey, which formed part of the Nanteos estate, was left to fall into ruins, the cup, which had pieces bitten out of its sides by pilgrims convinced of its healing powers, was stored at Nanteos mansion.