Llandaff Cathedral – Cardiff’s Ancient Sanctuary of Saints & Sky

#mytraveldiary Ambience & Setting Set in the leafy suburb of Llandaff in Cardiff, this cathedral nestles beside the River Taff amid lawns, trees, old stone ruins, and tearooms. Inside, light filters through coloured stained glass, shadows fall across carved stone arches, and air feels cool and calm. The mix of medieval stone, Victorian restoration, modern additions, and green surroundings gives a layered feel—history, worship, art, resilience. ⸻ Highlights • Romanesque Sanctuary Arch (c. 1120) – One of the earliest parts of the current structure, still evokes the Norman roots.  • Patron Saints & Legend – Dedicated to Saints Peter, Paul, and the three early Welsh saints: Dyfrig, Teilo, and Euddogwy. The site goes back to a Celtic church in the 6th century.  • Victorian Gothic Revival – Major restoration in the mid-1800s by John Prichard and partners, who blended Gothic style with richly decorative stained glass, rood screens, and chapel additions.  • Christ in Majesty (Majestas) – A dramatic post-WWII sculpture by Jacob Epstein, raised aloft above the nave on a concrete arch, adding a modern voice to the sacred interior.  ⸻ Practical Info • Location: Cathedral Close, Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales.  • Built / Restored: Origins in 1107 under Bishop Urban; restorations through centuries, major damages (including WW2 bombing) and rebuilding.  • Visiting: Active cathedral with services; open for visitors most days. Best to check times to avoid service periods.  • Notable Features: Stained glass windows (including works by Ford Madox Brown, Pre-Raphaelites), the Lady Chapel, the chapter house, choir, and organ.  ⸻ Why It’s Worth Visiting Llandaff Cathedral is more than old stone: it’s a testament to survival, artistry, faith, and continuous reinvention. If you appreciate architectural history, sacred space, moments of beauty (light through glass, sculptures, arches), this cathedral gives many. It’s calm, emotional, evocative—quiet, yet grand. ⸻ Final Thoughts Go in the morning or late afternoon for softer light. Sit quietly in the nave or Lady Chapel and let the space breathe with you. Notice the contrast of old and new: medieval stones, gothic revival ornament, modern art. Bring good shoes (floor is uneven in places). And allow time not just to look, but to feel—sounds, shadows, silence—which often proves the most lasting.