Though all that remains of St Non’s Chapel is a few crumbling walls of uncertain date, it is nevertheless a significant holy and cultural site. Its location, on the edge of Wales along one of the most stunning stretches of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, adds to the chapel’s spiritual charge. Said to be the 6th-century birthplace of the patron saint of Wales, St David, it is named after his mother, and remains a place of pilgrimage to this day.
The large stone standing in the corner of the ruined chapel, inscribed with a cross within a circle, is known as St Non's Cross. The stone was found in the same field as the chapel and is either a grave or an altar stone. The stone is dateable to the 7th to 9th century, but there is no firm evidence that it originally came from the site.
A holy well close to the chapel was thought to have healing properties, and to this day visiters. It was thought to be particularly effective for eye problems. It was restored by the Catholic Church in 1951, as was a shrine, using stones from nearby ruins. Pilgrims still visit here, and indeed there was one who we think was Canadian, and resembled a Russiam Orthodox priest. He was deep in thought, so we didin't disturb him much. It certainly felt like a special and holy place here.
The Pips show St.Non's Well and the Shrine
16 comments
Jaap van 't Veen said:
hWW
Roger (Grisly) said:
Also fascinating notes, HWW!
niraK68 said:
Joe, Son of the Rock said:
Herb Riddle said:
HWW, enjoy the day. Herb
Annemarie said:
HWW my friend
TOZ said:
HWW have a great day.
TOZ
Ko Hummel said:
Colin Ashcroft said:
Steve D said:
Dinesh said:
HWW Best wishes
Tanja - Loughcrew said:
hWW Dir und einen schönen Abend :)
Chris Bowness said:
William Sutherland said:
tiabunna said: