Trip Planner: Europe / UK / Wales / Ceredigion / Tregaron / Historic Sites / Strata Florida Abbey

Strata Florida Abbey, Tregaron

(30+ reviews on the web)

Historic Site Landmark

Strata Florida Abbey is a former Cistercian abbey situated just outside Pontrhydfendigaid, near Tregaron in the county of Ceredigion, Wales. The abbey was originally founded in 1164. "Strata Florida" is a latinisation of the Welsh Ystrad Fflur; "Valley of Flowers". The Welsh word Ystrad is synonymous with "Strath" and "Dale", while Fflur is also the name of the nearby river. After the region around St. David's was firmly occupied by the Norman Marcher lordship of Pembroke by the early 12th century, with St. David's firmly under Norman influence thereafter, the princely Dinefwr family of Deheubarth transferred their patronage to Strata Florida, interring many of their family members there.HistoryFoundationThere is no actual date for the founding of the monastery. In the 12th century, Cistercian Monks from Whitland Abbey (Narbeth, Carmarthenshire) started to construct a religious settlement on the banks of the Afon Fflur (from which the present Abbey takes its name), a short distance from the present site. This during a time of fast expansion of the Cistercian order. The site of this first settlement is known as Hen Fynachlog (the Old Monastery).

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Reviews

TripAdvisor

JANETDENISE

Down a wild road. At the end the remains of the Abbey. Admission charges. You can see it all from the road. more »
Russell W

Have driven past the sign for here loads of times. Finally decided to visit and im glad I did! I have also heard there is a good country walk that reaches here so that is next on my list!! more »
Tetleyteainacup

Knowing nothing about Welsh history before, this place was a great introduction. Informative signs everywhere amongst the beautiful ruins. Interesting. more »

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Grant Charman

Beautiful place. Ruins of abbey are interesting. Decorated floor tiles are wonderful. Cost of entry not too steep. Can't fault it. Lovely

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Lee Ambrose

Impressive ruined/incomplete Abbey.

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Annie McSweeney

My daddy's ashes are here in the church yard. A beautiful peaceful place x

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Tim Pillinger

Fascinatingly well preserved and picturesque ruined abbey, this has the place in Welsh culture that Iona has in Scottish. Round the back of the South transpet can be found the graves of Welsh Princes, and to the North are poets and bards. The architectural detailing has survuived the collapse of the roof remarkably well, and detailed tiles and stone carving is still visible. In the crossing is what may well be a baptistry, but it's rather small by modern standards!

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Dave Rickards

Such a beautiful place

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