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Sacred Places While all places of worship are considered to be sacred places, there are other places that have also been considered sacred at different stages in our cultural history. This section lists some of the other sacred places, ancient and modern, that form part of the spiritual life of this area. Ancient Sacred Sites Throughout Welsh history there has been a connection between the spiritual life of the people and the land on which they depend. This is demonstrated by the many standing stones, burial sites and sacred wells that still surround us, sites which seem to have been regarded as particularly important for ritual or spiritual purposes in times past. For some people today, these ancient sacred sites are as significant now as they seem to have been for our ancestors. What follows is a small selection of the many sacred sites to be found in Swansea and its environs. We gratefully acknowledge the work of archaeologist Dewi Bowen5 and the help of local enthusiast Pippa Richardson in compiling this brief guide, which begins on page 80. Contemporary Sacred Spaces In our time, the continuing desire for sacred space within our community is shown in the creation of new sites such as Peace Gardens and Memorial Gardens. Listings for local contemporary sacred spaces begin on page 85. We wish to expand this section in future editions. If you have any information or expertise in this area that you could share, we’d love to hear from you – please contact us:
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5Dewi Bowen (1992) Ancient Siluria: its old stones and ceremonial sites. Felinfach: Llanerch Publishers CELTIC HERMITAGE Burry Holms Rhossili, Gower. OS Sheet 164, 400925 At the north end of Rhossili Bay, reachable via a causeway at low tide, is the small island of Burry Holmes, site of the remains of a monastic chapel. The main surviving structures are 12th-14th century, but excavations in the 1960s revealed evidence of an older pre-Norman monastic settlement. SACRED WELLS Ilston Wel, also known as Trinity Wel Parkmill, Gower OS Sheet 164, 554894 Within the remains of Trinity Well Chapel, renowned as the meeting place of the first Baptist church in Wales, may be found the ancient sacred well now known as Trinity Well. STANDING STONES
Bonymaen Stone
Mansel Road, Bonymaen, Swansea OS Sheet 165, 678953
This stone, found close to the Bonymaen Inn, gave its name to the area, which means “place of the stone”.
Cockett Valley Stone
Cockett, Swansea OS Sheet 165, 626946
At the north side of the playing fields of Dillwyn Llewellyn
School, Cockett, this stone stands around 5 feet high, although it may have originally been taller. (It would be
a courtesy to the school authorities to enquire before exploring.)
Carreg Bica
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