The reconstruction of Saint David's Shrine

Saint David's shrine (built 1275) was an important site of Pilgrimage in the middle ages with the Pope declaring that two visits there were the same as one to Rome but the shrine was destroyed during the Reformation and Pilgrimage here waned.

Then in 2010 the Dean of Students David's, the Very Reverend Johnathon Lean, launched The Shrine Appeal to raise £150,000 to restore the shrine

The restored shrine was re-dedicated by the Bishop of Saint David's on Saint David's day 2012.

The shrine has five icons painted and gilded in the Byzantine style using traditional techniques (for example for the gesso on the lime wood panels the artist, Sara Crisp, used egg tempera).

The above painted oak canopy was designed by Peter Bird and made by Friend Wood and tries to copy the 13th century construction of the original and is decorated with gold to represent the heavens and has been painted in colours used in the mediaeval period.

The three nieches at the foot of the shrine were once used for kneeling but now house two reliquaries that are reputed to contain the remains of St David and St Justinian.

The original mediaeval floor and the modern copy below

The two icons on the back of the shrine

More information on Saint David and Saint David's Cathedral can be found in this post:

http://footprintsonthecamino.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/saint-davids.html

Comments

Route Napoleon closures: November-March

For anyone thinking of setting off on the Camino anytime soon just a reminder that the Navarrese Govenmnet closes the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees from November 1st - March 31st each year (and longer if need be). Roncenvalles in the snow The official notification for this (from last year) is below.

The Camino Primitivo

The Camino Primitivo (or the Original Way) is reportedly the very first Camino Way to Santiago in the 9 th century when most of Spain was under the control of the Moors and it runs from near the city of Ovideo in Asturias as it starts in Villavicosa (which also lies on the Camino Norte so many people follow this Way from Basque city of San Sebastian (Donosti in Basque) or in from the French border at Irun ( this route then hugs the Bay of Biscay passing through Guernica, Bilbao, Santander, Llanes before going under the Picos de Europa and then heads along the coast to Ovideo) before branching off onto the Primitivo which goes across the mountains and through the city of Lugo before joining the Frances at Melide. The route is 320km long. Image taken from https://viaalpina2013.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/camino-del-norte-camino-primitivo/

Pilgrim Prayer - Columba

Columba was an Irish monk (who founded several monasteries in Ireland) who sailed with 12 others to the island of Iona just off the west coast of Scotland. The Abbey he funded became one of the powerhouses of Mediaeval Christendom. He lived from 7th December 521 until 9th June 597. Alone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way. What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day? More safe am I within thy hand Than if a host did round me stand. Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me, Be thou a smooth path below me, Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, Today, tonight and forever.

On the Camino

Search This Blog