Slightly illegal shot of the interior of Llandaff Cathedral (I was outside when I took this picture, so it's o.k., right?).
I have found in my travels that the places that I enjoy the most are the ones that surprise me. They provide me with a sight or an experience that I didn't expect. Sometimes, the attraction is crowded with people (Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, Edinburgh, and Glendalough come to mind). However, usually there are few, if any, other people at the site. Such was the case at Llandaff Cathedral. I got to the Cathedral just before 5:30 p.m. Because of the late hour, all of the other tourists had left. I had the whole place to myself. The front door was open so I went in. I was taken aback by the dramatic interior of the building. However, I then noticed the sign stating that there was a photo charge of £2. Since there was no one to take the fee, I didn't feel I should take pictures, much less continue exploring the interior of the church (a momentary burst of conscience that will surprise those who know me). But, I couldn't resist sneaking one picture from the door.
I then walked around the grounds. The cathedral sits in a small valley below the town of Llandaff, which is a surburb of Cardiff. It is big enough that it seems to fill this whole valley. As I walked around the building, I was struck by the sense of tranquillity that seemed to eminate from it. Not that Llandaff Cathedral is older than any other church I had been to. It was just that its secluded location gave it a sense of belonging to another place and another time. This sense was heightened for me as I went to the back of the cathedral and walked into the largest graveyard I've ever seen at a church. I love church graveyards. They are usually overgrown, with faded headstones that are several hundred years old. Nowhere does one more directly confront the juxtaposition between the temporary nature of humanity and the permanent nature of God (manifested in the structure of the church). It's a humbling, yet hopeful experience.
After several pictures in the graveyard, I walked back to the front of the cathedral. The bells had begun to ring in the bell tower, calling the townspeople for the evening Eucharist service. Several people appeared at the top of the hill and began making their way slowly down the hill toward the cathedral. It was a magical moment. I only spent an hour at Llandaff Cathedral, yet I feel like I lived a year's worth of experiences in that time. While it may have been the time of day that contributed to my mood, I think that anyone who would visit the place would experience the same feelings. If you're in the Cardiff area, you should go to Llandaff Cathedral.
The cathedral is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There's no charge for entering
however donations are requested and there is the previously mentioned photography
charge. The cathedral is easily reached by taking the Cardiff bus service.
The bus drops you off in the center of town, where it's about a half a mile
walk to the Cathedral. Again, rely on the kindness of Cardiff bus drivers
to make sure you're getting off at the right spot.
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