Aberconwy Abbey

Aberconwy Abbey ( Aberconwayum ) is a former Cistercian abbey in the Welsh town of Conwy. The monastery was situated on the estuary of the River Conwy.

History

The Convent was founded as the first Cistercian foundation in North West Wales 1186 Rhedynog - Felen in the parish Llanwnda at Caernafon Llywelyn ap Iorwerth of a daughter house of Strata Florida Abbey and thus belonged to the filiation of Clairvaux Abbey Primary. It was moved because of poor living conditions at the founding place no later than 1192 to the center of Conwy, where it developed into the most important Cistercian abbey in North Wales. Located in Conwy riverside monastery also gained as the burial place of the Welsh prince Llywelyn derunter from Iorwerth, and because of its support for the Princes of Gwynedd importance. King Edward I of England led the monks in 1283 to provide the monastery grounds establishing the fortress of Conwy Castle and the town of Conwy is available, and the monastery church became a parish church. The upstream to Maenan 12 km south of Conwy moved monastery was dissolved in 1537 and transferred to the Wynne family.

Buildings and plant

The multiply converted church in Conwy has still to the west and east over the original building stock. Tower, nave and sacristy date from around 1300 and the southern transept of the early 14th century, the aisles from the mid-14th century. The wooden decor is part of the 15th century. Of the located in the north of the church cloistered buildings in Conwy get nothing.

In Maenan slight remains of the monastery on the grounds around the built 1848-1852 Maenan Abbey Hotel are obtained. The church was a cruciform plant with just a closed choir, and the exam was - as in Conwy - in the north of the church.