Valle Crucis Abbey

Daughter monasteries

No

Valle Crucis Abbey ( Llanegwast ) is a former Cistercian abbey approximately 2 1/2 kilometers north- west of Llangollen on the road A 542 Ruthin in Denbighshire (formerly Clwyd ) in Wales.

History

The abbey was a daughter house of Strata Marcella Abbey from the filiation of Clairvaux Abbey Primary. The construction of Valle Crucis began at 1201 Prince Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor Maelor ap Gruffydd and his son Madog equipped the young abbey generous.; both were buried here in 1236 or 1270. On the lower walls of the church and in the southern area of ​​the monastery traces of fire from the period are to be found soon after the death of the founder. The following reconstruction was already well advanced, when the abbey during the Welsh campaigns of Edward I in the years 1276/77 and 1282/83 unexpectedly found again on the losing side. However, the compensation granted subsequently secured the existence of the abbey into the next century. After the appearance of the plague in Wales the number of monks decreased. During the 15th century the wealth of the abbey took too sure because the hospitality of its abbots were often sung; other hand, a few brothers were just left.

1537 Valle Crucis was dissolved as one of the smaller houses, though his wealth was certainly not comparable to the many English abbeys. Things of value migrated gradually into the surrounding village churches, and the system was left to itself. A house was inhabited in the late 16th century again, and in the 18th century, some houses have been provided with new roofs and used as a farm. Additional destruction finally began in the 19th century, when the building of the local population used as a quarry.

Mid to late 19th century first excavations and work was carried out to preserve the ruins. The dormitory houses a fine collection of medieval sculptures, and there is a small exhibition which brings to life the monastic life of the Cistercians of Valle Crucis.

The popular name " Kreuztal " probably goes to one of the famous high crosses of Wales, Eliseg 's Pillar, back, which measures almost three feet and still is in its place next to the abbey. The Latin inscription of the cross is from the 9th century, and states that it was built by Cyngen for his Ahn Eliseg; Cyngen died around 854 on a pilgrimage to Rome. Eliseg was apparently taken for the surrounding Eglwyseg Mountains and Rocks Eglwyseg as eponym in claim; he is said to have the land Powys exempt from the Saxons.

Buildings and plant

Today only the ruins of the abbey church and some outbuildings to see. The church is located in the north of the plant. She had a three-aisle nave to five bays of modest dimensions, a transept of the early (north transept ) and late ( south transept ) 13th century with two side chapels to the east and a rectangular choir with three lancet windows and about two preserved ( and dialed ) other windows. The cloister lies to the south (right) of the church; tetrastyle the chapter house was rebuilt in the 14th century. Above it lies the dormitory, the roof has been renewed.

Church portal

Church Interior

Arcade

Chapter house with dormitory

Chapter House