St Cadfan's Church, Medieval church in Tywyn, Wales
St Cadfan's Church is a Romanesque structure in Tywyn with a cruciform layout, featuring an aisled nave, north and south transepts, and a tower at the west end. The building displays the architectural style typical of 12th-century construction with detailed stonework throughout.
The church was built in the 12th century but underwent a major change when its original central tower collapsed in 1693. A replacement tower was constructed at the west end, where it remains today.
The church houses the Cadfan Stone, a cross with inscriptions from the 9th century that preserves one of the earliest recorded texts in Welsh. Visitors can see this linguistic treasure directly and understand its connection to the region's heritage.
The church sits in the center of Tywyn within a walled churchyard accessible from multiple directions. Regular Anglican services take place here, so it is worth checking ahead to confirm the building is open for visitors.
Inside are two 14th-century stone effigies, including the 'Crying Knight' monument whose surface releases moisture when it rains due to mineral deposits. This natural phenomenon gives the monument an unusually moving quality that fascinates many visitors.
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