Porth-y-Tŵr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Porth-y-Tŵr |
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| General information | |
| Type | Bell Tower and Gatehouse |
| Address | Cathedral Close |
| Town or city | St Davids |
| Country | Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°52′52″N 5°16′00″W / 51.8810°N 5.2666°W |
| Renovated | 1929 (bell tower) |
| Type: | Grade I listed |
| Designated: | 1963 |
Porth-y-Tŵr (which means "Tower Gate" in Welsh) is an old building in St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It's a gatehouse and a bell tower that stands near the famous St Davids Cathedral. This special building is the only one left of four old gates that once guarded the walled area around the cathedral. The tower was built in the 1200s and is shaped like an octagon. Today, it holds the cathedral's bells.
Contents
Where is Porth-y-Tŵr?
Porth-y-Tŵr is located in the small city of St Davids, in Wales. It's very close to the main square of St Davids. It also stands near the main south entrance of the cathedral.
What Does it Look Like?
The bell tower part of Porth-y-Tŵr is about 60 feet (18 meters) tall. It has two floors and is shaped like an octagon. This part of the building is made of stone and has pointed windows. The gateway and the smaller round tower next to it are not as tall. They are built from rougher stone.
The building sits on a higher spot, looking down on the cathedral. There are 39 steps that lead down from the gateway to the cathedral below.
A Look Back in Time: The History of Porth-y-Tŵr
Porth-y-Tŵr is the only gate remaining from the four that once protected the area around St Davids Cathedral. This walled area, called the Cathedral Close, has been there since at least the 1100s. It was like a special fortress for the church. The bell tower of Porth-y-Tŵr was built in the late 1200s. The gateway and its southern tower were likely added in the 1300s.
What Was the Tower Used For?
The part of the building that is now the bell tower was once used by the bishops of St Davids. They held their court meetings there. It was also a place to keep important church records. The south tower and the rooms above the gate were used as a council room. There were even nice apartments for the mayor, which could be reached from the town side of the tower. Old maps from the 1700s show Porth-y-Tŵr and mention that the bishop's and mayor's courts were held there.
Restoration and Bells
By the 1900s, Porth-y-Tŵr was falling apart. In 1929, an architect named W. D. Caroe helped restore the octagonal tower. Money for this work came from someone who wished to remain anonymous.
In the 1930s, a set of bells was put into the octagonal tower. This was important because the original bells in the cathedral's own tower had been taken out in 1730. They were removed to stop the cathedral's tower from collapsing! In 2001, two more bells were added. These were given by friends of St Davids Cathedral from America.
Today, there are ten bells in total at Porth-y-Tŵr. They weigh from about 269 kilograms (593 pounds) to 1227 kilograms (2705 pounds). These bells are used for a special type of bell ringing called change ringing. You can even see one of the original cathedral bells on display at Porth-y-Tŵr.
In 1963, Porth-y-Tŵr was given a special status. It became a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historical site.
Images for kids
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Porth-y-Tŵr (also known as the Eastgate tower) before it was restored.
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The ruined Bishop's Palace with the Cathedral, Porth-y-Tŵr, and St Davids in the background.
