Llandaff Cathedral

This weekend, we stayed close to home. With just four weekends left for Kieron and me, we explored Cardiff. Saturday afternoon, we went to Llandaff cathedral, THE cathedral of Cardiff. Like all the other cathedrals in the UK, this is Anglican. And like all the cathedrals in the UK that were built before the reformation (that would be most of them), it started out as Catholic.
This is looking from the Lady Chapel down the nave toward the choir. The chapel dedicated to Mary, is usually at the "back" of the cathedral.
The cathedral was built on the site of a sixth century church. Construction began in 1170 with additions built in later centuries. Above, an ancient knight and a 19th century bishop lie interred.
Here is my favorite part, the altar in the Lady chapel.
This altar is very new--20th century. Much of the roof was destroyed in World War II and a lot of the Cathedral had to be restored. Look closer. There are twelve little alcoves with twelve little golden sculptures of flowers. All twelve of these represent wildflowers which in Welsh carry the name of Mary. There's briallu mair, which means Mary's primrose, which we call cowslip, and tapr mair, which means Mary's taper, but we call it a snowdrop. My favorite? Gold Mair, or Mary's gold. We call it marigold. Who knew?