Cilmery: Memorial and Llywelyn's Well

The monument in Cilmeri marks the place where Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last native Prince of Wales, was killed on 11 December 1282. The memorial site therefore refers to a clearly defined event: the place, date and historical figure are connected. This offers a specific way into the medieval history of Wales.

Monument and remembrance

The monument itself also has a timeline. A stone obelisk was first erected in 1902; a granite block replaced it in 1956. The dates mark different stages in the memorial's history: first the erection of the obelisk, then its replacement. The timeline thus separates three layers: the killing in 1282, the erection in 1902 and the replacement in 1956. Today's memorial commemorates a medieval event, but it also has a history of its own, spanning later centuries.

A ceremony is held each year on the anniversary of his death. Flowers are often laid as part of the commemoration around 11 December. The anniversary provides a fixed historical point of reference for remembrance. If you wish to attend the ceremony, check the specific event date before travelling.

The memorial site is beside the road, has a lay-by and has no facilities. Take the lack of facilities into account when planning your visit.

Llywelyn's Well

At Llywelyn's Well, a bilingual slate plaque tells a legend. The inscription is in Welsh and English and states that, according to legend, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd's head was washed there. Identifying this as a legend is important for context: it conveys a local storytelling tradition, while the monument marks a precisely dated historical site. This helps distinguish folklore from a historical memorial site.

The well can be reached from the opposite side of the monument grounds via a steep path and a flight of steps. If you wish to visit Llywelyn's Well, take this route into account when planning your visit. The slope and steps are an explicit part of the access route.

A metal cover protects the well; it can be lifted to reveal the water beneath. As its physical condition may change, check before your visit.

Medieval fabric in Llanganten

In Llanganten, St Cennen's Church preserves parts of its medieval fabric. Here, the focus is on surviving architecture; at the monument in Cilmeri, the historical site and its later history of commemoration take centre stage. These two subjects offer different perspectives on medieval Wales: ecclesiastical architecture on the one hand, and the remembrance of a historical event on the other. A 12th-century font is the church's only medieval furnishing.

Discover more destinations: Glasbury, Llanfyllin, Llansantffraid, Llanbedr, Knighton, Carreghofa, Llandrindod Wells, Garthbrengy

For the wider travel overview: Powys.