Image: The Heading new
This Is Our History Of Penrhys..
Enjoy What You Read Here..
Image: Blessed virgin Mary
The history of Penrhys is shrouded in both myth and mist,
and attempts have been made to strenuously bury and deny
the truth of a village and Shrine which became,
for hundreds of years, the most significant meeting place in Wales.
At Hirwaun (from Hirwaun Wrgan, which means Gwrgan`s long meadow),
at the end of the eleventh century, a battle was fought between
Iestyn ap Gwrgan, with his Norman allies, and
the forces of Rhys ap Tewdwr, Prince of Dynevor.
Rhys fled from the battle and was captured and beheaded
at Penrhys in the Rhondda Valley, where a monastery
was later built over his burial site.
The Shrine of Saint Mary became the "Lourdes" of western Europe.
It was celebrated as a place of great healing, with a sacred well,
a spring which gushed "white wine", giant Welsh oaks,
and a standing chapel, tall and handsome, with
candles "fathoms tall", burning to the glory of God.
If all else failed, a poor soul could always take
his or her ailing body or fading dream to Penrhys.
Image: a miner
Penrhys has always been a village of working people.
There is evidence that flax, barley, and other crops
were grown successfully on the hills around Penrhys.
The monks certainly had a hostel, bakery and workshops.
Part of the present estate was built on top of
the ancient pilgrims' hostelry.
In recent history, Penrhys coal mine was worked,
and a small quarry near the "little church",
plus odd earth configurations provide scant
evidence of the once major industry.
Image: The Site
PENRHYS
The Penrhys Site was first developed in 1966,
but was officially opened in 1968,
and had 951 houses when finished.
As for the Site today....
In this picture you will see that
there are many houses demolished:
there are about 300 houses left.
Penrhys is at the peak of a mountain.
It is 1100ft above sea level.
It's a great view when looking down into the valley.
It also has Mary's Well on the side
of the mountain, and Mary's statue.
Both attract many visitors per year.
Image: The Lady Of Penrhys
This is a black & white photo of: THE LADY OF PENRHYS
She stands high on the mountain.
Many visitors per year flock to see her.
This photo was taken in 1997.
Now, it is to be restored by the local community.
Prior to the Suppression of Pigrimages and Relics in 1538,
Penrhys was as is Lourdes today.
No place in Wales had greater fame.
"The whole of Christendom who are believing in the Bread and Wine,
there, at St Mary's they are receiving it."
The fame rested upon the curative powers of the Holy Well.
Penrhys was the most famous well dedicated to St Mary,
having a tremendous reputation for healing.
The Holy Waters "foamed from a spring atop a hill,
and white wine ran in the rill."
A statue of the Virgin and Child is said
to have appeared miraculously in the
branches of an oak tree near to Ffynnon Fair.
Image: The Boiler House
This Is The Boiler House, which is at the top of Penrhys.
When the site was first built, it was used for
keeping all the houses warm in the Winter months.
Since then it has been used by PITEC
for computers & electronics;
and after that, for THE PENRHYS YOUTH CLUB.
It's a run-down building we now hope to regenerate,
to provide workshops, entertainment and sports facilities,
and to be the new base for RHONDDA RECORDS.
A Boilerhouse Committee has been formed,
and is engaged in drawing up plans with RCT
which we hope will lead to a Community purchase
... and give the Rhondda (and Wales) renewed hope!!!
Two warrior Princes were buried in a sitting position on Penrhys..overlooking their home.
In the early part of the 20th Century, a team of archeologists dug them up.
We wondered.. if anyone knew what happened to them?
Where are the bodies of The Guardians of The Rhondda?
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