Former Bishop’s Palace, Abergwili

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Now home to Carmarthenshire Museum, this building was a college from c.1291 to 1541. The college, dedicated to Saints Maurice and Thomas, was founded by Bishop Bek of St Davids, a former Oxford University chancellor. His Oxford background may have influenced the design of the building’s cloistered courtyard, now covered by a roof to form a hall.

Drawing of Abergwili bishop's palace c.1820The college moved to Brecon in 1541, after which the building became the bishop’s main abode. At this time there were plans to replace the cathedral in St Davids, in the remote western tip of Wales, with a cathedral in Carmarthen. The bishop’s palace in St Davids was left to decay and is now maintained as an historic ruin.

The engraving shows the building c1820 and the photo, by Charles Smith Allen, dates from 1871. Both images are courtesy of Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – the National Library of Wales.

Photo of Abergwili Bishop's Palace in 1871One of the bishops who lived here, Richard Davies, helped William Salesbury to produce the first Welsh translation of the New Testament, from 1563 to 1567. Salesbury is commemorated on this memorial in his home village of Llansannan, in North Wales. The font where Davies was baptised survives at the church in Gyffin, Conwy, where his father was curate.

The building was modified many times over the following centuries. Various outbuildings were added in the extensive grounds. They include the lodge, built in early Victorian times. In 1903 a fire damaged the building, which was rebuilt and continued as the bishop’s residence until 1972.

The building is now the Carmarthenshire Museum. Objects on display tell the story of the county across the centuries. Inside, the bishops' chapel is also open to visitors.

Postcode: SA31 2JG    View Location Map

Carmarthenshire Museum website - visitor information, including opening times