St Hywel's Church

Located at Llanhywel, 4 miles north east of Solva , this church is on one of the old pilgrim routes to St David's and is dedicated to St Hywel. He was the son of Emyr Llydaw and the brother of St Gwyndaf who were forced to flee from Brittany after a family feud.

Legend claims that he was one of King Arthur's Knights, fighting with Arther against Sir Lancelot, and helping in his wars with the Romans. When he dies he was buried at Llanilltyd Fawr where he had previously studied.

There has been a religious settlement on this site since the 5th or th Century, and the early church would have been connected with monastic foundations in the area. The first church would have been constructed of timber or drystone, being small in size. The dimensions of the existing church suggest its ancient origins.

The present building was built between 1115 and 1280 by Bishop Bernard of St David's, the nave and chapel being built in the 12th Century and the vaulted chapel being built in the early 14th Century. Features of interest include the remains of the lepers' window in the south west corner of the sacristy, and a fine leaded window in the north chapel which dates from the 15th Century.

Outside the church, beneath the west window can be found a 6th Century burial stone inscribed in Latin with the words 'Rinaci Nomena', which mean 'the remains of Rinacus lie here'. This stone proves that a Christian community was in this area at that time.

Along the pilgrim's road out of Llanhywel towards St David's is Dowrog Common, which was once known as the Pilgrims' Land where medieval pilgrims could stay and rest after their long journeys. It was given to the church by Prince ap Tewdwr in 1080 for this purpose.