Holy Wells

Holy wells were once very important to the Welsh people and that they existed in quite large numbers. Our pagan ancestors regarded wells, springs, lakes and rivers as the abodes of gods. No doubt a range of ceremonies were associated with them and they remained dear to the populace.

In the year 601 Pope Gregory instructed missionaries to destroy the idols of Britain but to purify existing temples. Ancient pagan sites, including wells, gradually came to be associated with the early missionary saints and almost 200 examples of Welsh churches are built at or near holy wells. 

Many of the wells were roofed and acquired small chapels with niches for statues of saints but over the centuries the upheavals in the religious life of Britain led to the desecration and destruction of many old shrines and the majority of the old well chapels disappeared.

As is often the way in Wales, some of the wells retained their ancient associations despite the religious and social upheavals of the centuries. Giants, demons (and sometimes women!) slew or were slain by saintly figures and even after the many hundreds of years in which Christianity had been the state religion, the wells were still associated with the ancient pagan beliefs of the Celts.

Use the 'View link on the Navigation bar on the right to find out about the Holy Wells in Pembrokeshire.