Nestled in a grassy hollow near Llandaff Green, the cathedral is on the site
of a 6th century religious community founded by St. Teilo, Bishop of South
Wales. Unlike most Welsh churches, Llandaff is not named after a saint, but
rather the area in which it is located. The name translates as "Church on
the River Taff." The cathedral was begun in the 12th century but rebuilt
and modified over and over again throughout its history. During a bleak,
terrible night in January, 1941, a huge German mine exploded, destroying much
of the cathedral. It was not until the 1960's that restoration was completed.
The greater part of the present cathedral, including the nave and chancel
arcades, the West front and the chapter house was completed in 1250. They were
quickly followed by the Lady Chapel, which was erected during the bishopric of
William de Braose. Llandaff is unique among the cathedrals of Britain
as having no transepts A great deal of strengthening and rebuilding then took
place in the 14th century which lasted over 300 years.
During the 1960s restoration, the striking parabolic concrete arch that so
dominates the interior of the cathedral was completed by George Pace,
surmounted by a cylindrical organ case bearing a huge Christ in Majesty worked
in unpolished aluminum, by world-renowned sculptor Jacob Epstein. Behind the
high altar, the great Norman arch built by Bishop Urban in 1120 is also
dominant. The tomb of St. Teilo was restored in the 19th century. Of further
interest are the Illtyd Chapel, dedicated to the memory of the 53rd Welsh
Infantry Division; the Rossetti Triptych, a painting by Murillo Madonna and
Child, the Teilo Chapel, the Lady Chapel, and the lovely stained glass
windows from some of Britain's most distinguished post-war craftsmen and
artists. Also on display is a relic of the pre-Norman church, a 10th century
Celtic Cross that was hidden from Cromwell's soldiers but rediscovered in 1870
as part of a wall and now situated in the south aisle. In 1992 a new peal of
thirteen bells was placed in the northwest tower with each bell named after a
Celtic saint.