Rating
4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)
User Reviews
Lee Dickinson (10 months ago)
I visited St. Mary's Priory to learn more about the history of the building, admire the architecture, and other historical artifacts. Upon arrival I was greeted by a elderly lady who was very kind and helpful. She handed me a leaflet, which gave a brief description of all the artifacts and the history of the church, and advised me on which way to route to follow around the site. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.
I visited St. Mary's Priory to learn more about the history of the building, admire the architecture, and other historical artifacts. Upon arrival I was greeted by a elderly lady who was very kind and helpful. She handed me a leaflet, which gave a brief description of all the artifacts and the history of the church, and advised me on which way to route to follow around the site. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.
Pete / Hel (11 months ago)
The church has loads of history to it, only popped in as was in the area, and didn't know about the history of it, found this on the web, St. Mary's has been called "the Westminster Abbey of Wales" because of its large size, and the numerous high status tomb monuments and medieval effigies surviving within it. The church was designated as a Grade I listed building on 1 July 1952. The church has a notable collection of memorial effigies. The effigies are in wood, alabaster and marble and range in date from the 13th century to the 17th century. One effigy is that of John de Hastings, Lord of Abergavenny (died 1324) and shows him as a young knight, wearing a long surcoat over a hauberk and a hood of fine chainmail. The Jesse is an elaborate, very large, 15th-century wooden carving which would have once been part of an even larger carving forming a Jesse Tree telling the lineage of Jesus Christ based on that in the Bible. It is unique in Britain and described by Tate Britain as one of the finest medieval sculptures in the world. The art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon called it the one “unarguably great wooden figure” remaining from the Middle Ages. Although the Norman building was built around 1070, a previous Iron Age, Roman or Post-Roman structure existed on the site. Archaeological surveys have found significant finds of Samian ware pottery, and a church named "The church of the Holy Rood" is known to have existed in the town, but its exact location is not known. As all churches should be, it's free, definitely worth a visit if you like history.
The church has loads of history to it, only popped in as was in the area, and didn't know about the history of it, found this on the web, St. Mary's has been called "the Westminster Abbey of Wales" because of its large size, and the numerous high status tomb monuments and medieval effigies surviving within it. The church was designated as a Grade I listed building on 1 July 1952. The church has a notable collection of memorial effigies. The effigies are in wood, alabaster and marble and range in date from the 13th century to the 17th century. One effigy is that of John de Hastings, Lord of Abergavenny (died 1324) and shows him as a young knight, wearing a long surcoat over a hauberk and a hood of fine chainmail. The Jesse is an elaborate, very large, 15th-century wooden carving which would have once been part of an even larger carving forming a Jesse Tree telling the lineage of Jesus Christ based on that in the Bible. It is unique in Britain and described by Tate Britain as one of the finest medieval sculptures in the world. The art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon called it the one “unarguably great wooden figure” remaining from the Middle Ages. Although the Norman building was built around 1070, a previous Iron Age, Roman or Post-Roman structure existed on the site. Archaeological surveys have found significant finds of Samian ware pottery, and a church named "The church of the Holy Rood" is known to have existed in the town, but its exact location is not known. As all churches should be, it's free, definitely worth a visit if you like history.
Tim Tiley (2 years ago)
Wonderful new Jesse tree window above ancient Jesse wood carving. Very Impressive collection of medieval tombs of the powerful Herbert family
Wonderful new Jesse tree window above ancient Jesse wood carving. Very Impressive collection of medieval tombs of the powerful Herbert family
Sue Fiander (2 years ago)
Visited during our stay in Abergavenny. What a beautiful building, full of so much history
Visited during our stay in Abergavenny. What a beautiful building, full of so much history
Wendy Owens (2 years ago)
Popped in her today as was killing time before a hospital appointment. What a delightful place. We were shown around by a knowledgeable gentlemen who talked about the various aspects of the churches history. Would recommend this place
Popped in her today as was killing time before a hospital appointment. What a delightful place. We were shown around by a knowledgeable gentlemen who talked about the various aspects of the churches history. Would recommend this place
