Daybreak Over The City

As I neared The Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport on an early morning call I could see low mist over the city so stopped at the park which is a high point over the city with lovely views. The photo I like best is of St Woolos Cathedral which is built on top of the hill next to the park.

Behind the Cathedral you can see The Royal Gwent Hospital and on the horizon is coastline of The Bristol Channel.

The name "Woolos" is a corruption of Gwynllyw, the 5th-century Welsh  saint who first founded a religious establishment on the site.
The present building has sections that date from Anglo-Saxon times. In the 9th century the wooden church formerly on the site was rebuilt in stone. This indicates the importance of the cult of Saint Gwynllyw and the wealth of his shrine as stone buildings were unusual in Wales at this point. Part of this building is now incorporated into St Woolos cathedral as the Galilee chapel now at the west end of the Cathedral. Circa 1050 the church was attacked by pirates and left in ruins.

It was badly damaged in 1402 when Newport was attacked by the forces of Owain Glyndwr and underwent a major rebuilding including the addition of the tower. It also seems to have been damaged in the English Civil War (cira1650).  It obtained full cathedral status in 1949.