This document details the history of many sites along the Cistercian Way route.

The Cistercian Way in Wales is a pilgrimage route rich in history and spiritual significance, following the footsteps of the Cistercian monks who shaped the religious landscape of the region. This path connects a remarkable collection of churches, abbeys, holy wells, and monument such as Our Lady of Penrhys Shrine, each contributing to the region's deep spiritual and cultural heritage. Along the Cistercian Way, you’ll find churches such as St. Asaph Cathedral, St. Mary’s Church in Llanfair Caereinion, and St. Tudno’s Church in Llandudno, which serve as reminders of early Welsh Christianity and the monastic presence that once flourished in these areas. These sacred spaces, some with roots dating back over a thousand years, were once central to the lives of Cistercian monks who sought to live a life of prayer, labour, and contemplation. The holy wells along the route are equally significant, with places like St. Winefride's Well in Holywell and Ffynnon Dyssilio near Bryn Eglwys offering a sense of continuity with the ancient practices of healing and pilgrimage. These wells, often associated with saints like St. Trillo, St. Dyfnog, and St. Beuno, were places of spiritual renewal and physical healing for medieval pilgrims and remain sites of devotion today. The route also passes near the ruins of important Cistercian monasteries like Tintern Abbey, Strata Marcella Abbey, and Strata Florida Abbey where the monks lived and worked. These monasteries, along with other smaller sites such as Gwydir Uchaf Chapel and Aberconwy Abbey, stand as poignant reminders of the once-thriving Cistercian presence in Wales, marking key points in the monastic journey. A link to the Map below but one is also on the front page.