Llandovery

infobox UK place
country = Wales
welsh_name= Llanymddyfri
constituency_welsh_assembly= Rhondda
map_type=
official_name= Llandovery
latitude= 51.9913
longitude= -3.7033
population= 2870 (2001) [ [http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=5939730&c=Llandovery&d=14&e=16&g=416632&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=75,|2001 Census: Census Area Statistics: National Statistics. UK government. Retrieved 14 August 2007. Total for Llandovery Ward.] ]
unitary_wales= Carmarthenshire
lieutenancy_wales= Dyfed
constituency_westminster= Rhondda
post_town= LLANDOVERY
postcode_district = SA20
postcode_area= SA
dial_code= 01550
os_grid_reference= SN763346

Llandovery ( _cy. Llanymddyfri) is a market town in Carmarthenshire, Wales, lying on the River Tywi and the A40 road.

The town is served by Llandovery railway station.

Roman fort

The Roman fort was known to the Romans as Alabum, who built a fort on Llanfair Hill around AD 50 to 60 as part of their strategy for the conquest of Roman Wales.

Norman and medieval castle

Attractions in the town include the remains of Llandovery Castle, built in 1110 and almost immediately captured by the Welsh, changing hands between Normans and Welsh until the reign of King Edward I of England. The castle was used by King Henry IV while on a sortie into Wales when he executed Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan in the marketplace and later attacked by the forces of Owain Glyndŵr in 1403, and has stood as a ruin ever since.

Welsh hero

A convert|16|ft|m|sing=on high stainless steel statue to Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan was unveiled in 2001 on the north side of Llandovery Castle, overlooking the place of his execution six hundred years earlier. He had led the army of King Henry IV on 'a wild goose chase' under the pretence of leading them to a secret rebel camp and an ambush of Glyndŵr's forces. King Henry lost patience with him, exposed the charade and had him half hanged, disemboweled in front of his own eyes, beheaded and quartered - the quarters salted and dispatched to other Welsh towns for public display.

The statue won a national competition to choose a suitable design, the winner being that of Toby and Gideon Petersen, funding was from the National Lottery and the Arts Council of Wales.

Other attractions

Also in the town are a charity-run theatre [http://www.llandoverytheatre.com (Llandovery Theatre)] , and a heritage centre. Tourists and bikers often stop in town, especially at the cafe opposite the castle ruins, on their way through Wales on the A40. Llandovery College is also within the town.

The town is situated close to the Carmarthen Fans, a scenic mountain range within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The Physicians of Myddfai practiced in the area, healing subjects with their herb lore and potions as well as their mystical powers and insight into the human condition.

Llandovery is also the place where one of the first independent Welsh banks, The Black Ox, was established by a wealthy drover (later to become part of Lloyds TSB bank). The building is part of the King's Head inn which was the home of The Bank of the Black Ox. [http://www.wales-llandovery-hotel.co.uk [Kings Head Inn] .

Llandovery is home to the Rugby Union team Llandovery RFC.

Famous people

Famous people associated with Llandovery include outlaw Twm Siôn Cati and hymn writer William Williams.

Llandovery is twinned with Pluguffan, France.

Nearby places

The Dolaucothi Gold Mines are located convert|10|mi|km away near Pumpsaint on the A482. The site of a Roman Gold Mine.

The small and pretty village of Myddfai is located four miles (6 km) to the south east. The Fan Brycheiniog or Carmarthen Fans, part of the Brecon Beacons National Park lie nearby.

The Llyn Brianne dam is convert|12|mi|km to the North located in rugged and impressive countryside. On the picturesque journey to the dam via Rhandirmwyn, visitors also pass the site of Twm Sion Cati's Cave. The walk along the river and in the woods are impressive and unspoilt.

References