Castell Dinas Bran, Llangollen, and the Holy Grail. WelshBloke Walking
Links:
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell...
Today I'm visiting Castell Dinas Bran in Llangollen.
My walk starts here at the showground of the International Eisteddfod which is situated just outside Llangollen. This annual Eisteddfod attracts people from all over the world, and many famous people have performed here over the years including the amazing Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti
I'm starting at the car park here because it connects directly to the canal which is the path I'm going to use to get into Llangollen itself.
The Llangollen end of the canal will deposit me directly onto the Dinas bran path. I could of course have driven into Llangollen, but this way is much, much prettier.
and I just love this old barge horse, transport from a
byegone age still being used for the pleasure of visitors.
The Llangollen wharf with its gift shop and bustling tea room lets us know that we have arrived in the town.
Much as I'd like to stop for tea and cake, I have a castle to find, so I continue through and over the bridge
As I join the footpath, the weather takes a turn for the worse and it starts raining, so I shelter under some trees.
Through the rain, I get my first glimpse of Castell Dinas Bran. The rain eases slightly and I decide to go for it, but within minutes glorious sunshine breaks out again - That's Wales for you!
In fact, within five minutes it has become so hot I had to shed some clothing.
Inevitably, as soon as I had done so.... Yep! It started again.
Ah well, just keep going and hope for the best.
Dinas Bran is one of the few surviving Welsh-built stone castles, constructed in the 13th Century by Gruffudd ap Madoc, ruler of northern Powys.
It was said to be the seat of King Bran, Brân Fendigaidd, or Bran the blessed, was an ancient Welsh hero who was the son of Llyr and a descendant of King Arthur. It is said that the Holy Grail is buried beneath it.
King Bran is thought by some authorities to be an early Grail King, in one version of the legend, the Grail King is named as Bron. The association is strengthened by the similar wounds the two share, the grail King was wounded in the thigh and Bran in the foot:
With the help of the Holy Grail the king was cured, and in return for this cure offered to build a strong castle on top of a hill overlooking a fast-flowing river in which to house the Grail. Once the castle was finished a magic inscription appeared on the gates saying that this castle must be named Corbenic.
Dinas Bran is of course built on a high hill with the fast-flowing Afon Dyfrdwy below.
The clincher between the Grail Castle and Dinas Bran though is in the name Corbenic. Corbenic is an old French word meaning crow or raven, which in Welsh, is Bran so Dinas Bran is literally Corbenic, in Welsh.
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24 сен 2022