Cylchgronau Cymru

THE CAMBRIAN JOURNAL, ALB AN xe^^mm^' ELVED (autumnal equinox.) THE MONASTERY OF PEN RHYS AP TEWDWR. By William Llewellin, F.S.A., F.G.S., F.G.H.S., &c, &c. On the southern spur of the chain of hills known as Cefn Twyn Rhondda, which separates the two valleys of the Rhondda, and upon the elevated ground overlooking the beautiful and secluded valley of Rhondda Fawr, in the parish of Ystradyfodwg, are situated the few remains that still exist of the ancient monastery of Pen Rhys ap Tewdwr. Though one of the most beautiful in South Wales, and peculiarly interesting to the tourist or the fisherman, its remote and secluded situation caused it to be almost wholly overlooked, and seldom visited, so that the ruins of the monastery were little known to strangers. The most intelligent of our tourists have omitted any mention of it, and do not seem to have had their attention at all directed to it. The laborious and talented observer, Edward Llwyd, appears to have penetrated into this remote locality* at a period when a considerable portion i Phil. Trans., No. 335, p. 500.