On July the 2nd 2010, an addition was made to the wonderfully pretty Gwydir Forest, inspired by the medieval history that surrounds the enchanting town. Llanrwst boasts independent shops, a historic tea house, close proximity to Gwydir Forest and castle, as well as a choice of fantastic hotels in Llanrwst. The region is known as an absolutely wonderful place to visit for so many reasons, and the Medieval Sculpture Trail adds another to that list!
One of the sculptures on this trail pays homage to the outlaw poet and bandit Dafydd ap Siencyn, who lived in the forest with his band of followers and is known by many as the “Welsh Robin Hood.” Another sculpture consists of three 8-foot towers which were created from the trunks of ancient Oak trees from the area – which were inspired by a 15th Century poem that was written in praise of Dafydd ap Siencyn by Tudur Penllyn.
Titled “Derw dol yw dy drau di” (The Tall Oaks Are Your Fortress) the sculpture takes its name from one of the verses of Tudur Penllyn’s ode to the Welsh Robin Hood – the man which led a band of men to burn down the biggest garrison of Yorkish soldiers in North Wales.
Other sculptures on this fantastic trail are Llwybr y Ceirw (Path of the Deer) which stems from the legend that the inhabitants of Llanrwst fleeing their homes and seeking shelter within the forest spurred the forest’s deer to do the opposite – flee the humans which were seeking shelter by running to where they were not; relocating to the town themselves.
Additionally, visitors will be similarly entranced by Ysbardyn (Spur) by artist Megan Broadmeadow, who spent 18 months working in the area. The sculpture was inspired by the discovery of Dafydd ap Siencyn’s own riding spur, which is now displayed in St Grwst Church. Her sculpture, Ysbardyn, is a large wooden replica of the spur, which takes pride of place at the heart of the trail, along a pathway underneath ancient boughs, where it is believed that Dafydd ap Siencyn once enjoyed riding.
The sculptures, which stand in a proud position overlooking the town of Llanrwst, were commissioned by Cymru Lloegr a Llanrwst and the public art agency Safle. They are intended to represent the continuation and development of the area’s Welsh tradition that has it’s roots deep in the heart of the rich history of the Gwydyr forest.
