STRATA Florida Abbey has made it into a list alongside some of the UK’s most historically significant buildings.

Known as the Westminster Abbey of Wales, Strata Florida Abbey, located just outside Pontrhydfendigaid and dating back to the 12th century, has been named in the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ list, Top 20 Historic Floors.

In support of the History at Your Feet campaign, launched to encourage people to be more aware of the importance of old floors, SPAB’s list names Strata Florida Abbey, which is cared for by Cadw, alongside the likes of Westminster Abbey and the Old Royal Naval College, both in London, and Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire.

The list says of Strata Florida Abbey: “Dating from the 12th century, the remains of the huge carved Romanesque west doorway give visitors a clue to how impressive this building must once have been.

“The plan of the church can still be clearly traced and, remarkably, some of its original richly decorated tiles are still intact. Two of the most well-known tiles are ‘Man with the Mirror’, said to warn of vanity, and a heraldic griffin.

“Known as the Westminster Abbey of Wales, Strata Florida Abbey was once a site of huge religious significance."

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