Ysgyryd Fawr
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ysgyryd Fawr | |
|---|---|
 Ysgyryd Fawr from the north |
|
| Elevation | 486 metres (1,594 feet) |
| Location | Monmouthshire,  Wales |
| Range | Black Mountains |
| Prominence | 344 m |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 161 |
| OS grid reference | SO331182 |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Translation | sacred hill (Welsh) |
| Pronunciation | [ɐs'gɐɾɪd væuɾ] |
Ysgyryd Fawr is the most easterly of the Black Mountains in Wales, part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is 486 m high and lies just outside Abergavenny, near the English border. Its distinctive shape, comprising a long ridge orientated nearly north–south was caused by an ice–age landslip [1]. The Beacons Way passes along the ridge [2].
There is a rich mythology attached to the mountain [3][4], including a distinctive stone known as the Devil's Table.
Ysgyryd Fawr has belonged to the National Trust since 1939. The ruins of an iron–age hill fort and a mediæval Roman Catholic church lie at the summit. Rudolf Heß used to walk here when he was held prisoner at Maindiff Court during the early 1940s [3]. The name is sometimes anglicised to Skirrid Fawr, Skirrid or Skyrrid, and the mountain is also known as Holy Mountain or Sacred Hill.
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Surrounding area map from Google Maps
- Detailed topography from Ordnance Survey Get-a-map
[edit] References
- ^ Keith Rapado (2003-07-09). The Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr) Holy Mountain.
- ^ Beacons Way. Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.
- ^ a b Llanddewi Skirrid. Facts and Fiction of Skirrid Fawr. Retrieved on November 4, 2006.
- ^ Rhiannon (2005-03-08). Ysgyryd Fawr. The Modern Antiquarian.
