High on a ridge between two valleys in the heart of the South Wales coalfield, a statue of Our Lady stands where pilgrims have come for over eight hundred years. Penrhys was one of the great Marian shrines of medieval Wales, its miraculous image drawing the faithful from across the principality to this wild hilltop above what would become the Rhondda Valleys. The Reformation destroyed the original statue, but it could not erase the memory of Our Lady of Penrhys from Welsh consciousness. In 1953, when a new statue was erected on the ancient site, thousands climbed the hill to welcome Mary back to her mountain.
The setting itself speaks of pilgrimage as journey and effort. Penrhys stands over 300 meters above sea level, accessible only by climbing from the valleys below. Medieval pilgrims would have approached on foot, ascending through woodland and moorland to reach the shrine. Modern pilgrims often arrive the same way, feeling in their legs and lungs the cost of pilgrimage that makes arrival meaningful.
The shrine's location in the Rhondda Valleys adds layers of meaning. This was the heartland of Welsh coal mining, where generations of Catholic families—many of Irish and Italian descent—worked the pits and raised their children in the faith. Our Lady of Penrhys watched over their labors from her mountain perch, and the shrine's revival coincided with the heyday of the coal industry. Today, with the mines closed and the valleys transformed, the shrine endures as a reminder that some things outlast industrial change.
📜 History & Spiritual Significance
The origins of Marian devotion at Penrhys are lost in time, but by the medieval period, a wooden statue of the Virgin and Child stood in a chapel on this exposed hilltop. The image was reputed to be miraculous, and pilgrims came seeking healing and favors. The shrine grew sufficiently famous to be noted in medieval Welsh poetry and to attract the attention of reformers seeking to suppress "idolatrous" devotions.
The statue was destroyed during the Reformation, probably in 1538 when royal commissioners toured Wales suppressing shrines and confiscating relics. The chapel fell into ruin; the pilgrimage ceased—or rather, went underground. Local people continued to revere the site, visiting the holy well near the chapel and preserving traditions about Our Lady's presence on the mountain.
The twentieth-century revival began in 1935, when a local priest, Fr. William Jones, began advocating for restoration of the shrine. The project gathered momentum after World War II; in 1953, the eighth centenary of the traditional founding date, a new statue of Our Lady of Penrhys was carved and installed on the site. Ten thousand people climbed the mountain for the dedication.
The new statue, carved by Jonah Jones, depicts Mary and the Christ Child in a style that blends medieval inspiration with modern simplicity. It stands in an open-air setting, exposed to the mountain winds and weather, as the original image was.
The shrine is now a pilgrimage destination for the Archdiocese of Cardiff and for Welsh Catholics generally. Annual pilgrimages maintain the tradition, though numbers have fluctuated with the decline of the valleys' population.
☩ Pilgrimage Sites at Penrhys
Statue of Our Lady of Penrhys
The 1953 statue by Jonah Jones stands on the site of the medieval shrine, at the highest point of the ridge. The open-air setting means that pilgrims encounter Our Lady against the backdrop of sky and mountain—a visceral experience of Mary's presence in the Welsh landscape.
The statue's location is marked by a simple enclosure; nearby information panels explain the shrine's history. The wind and weather that pilgrims endure here are part of the experience.
Ffynnon Fair (St. Mary's Well)
The holy well, near the statue site, has been venerated since the Middle Ages. Pilgrims drank from the well and believed its waters had healing properties. The well was traditionally used for eye complaints. It can still be visited, though access may require local guidance.
Llantrisant Catholic Church (Our Lady of Penrhys)
The parish church dedicated to Our Lady of Penrhys in nearby Llantrisant serves as a base for organized pilgrimages and Masses associated with the shrine.
🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations
Annual Pilgrimage to Penrhys — Summer
The main pilgrimage event, typically held in July or August, draws Catholics from across South Wales for Mass at the shrine site.
Our Lady of Penrhys Feast Day
Special liturgies honor Our Lady under her local title.
Rosary at the Shrine
Groups organize Rosary recitations at the shrine during the pilgrimage season.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Pontypridd Hotels — The nearest town (10 km) offers various accommodation options.
Cardiff Hotels — The Welsh capital (25 km) provides extensive accommodation.
Rhondda Valley B&Bs — Local guesthouses in Tonypandy, Porth, and Treorchy.
🚗 Getting There
By Car: Penrhys is located between the Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach valleys. Access from the A4058 or A4233. The statue is located in the Penrhys housing estate; local signs direct to the shrine.
By Train: The nearest stations are Porth and Tonypandy on the Rhondda Line from Cardiff. From the stations, taxi or steep walk to Penrhys.
On Foot: The traditional pilgrim approach was on foot from the valleys below. Modern pilgrims may walk from Llwynypia or Tylorstown, ascending the ridge paths.
By Car: Approximately 30 minutes from Cardiff via A470 and A4058.
📚 Further Reading
Peter Lord. The Visual Culture of Wales: Medieval Vision — Context for medieval Welsh religious art and shrines.
🔗 Useful Links
Archdiocese of Cardiff — Diocesan information and pilgrimage announcements.
Our Lady of Penrhys Parish — Parish website.
🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations
Cardigan (80 km) — National Shrine of Our Lady of the Taper.
St. Davids (100 km) — Cathedral and shrine of Wales' patron saint.
Holywell (150 km) — St. Winefride's Well.
🪶 Closing Reflection
"He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly." — Luke 1:51–52 (NABRE)
