SAINT FAGANS

Very specific is an open air Welsh museum known as Saint Fagans where one can get acquainted with national history and culture, customs and traditions, arts and crafts of Wales.

The museum appeared on the site in 1946, thanks to the Earl of Plymouth who donated a late 16^th century manor house to the Welsh people. In only two years it opened its doors to the visitors under the name of the Welsh Folk Museum. Today it is one of the most original museums in Wales and lots of tourists come to see it daily. The museum consists of more than 40 buildings which reflect the architectural peculiarities, characteristic of this part of the UK. All the buildings that are on display in the museum have been taken from various sites of the land to become part and parcel of the complex. It comprises Saint Fagans castle, Celtic village, “House of the Future”, two working Watermills (a flour mill and a wool mill), medieval parish church of St.Teilo, working blacksmith’s forge, small nice livestock breeding farm, etc. The numerous gifts and souvenirs bearing the stamp of national identity of the Welsh people are available for sale.

The church is the latest building acquired by the museum. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Roman Williams came to open it two years ago in October 2007. Saint Fagans museum helps comprehend the details of rural and industrial life of Wales.

The museum’s galleries with changing exhibitions give an insight into all the versatility of the Welsh life which embraces the present, the past and the future of Cymru. The Welsh language is widely used by the native speakers in the museum. Saint Fagans is also famous for the annual Everyman Open Air Festival – a kind of theatrical performance in various genres.