Abergavenny Museum — Attraction in Abergavenny

Abergavenny Museum: A Hidden Gem of History

Tucked away, discreetly out of sight, Abergavenny Museum stands, a treasure rare. In this quaint town, where history takes flight, Its halls house relics, tales for all to share.

Founded in the year of fifty-nine, This museum boasts a regal abode. A Regency building, a sight divine, Upon a motte, where Norman echoes bode.

Within its walls, a chronicle unfolds, From ancient times to present's vibrant hue. Displays abound, the story it beholds, Guiding visitors with knowledge anew.

Upon its levels, treasures can be found, Accessible to all, with aid in hand. A haven where the past and present bound, Enlightenment awaits, a wondrous land.

Abergavenny Castle, its grounds so fair, Nestled beside the museum with grace. A picturesque allure, a breath of air, A sanctuary for picnics to embrace.

The castle's motte, it whispers tales of old, Built in ten eighty-seven, they say. A wooden tower stood, a sight behold, With bailey hidden, structures in display.

In seventeen seventy-five, so grim, A Welsh rival met his fateful end. Within the hall, a murder, dark and dim, By William de Braose, his foe did send.

In twelve eighty-two, vengeance did arise, As Welsh kin sought justice for the slain. Though William fled, his men met their demise, Their capture marked the castle's grim refrain.

The keep, in ruins, fell to Richard's wrath, In twelve thirty-three, its fate was sealed. But stone was raised, rebuilding its path, From thirteen thirty-three, its strength revealed.

The towers rose, majestic and profound, In thirteen fourteen, fortifications vast. A testament to grants, their strength renowned, The town walls and towers, a visual contrast.

The gatehouse, with its barbican embrace, Added in fifteenth century's strife. As Wales fought Owain Glyn Dwr's fierce chase, Its doors were marked, a symbol of life.

Yet Civil War, its fury left its mark, In sixteen forty-five, destruction spread. The keep and buildings fell, cold and stark, But in eighteen nineteen, new life was bred.

The Marquess of Abergavenny's hand, Raised a building atop the motte so high. A home for history, a vision grand, Where museum's tales would touch the sky.

The journey of Abergavenny Museum, Began in nineteen fifty-nine's embrace. From visions born in nineteen three's bloom, A legacy, where artifacts find space.

So venture forth, seek wisdom through the door, Where history's tapestry unfurls its might. Abergavenny Museum, a gem to adore, A hidden haven, bathing in its...

Cradled among mountains, the border town of Abergavenny - an important stop on the St Thomas Way - brings you face to face with the medieval past. The town motto of Abergavenny (Welsh Y Fenni) is stitched into the great tapestry housed in the twelfth-century Tithe Barn (next to St Mary's Priory, now a visitor centre): 'Hostes Nunc Amici' or 'Enemies Now Friends'.

The motto reflects Abergavenny’s turbulent medieval history as a town in the March of Wales. No event represents the violence of this period as well as the Christmas Day Massacre of 1175, at Abergavenny Castle (the ruins you can see and explore surrounding the museum).

The Norman Lord William de Briouze (or Braose – an ancestor of the William de Briouze who hanged William Cragh in Swansea) invited a group of Welsh princes and other leaders to a Christmas feast. Instead of offering hospitality, Lord William had his men murder his guests, leading to his epithet ‘The Ogre of Abergavenny’ in medieval Wales.

A story like this throws us right into the blood and horror of medieval border conflict, and brings us face to face with the...

Been coming to Abergavenny for over 30 years and have never been to the castle Till now The tower complex consisted of two towers, one polygonal and the other circular. Evidence suggests that these towers were built in 1295-1314 at the same time as the town walls, using murage grants – a form of tax raised by the local Lord. The gatehouse is a typical barbican gatehouse. When the castle wall was first built, in the late 13th to early 14th century, the gate was a simple opening in the curtain wall. Unusual door features suggest that the gatehouse was added early in the 15th Century. At this time the last Welsh war of independence was being fought against Owain Glyn Dwr. The keep along with most of the other castle buildings, was destroyed in the Civil War, between 1645 – 1646. Bigger than I thought it would it’s easy to make out how impressive it once was Inside the castle grounds you can walk around at your leisure Nice place for a picnic in the summer Did not visit the castle...