Country Article / Postcards
A legend for St. Patrick’s: Tragedy in the Welsh mountains
Date: 03/12/2007As you’d expect from a Celtic country, the mountains of Wales groan with superstitions. For example, the summit of Cader Idris mountain has a rocky hollow resembling a seat. Legend has it that if you spend all night in this seat, you’ll either be found dead, raving mad, or touched with poetic genius.
Wary of turning into a corpse—and perhaps even more wary about being reborn as some latter-day Dylan Thomas—visitors in search of myths these days are more inclined to head for Beddgelert. This village huddles below Snowdonia’s mountains in north Wales. In the Welsh language, Bedd means “grave.” Gelert was the favorite dog of Llywelyn, the last true Prince of Wales.
Dripping with blood
According to folklore, Gelert was left to guard Llywelyn’s baby son while the Prince went hunting. When Llywelyn returned, he found the cradle empty and the dog's mouth dripping with blood. Horrified, Llywelyn drew his sword and plunged it into Gelert’s side. Seconds later, the baby was discovered sleeping below the cradle—and a dead wolf lay beside him: Gelert had killed the wolf, not the boy. The Prince hurried back to his brave dog, who licked his hand as he died.
The story about Llywelyn and his dog may be true, but Gelert’s grave certainly doesn’t date back centuries. A savvy Victorian innkeeper created it in an effort to attract tourists to Beddgelert village.
A morbid curiosity in dead pets is not the only reason to come here, however. Beddgelert is in Snowdonia National Park and would make a good base for walks, mountain biking, climbing, or taking the rack-and-pinion railway up Mount Snowdon, the UK's highest peak south of the Scottish border. The largest man-made attraction within striking distance is Caernarvon Castle.
Four wheels will get you there
Public transport is not reliable and you would need a car to get here. Check the village website for more information: www.beddgelerttourism.com
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