Penrhys

Penrhys
Y Ffynon Centre
Penrhys is located in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Penrhys
Penrhys
Location within Rhondda Cynon Taf
OS grid referenceST004951
Principal area
Preserved county
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townFerndale
Postcode districtCF43
Dialling code01443
PoliceSouth Wales
FireSouth Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Rhondda Cynon Taf
51°38′45″N 3°26′26″W / 51.645966°N 3.440613°W / 51.645966; -3.440613

Penrhys is a village in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, situated on a hillside overlooking both valleys of Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach. It is situated around 1,100 ft above sea level and is a district of Tylorstown. Until the late 16th century, Penrhys was an important Christian pilgrimage site.

The site of Penrhys has a rich religious history dating back to medieval times, though few settlements other than farmsteads can be traced to the area. Penrhys is significant for a medieval monastery, the shrine of "Our Lady" built at the holy spring of Ffynnon Fair. During the early 16th century the antiquarian John Leland wrote during his visit to the area that he saw "Penrise Village, where the Pilgrimage was",[1] suggesting that a settlement had built up in the area. In 1538 the shrine was destroyed during the English Reformation, and the area appeared to fall into decline. With the arrival of industrialisation in the Rhondda Valley during the 19th century interest in the religious history of Penrhys increased. An archaeological dig at the old chapel was carried out in 1912 and a new statue of the Virgin Mary was unveiled in 1953. In February 1927 the first burial took place at Penrhys cemetery.

  1. ^ Leland, John Itinerary of John Leland Vol.4, folio 55