Intricately crafted steel gates, commissioned by Cadw for £25,000, will welcome visitors to St Davids Bishop’s Palace this summer.

The seven foot sculpture, the latest from Tintagel Gallos creator Rubin Eynon, features a number of interpretive details designed to reveal clues to the 700-year old site’s lavish history – a tale dominated by the power and wealth of its medieval bishops.

Intricately cast bells reflect the palace’s neighbouring cathedral, while checkerboard details hark back to the original quartz stonework found on the palace walls.

The piece took 600kgs of steel and five months to create. It was carefully crafted by Llanbradach blacksmith Glen Adams, using both traditional forging and contemporary laser cut techniques, to allow maximum precision for the gate’s minute details.

The structure has been carefully manoeuvred into position at the original palace entrance, offering a fresh welcome to the site’s modern visitors.

“St Davids Bishop’s Palace is famed for its status as home to one of the richest and most powerful religious orders of the day,” said designer Rubin Eynon.

“The bishop’s power was nowhere more apparent than in the lavish style in which they built the palace, and I want these new gates to help modern day visitors get a sense of that extravagance from the moment they arrive at this magnificent site.

Visitors can enjoy the gates as part of a visit to St Davids Bishop’s Palace, which is open daily throughout the summer.

For site opening times, prices, and more information, visit www.gov.wales/cadw.