Llyn Celyn is a large reservoir constructed between 1960 and 1965 in the Tryweryn valley in North Wales.
It is 2½ miles long by 1 mile wide, and has a maximum depth of 43 meters [140 feet]. It can hold 71,200 mega litres of water.
The reservoir is contained behind a rock gravity dam.
Construction of the reservoir involved flooding the village of Capel Celyn and adjacent farmland. When the valley was flooded in 1965, the village and its buildings, including the post office, the school, and a chapel with cemetery, were all lost. Twelve houses and farms were submerged, and 48 people of the 67 who lived in the valley lost their homes. In all some 800 acres of land were submerged.
Many of the stones from the original chapel were re-used in the construction of the Tryweryn Memorial Chapel, at the Bala end of Llyn Celyn.
Families who had relatives buried in the cemetery were given the option of moving them to another cemetery. Consequently, eight bodies were disinterred and the remainder left. The removed headstones are located near the memorial chapel.
But nature has a way of renewing herself and, fifty years on, the tranquil beauty of this area is enchanting and strangely haunting. And when I need to find myself, you will find me here in this oasis of calm and tranquillity.
But “Hush!” Is that the wind rustling in the trees?
Or is it the chapel bell tolling out beneath the waters of Llyn Celyn?
Originally posted on my previous site.
Welcome to My World 
I have been to Snowdonia and seen some of the reservoirs. I did the touristy thing of riding the Snowdon Mountain Rainway–I could not pass up the little trains of Wales when I came across them.
I went up Snowdon on the steam train last year for the first time and thought it was amazing. I love Snowdonia – so much to see and do and all within an hour of my home. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. By the way, I love your beautiful cats. I have several of my own and they are my babies.
Once again it was in the 70’s i did that. I watch your blog to see what has changed from when I was there.
I love your photos! So beautifully captured. 🙂
Thank you, Amy 🙂
Very interesting post, thanks Elisabeth ♥
Bless you, Jean-Paul.
Gorgeous and stunning photo’s..Izzy. Thank you also for the story behind it. your last lines gave me a shiver .. ❤
Thank you, dear Francina, for your lovely comment. It’s lovely to reconnect with old friends. Bless you.
You make me itch to hop on a plane! I’ve read about wales but don’t know anyone who has been there. It certainly does look magical through your eyes, Izzy!
Thank you, Melody. It is beautiful to me. Lovely to hear from you. Love and blessings ❤❤❤
Beautiful photos of beautiful Welsh countryside, we have been to Bala, but never seen the chapel, will have a look next we visit 🙂
Thank you, Llyn Celyn is only 2 or 3 miles from Bala on the Porthmadog/Trawsfynydd road through the mountains. You’ll see the dam first on the right hand side. Then drive for about a mile or more alongside the lake. The chapel is quite hard to find, so you need to drive slowly or you’ll miss it. There’s a small parking place, then you walk down a short track to the lake and the chapel is directly in front of you. The graveyard is on the left, just before the chapel. It’s particularly photogenic when the foxgloves are out.
Thank you, I have copied your lovely directions for our next visit, unfortunately not until summer 2018, but the way time is flashing by at the moment…..it’s not too far away 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous, Angel.
Thank you, dear Genie. You’re so kind
Wat een pracht foto’s en reportage
Hartelijk dank voor uw mooie reactie.
Thank you very much for your lovely comment.