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Tours > Wales > Amlwch and Parys Mines, Anglesey
Amlwch (Amluck) and Parys Mines, Anglesey
On the northwest corner of the island of Anglesey is the town of Amlwch, a port and resort town that for two centuries prospered from the nearby copper mines of Paryn Mountain. The mines were first worked by the Romans, but later dominated the world copper trade and set world prices for its product during the 18th and 19th centuries until overseas competition, exhaustion of the ores, and unstable prices brought the trade to an end just before the beginning of this century.
The mines had their own currency, and the busy port of Amlwch was also a ship-building center. It is now used mostly by vacationers with their pleasure boats. The church of St. Eilian has a 12th century tower; within its 15th century sanctuary there is a semicircular seat that supposedly brings good luck to those who can turn around in it without touching the sides (similar to the legend of St. Govan's Chapel, Dyfed). Parys Mountain now lies dismal, deserted and very much scarred by old mine workings. It can be reached on the A5025 from Menai Bridge.
Next Stop: Bangor
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