Attractions & Landmarks The Arts & Makers
Plen-an-Gwari
Opening Times
Outdoor space open year round
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The Plen-an-Gwari is Cornish for ‘Playing Place’ or ‘Place of the Play’. The English spelling is Plain-an-Gwarry and the middle spelling is Plen-an-Gwary which is seen on the Plen itself.
Cherished by locals the Plen is one of only two surviving original medieval amphitheatres of scores believed to have been constructed across Cornwall to perform religious community miracle plays in the Cornish language.
Texts and stage plans from the Ordinalia Cycle of plays performed in this space from the late 14th century are among the oldest theatrical documents in Europe.
Throughout history and still to this day, the Plen is a place for competitions, celebration, fetes, music, dance, theatre, and since 1997 the annual Lafrowda festival.