THE old expression ‘if walls could talk’ could be aptly used to describe many buildings across Powys.

Indeed with more than 70 Grade I listed buildings scattered across the county, many Powysians are never more than a walk away from history.

Together these buildings provide the patchwork of not only the history of Powys, but the entire country.

The County Times shares a few of our treasured monuments.

St Silin’s Church - Llansilin

The present building dates back to the 13th century and stands of Christian meeting place used since the Dark Ages.

The church is named in honour of Silin, a sixth century saint and abbot.

Llansilin Church. Picture by John Firth.

Llansilin Church. Picture by John Firth.

St Silin's Church in Llansilin. Picture by John Firth.

Why is it historic?

The wooden nave was rebuilt in stone after being damaged by the armies of Owain Glyndwr in the early 1400s.

During the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell's Roundheads used the church as a barracks and the south door for target practice with muskets.

It was also shot at by Royalist forces besieging the church; the door is still in use and still retains the bullet holes

The church was the only parish in the Welsh Marches to vote to leave the Church of England under the provisions of the Welsh Church Act of 1914.

The yew tree at Llansilin Church. Picture by John Firth.

The yew tree at Llansilin Church. Picture by John Firth.

The famous yew trees at Llansilin Church. Picture by John Firth.

Tombstones at Llansilin Church. Picture by John Firth.

Tombstones at Llansilin Church. Picture by John Firth.

Tombstones at Llansilin Church. Picture by John Firth.