The city lies on the River Alun, on Saint David's peninsula in Pembrokeshire. It is the only UK city to lie entirely inside a national park - the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
At the heart of the city is St. David's Cathedral, which was a popular place of pilgrimage from the Middle Ages. Next to the cathedral are the ruins of the Bishop's Palace, built in the 14th century.
St. David founded the city in around 550 AD. Other popular attractions include the Celtic Old Cross, the 13th century Tower Gate, and a scattering of art galleries.
However, it wasn't always a respected site. The city was attacked and destroyed many times, and bishops Moregenau and Abraham were killed in separate attacks by marauding Vikings. In 1089, following the Norman invasion, David's shrine was vandalised and stripped of its precious metals.
In 1115 Bishop Bernard was appointed to the city by Henry I. Eight years later, after blessing from Pope Calixtus II, St David's became a designated destination for pilgrims, although it had long attracted believers, including William the Conqueror in 1081.
Dedicated to St. Andrew and St. David, the cathedral is one of Britain's oldest. Construction of the present building began in 1191, though it has suffered damage and been rebuilt many times over the centuries.
The square central tower collapsed in 1220, but was soon rebuilt, and in 1247 or 1248 the building damaged by an earthquake. However, it was gradually rebuilt, restored and expanded, with St Mary's College being appended in 1365, and the building of the Lady Chapel between 1328 and 1347. Construction of the Holy Trinity Chapel took place between 1509 and 1522, and the nave roof and ceiling were built from 1530-40.
The site suffered in 1538 at the hands of Bishop Barlow, who stripped the cathedral of its jewels. He also confiscated the relics of St. David and St. Justinian in an attempts to counteract superstitious beliefs. 110 years later, the building was mostly destroyed by parliamentary soldiers.
However, in 1793 the Welsh architect John Nash was commissioned to rebuild the ageing west front. It was followed between 1862 and 1877 by Sir George Gilbert Scott's restoration, and in the early 20th century the Lady Chapel and eastern chapels were restored.
In 1995 Queen Elizabeth II conferred city status to St. David's, making it the smallest city in the United Kingdom. In 2002 St. David's hosted the National Eisteddfod.