Cadw Unveils Five Sculptures of Iconic Welsh Women in Cardiff Central Square 2026

Key Points:

• Five life-sized sculptures representing influential women from Welsh mythology, history, folklore, and industrial heritage have been installed in Cardiff Central Square.
• The public installation, titled ‘Women Through the Ages’, was commissioned by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service.
• The sculptures were designed and crafted by the Cardiff-based production company See What We Can Make.
• Visitors and passers-by are invited to sit beside the figures on public benches, take photographs, and learn about the historical contributions of women in Wales.
• The initiative aims to bring historical narratives into modern public spaces, balancing traditional historical focus on male rulers and battles with female leadership and resilience.

Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) July 29, 2026 – Visitors passing through Cardiff Central Square are now able to sit alongside five life-sized sculptures of iconic women from Welsh history and mythology. The public artwork installation, titled ‘Women Through the Ages’, highlights key female figures who played pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s cultural, historical, and industrial legacy.

Commissioned by Cadw, the official historic environment service for the Welsh Government, the project was brought to fruition by Cardiff-based creative workshop See What We Can Make. Positioned directly on public benches across the busy pedestrian hub of Central Square, the interactive statues encourage members of the public to interact with the figures, capture photos, and discover the historical background of each figure.

What Is the ‘Women Through the Ages’ Installation in Cardiff?

As detailed in official project documentation released by Cadw, the ‘Women Through the Ages’ initiative places five life-sized sculptures across Cardiff Central Square to provide an accessible connection to Wales’ heritage. The figures represent distinct eras, spanning medieval history, folklore, industrial development, and ancient Welsh mythology.

Rather than placing the statues on elevated pedestals, the project designers mounted the figures directly onto functional wooden benches.

This design choice allows pedestrians to sit next to the sculptures in a shared public space, offering a tangible link between contemporary civic life and historical memory.

Who Created the Sculptures for Cardiff Central Square?

As reported by Cadw representatives, the five detailed life-sized figures were conceptualised and constructed by See What We Can Make, a specialized creative studio based in Cardiff.

The design team focused on historical accuracy and distinct visual characteristics to reflect the background, era, and story of each depicted figure.

By placing the figures in one of the capital’s busiest transport and business hubs, Cadw aimed to ensure high visibility for local residents, commuters, and tourists traveling through central Cardiff.

Why Are Female Historical Figures Being Highlighted in Wales?

Historically, prominent public monuments and national historical narratives in Wales have frequently centered on medieval kings, princes, military commanders, and major battles.

As noted in Cadw’s public announcement, the ‘Women Through the Ages’ project was conceived to address this imbalance by highlighting the determination, leadership, courage, and resilience of women throughout Welsh history.

The installation aims to broaden public awareness of female contributions across different periods, demonstrating that the development of Welsh identity, industry, and culture was significantly shaped by women alongside traditional historical figures.

Background of the ‘Women Through the Ages’ Initiative

Public monument representation in Wales has historically seen a low percentage of statues dedicated to named non-fictional or historical women.

In recent years, public heritage bodies, civic organisations, and cultural initiatives across Wales have actively sought to celebrate female historical figures in urban public realms.

Cadw’s commissioning of the ‘Women Through the Ages’ bench installation represents a continuing effort by the Welsh historic environment service to bring history directly into everyday public environments.

By selecting Cardiff Central Square—a major pedestrian area surrounded by corporate offices, transport links, and media headquarters—the project integrates historical education directly into the urban routine of the city.

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How Will This Development Affect Visitors and the Local Community?

The installation of the ‘Women Through the Ages’ sculptures in Cardiff Central Square is expected to directly impact daily commuters, tourists, local residents, and educational groups in several distinct ways:

• Pedestrians and Commuters: Individuals traveling through Cardiff Central Square are provided with an interactive cultural experience during their routine commutes, turning a transit area into an educational space.
• Tourists and Visitors: Visitors to the capital obtain an immediate, accessible entry point into Welsh cultural history and folklore right upon arriving near the city’s central transport hub.
• Students and Youth: Local educational groups and younger generations gain visible historical role models within the public domain, fostering a broader understanding of female leadership and heritage in Wales.