The town of Rhuthun (English: Ruthin), in the valley, has existed for at over two millennia, since at least the Roman occupation. The street plan is distinctly mediæval and defences from that era, including the castle, remain.
The lens slightly diminishes apparent distances, making the town seem closer than the actual 4½ km to the church spire. Similarly, the sunlit floor of the Vale of Clwyd is 3 km wide at Ruthin.