Ianto's Shrine

Ianto's Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the fictional character Ianto Jones, located in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff. Established after the character's death in 2009, the shrine is visited by fans of Torchwood, who often leave tributes in the form of notes, photos, flowers, and memorabilia.

Background
Ianto Jones is a fictional character in the television programme Torchwood, a spin-off of Doctor Who. He was killed off in the third series of Torchwood, with the episode airing on 9 July 2009. He was a fan-favourite character; his death caused a strong reaction from fans of the show – writers were inundated by vitriolic messages, according to the writer James Moran.

Creation of the shrine
After Ianto's death, flowers were laid at a location in Mermaid Quay which had been used to depict the base of Torchwood, the eponymous fictional organisation featured in Torchwood; it soon became a shrine to the character. A memorial service for Ianto, organised by the "Save Ianto Jones" campaign, was held at the shrine in February 2010, with plaques presented to Mermaid Quay staff who had looked after the shrine. In 2011, the shrine was featured in an episode of Torchwood. A plaque was added to the shrine by Mermaid Quay management in 2012.

Continued existence
Ianto's Shrine is visited by Torchwood fans from around the world; many leave tributes in the form of notes, photos, flowers, and memorabilia. A common theme for tributes is LGBTQ stories, as Ianto was in a same-sex relationship in Torchwood; other memorabilia left at the shrine references Torchwood identity as a Welsh TV show. Many tributes are left by Carol-Anne Hillman, who has placed items on behalf of people who cannot visit since 2014, and also decorates the shrine for occasions such as Valentine's Day, Easter, and Ianto's birthday.

In May 2016, Torchwood actors Gareth David Lloyd (who played Ianto) and John Barrowman (who played Ianto's love interest, Captain Jack Harkness) visited the shrine during a visit to Cardiff. Barrowman visited again in 2021.