Cardiff
October 10th 2007 19:25
The name Cardiff is derived from the Latin Caer Didi, or Fort of Didius as it was called by the Roman General Aulus Didius who founded the first settlement and port here.
Situated on the Bristol Channel, Cardiff has long been one of the world's great sea ports. Its prosperity as a city, however, dates from the time of the Industrial Revolution and owes much to the Bute coal dynasty. In 1790, the then Marquis of Bute built Cardiff Canal and in 1839, the 3rd Marquis created the first Cardiff Dock. For a time Cardiff Docks were the busiest in the world while the Butes were the richest family in the world.
The Bute family also contributed a great deal to the develkopment of the city and to its architecture. The most striking examples of the Bute architectural legacy can be seen today in the fairy-tale Castle Coch and the opulent Cardiff Castle, which was rebuilt by the 3rd Marquis on the site of a ruined Norman castle.
Llandaff Cathedral, dating back to the 6th century, is another of Cardiff's great architectural landmarks. The first church was a small wooden building which was re-built in stone in Norman times, then fitted with stained glass windows, designed by the pre-raphaelite painters Edward Burne-Jones and Gabriel Rosetti in the early 20th century. Cardiff also has some fine examples of Victorian and Edwardian buildings such as the Civic Centre, the Law Courts and the OLd Library in Cathays Park in the city centre.
Alongside old Cardiff stand some stunning modern developments, such as the Millenium Centre, the purpose built Arts Centre, Mermaid Quay, a complex of shops reaturants and bars on the Millenium Waterfront, Cardiff Bay Barrage which runs across the rivers Taff and Ely to create 500 acre freshwater lake and of course, Millenium Stadium, built on the site of the legendary Rugby ground, Cardiff Arms. This 72, 000 capacity stadium, is one of Great Britain's most exciting engineering projects and has its only retractable roof.
Scattered among the old landmark buildings and starkly beautiful modern structures are small ,quaint pubs and shops, arcades and winding streets which are reminiscent of a village. And wrapped around the city with all its buildings and business, iare acres of beautiful parkland and stands of trees.
Cardiff, is really a city with something for everyone; parks, shops, pubs, restaurants, history, the ancient and the modern. It's definately worth a visit.
Situated on the Bristol Channel, Cardiff has long been one of the world's great sea ports. Its prosperity as a city, however, dates from the time of the Industrial Revolution and owes much to the Bute coal dynasty. In 1790, the then Marquis of Bute built Cardiff Canal and in 1839, the 3rd Marquis created the first Cardiff Dock. For a time Cardiff Docks were the busiest in the world while the Butes were the richest family in the world.
Cardiff Castle
The Bute family also contributed a great deal to the develkopment of the city and to its architecture. The most striking examples of the Bute architectural legacy can be seen today in the fairy-tale Castle Coch and the opulent Cardiff Castle, which was rebuilt by the 3rd Marquis on the site of a ruined Norman castle.
View of Cardiff from the Castle Keep
Llandaff Cathedral, dating back to the 6th century, is another of Cardiff's great architectural landmarks. The first church was a small wooden building which was re-built in stone in Norman times, then fitted with stained glass windows, designed by the pre-raphaelite painters Edward Burne-Jones and Gabriel Rosetti in the early 20th century. Cardiff also has some fine examples of Victorian and Edwardian buildings such as the Civic Centre, the Law Courts and the OLd Library in Cathays Park in the city centre.
Alongside old Cardiff stand some stunning modern developments, such as the Millenium Centre, the purpose built Arts Centre, Mermaid Quay, a complex of shops reaturants and bars on the Millenium Waterfront, Cardiff Bay Barrage which runs across the rivers Taff and Ely to create 500 acre freshwater lake and of course, Millenium Stadium, built on the site of the legendary Rugby ground, Cardiff Arms. This 72, 000 capacity stadium, is one of Great Britain's most exciting engineering projects and has its only retractable roof.
Cathedral and city street
Scattered among the old landmark buildings and starkly beautiful modern structures are small ,quaint pubs and shops, arcades and winding streets which are reminiscent of a village. And wrapped around the city with all its buildings and business, iare acres of beautiful parkland and stands of trees.
Parkland, Cardiff
Cardiff, is really a city with something for everyone; parks, shops, pubs, restaurants, history, the ancient and the modern. It's definately worth a visit.
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