The capital of Wales, Cardiff is one of those cities that made a quick, yet beneficiary turn from a small town status, to the bustling atmosphere of a modern city. Cardiff made the jump from being a small town to a major port, during the 19th century, when it came to have a huge importance in commerce. Now it is not just a major core city, but a seat of culture and history, a city with a complete image.
The succession of the various rulers ever since the Roman times lay an imprint in the language spoken not only in Cardiff but in other parts of Wales too. In its linguistic history, there are Latin, Welsh, Norse and English, all fighting for dominance at specific times over the centuries. The Castles of Cardiff are also related to the various conquerors that ruled the country.
The Cardiff Castle Tower
The greatest part of any touristic tour at Cardiff would start with the castles. The Romans were the first to build a fortification that was later used and developed by the Vikings. The flourishing trade that made a name for the city was first established by the Vikings. They also used the city of Cardiff as a base for their raids. The Viking influence is still present in the street names like Dumballs Road.
Until the immense growth in Victorian times, Cardiff’s main language was Welsh, for instance the religious service was conducted in Welsh in ten of the twelve churches, and only two used English as the ceremony language. Now let’s have a look at the treasures of the land: the chain of castles that used to serve both Welsh and English in their fight for supremacy over the land.
The most well-known is Cardiff Castle, mostly developed during medieval times and later transformed into a Victorian mansion, it was founded on the remnants of a Roman fort. Some of the walls dating back to the third century can still be seen. The keep of the castle that tourists can still admire today dates back to the 11th century and it was erected by the Normans.
There is another castle situated to the north of the city and a must on a touristic tour. Known as the Red Castle, it was elaborately embellished and decorated during the Victorian era, but it is built on the footings of the castle of a regional baron, and goes back in time as early as the Middle Ages. Nowadays it is a favourite film location for television and cinema productions.
Castle Coch - The Red Castle
For any history hunter, a full visit to all of the castles in the area is a true joy. The density of the fortifications is due to Cardiff’s crucial strategic position in the area; there are: Cartell Morgraig, Bishop’s Castle, Y Twmpath Ruperra Castle or Saint Fagans Castle. A complete tour of Cardiff’s neighbourhood, is a true reminder of the times of feuds and battles, when securing your land was everything.
Now, let’s have a look at the other great touristic attractions Cardiff offers. One main district worth visiting is Cathays, full of old houses and imbued with a rich Victorian atmosphere. The University of Cardiff and many of the municipal buildings in the civic centre are situated around Cathays park, so a walking tour is highly recommended, as most of the sights are within close reach.
The Millenium Stadium
If you’re out for fun, then Cardiff is not short of options, particularly if you visit it at the time of the main festivals. The Big Weekend Festival is UK’s largest outdoor festival taking place yearly between July and August. Part of the events take place in the stone circles used by the bards in the old times. This is a must-see kind of event, as it is rather unique. Furthermore, one other main festival is the Cardiff Design Festival, that has developed into a very diverse exhibition highly appreciated by foreign visitors.
If you’re looking for special nightlife events, Cardiff won’t prove a disappointment. The Cardiff Bay area is recommended for bars and pubs where you can enjoy live music, or another great spot is St. Mary Street. You’ll definitely have to make a difficult choice, as the night scene is strong here and well fought for. Make the best of every minute.