Cardiff city in south Wales is on the Taff River near its estuary on
the Bristol Channel. Cardiff is the capital of Wales and an important port. The
construction of the docks in 1839 by the 5th Marquis of Bute stimulated the
city's growth. The port includes the docks at Peknarth and Barry. There is also
a canal to Merthyr Tydfil, opened 1794, with a branch to Aberdare. Until the
early 20th century it was one of the largest coal-shipping ports in the world.
Cardiff was given city status in 1905, but it was not until 1955 that it was
declared the capital city of Wales by her Majesty the Queen, making it one of
Europe's youngest capital cities. Cardiff offers other rewards such as its
striking city-centre castle, important national museum and art gallery,
redeveloped docks area and pockets of beautiful architecture. Modern industries
include retailing, services, engineering, oil and gasoline distribution, and
food processing. Studios of the British Broadcasting Corporation are located in
Cardiff and are the centre of the Welsh-language broadcasting industry. Concerts
are held at St David's Hall, the International Arena and the University Concert
Hall. The Welsh National Opera has its home here, and there are two thriving
theatres, an arts centre and multi-screen cinemas.
Cardiff Castle, the residence of the Marquis of Bute until 1947, was first
built in 1090 on the site of a Roman Fort. Owen Glendower partly destroyed it in
1404. The third Marquis took advantage of the fortune amassed by his ancestors
to build Cardiff Castle on the medieval foundations within a Norman wall. He
enlisted William Burges as his architect to built the castle to include every
conceivable decoration possible within its interior. Robert, Duke of Normandy,
was imprisoned from 1126–34 in the castle.
In Cathays Park, the public buildings include the National Museum of Wales,
the Law Courts and City Hall. The University of Wales, a federal university, has
a constituent institution as well as its medical campus and the University of
Wales Institute in Cardiff. The former docks of Cardiff Bay are now a
multipurpose cultural centre. Llandaff, a notable medieval cathedral, has
been incorporated into the city of Cardiff from 1922. Parts of the parish church
of St. John date from the 13th and 15th centuries.
In addition, Cardiff is the sporting centre of Wales, offering a range of
facilities and events to please both competitors and spectators. Cardiff is home
to international rugby and speedway and provides the venue for a number of other
prestigious sporting events. League soccer is played at Ninian Park and
first-class cricket at Sophia Gardens. The huge Millennium Stadium sits in the
city centre like a UFO.
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