Cardiff Information

Capital of Wales since 1955, Cardiff is Europe's youngest capital city yet has a proud heritage as one of the world's great seaports. Today it is an exciting city to visit, with Victorian and Edwardian architecture alongside innovative new developments

Cardiff originated in Roman times, and its name is derived from the Roman general Aulus Didius. Caer Didi, means ‘Fort of Didius'. Its development and wealth began with the industrial revolution, and much of its prosperity is due to the Bute family who moved into the area in 1766. In the 1790s they built the Cardiff Canal, which joins the city with Merthyr Tydfil. The Welsh valleys were rich sources of coal and helped the city's prosperity.

The docks were built from 1839 onwards, and soon coal and iron were being exported from here, making Cardiff one of the busiest and most prosperous ports in the world.
There are many places of interest to explore. Llandaff Cathedral is a fascinating mix of different ages and styles – it was founded in a simple wooden building in the 6th century and built in stone in Norman times, and since then has been ruined and restored several times. Inside there are some interesting stained glass windows and panels, thanks to the Pre-Raphaelite artists Edward Bume-Jones, Gabriel Rossetti and the firm of William Morris whose work was commissioned in the Victorian restoration. Epstein's modern statue ‘Christ in Majesty' dominates the nave.

Cardiff Castle is built on the foundations of a Roman fort. Additions were made during Norman times, and the moat and keep survive today.There is a Neo-Gothic Victorian mansion, with lavish decorations, murals, carvings, gilding and stained glass.
Castle Coch is a medieval fairytale castle with towers and turrets. The Civic Centre is an impressive Edwardian building and the domed roof of City Hall is crowned with a dragon, the national symbol of Wales.. See more interesting architecture in Cathays Park. The National Museum and Gallery house all sorts of interesting things, including a wonderful collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. Visit the Museum of Welsh Life to see more than 30 reconstructed Celtic buildings.
The Millenium Stadium is an impressive structure, attracting over 1.3 million visitors a year, can seat over 72,000 and is Europe's largest undercover venue.

Cardiff Bay has various attractions including Techniquest Science Discovery Centre, with 160 interactive exhibits and Planetarium, and the Wales Millennium Centre, an arts centre and the home of the Welsh National Opera, with a 1,900-seat auditorium.
Children will like the Centre for Visual where they take part in fun, hands-on arts-related activities. Or take them to Atlantic Wharf Leisure Village for more entertainment.
Today Cardiff is thriving, with new industry and businesses to replace the dwindling dock trade. It has an excellent University, an exciting night life, and is the home of the Welsh Assembly. There are international restaurants as well as traditional Welsh food.