There is one city in Great Britain to display what local patriotism means though in the heart of a Kingdom. It invites its visitors to feel its history with their eyes and their heart and it enchants them with its blossoming flowers. All of the above refers to the capital of Wales – Cardiff. It is also the administrative center of the Cardiff County. Cardiff is a port city located at the mouths of the Rivers Ely and Taff flowing into the Atlantic Ocean at the Bristol Channel. The Welsh Parliament is seated in Cardiff. The city grew fast in 19th century because of its key role as a transport hub for the coal and iron ore coming from the valleys. However, the 1980s won’t be remembered positively – the region was abandoned and deserted over this decade.

The history traces the establishment of Cardiff to 1st century BC by the Celts. Later when the Romans conquered Britain a fort was built where the old settlement was. This military camp from the era of Constantine the Great was then shaped as a square and reinforced with a stone wall. A few centuries afterwards, around 1066, during the Norman occupation of England, a big hilling was made right in the center of the Roman Fort where a stone tower surrounded by a high oval wall were added. Cardiff was fully developed and officially announced as a city in 20th century. It was declared capital of Wales on 20th of December 1955.

There is a lot of history in Cardiff. It is imprinted in the unique architecture the city is proud with. Its heart beats in the Cardiff Castle which is the first obligatory tourist stop.  The fortress around the castle lays on the old fortifying walls dated around 40-50 years BC.

Another must-see for the visitors of the city is the St Fagans National Museum of History. It is an interesting open-air museum presenting the Welsh history and showing the lifestyle of the people from the Celts to the modern days. 

One of the biggest attractions in Wales is also in Cardiff. This is the Principality Stadium (aka The Millennium Stadium) with 72,000 seats. The sport venue in Cardiff is one of the best stadiums not only in Europe but in the entire world.

The city impresses with its tranquility. Its landscape is very colorful and green and the diversity is not limited to its parks and gardens. The ethnic diversity is also significant. In the recent years the population of Cardiff becomes a community made of many different nationalities. 

Cardiff has lately turned into an academic center and the local research bodies often produce scientific discoveries in the fields of physics, medicine and engineering. The Cardiff University is ranked among the top ten universities in the word and holds the leading place in the areas of psychology, engineering mechanics and urban planning and development.

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Rating 5 from 1 voted Cardiff