Learn to play inline hockey


Overview of Cardiff

Cardiff or Caerdydd in Welsh is the capitalFestivals
city of Wales. The city is situated in the
county of Glamorgan and used to be a smallCardiff is the home of the Big Weekend
traditional town until the 19th century whenFestival that is held every year in late July
it started to rapidly grow due to the suddenor early August. The Festival takes place in
influx  of  industry  in  the  areathe center of the city and it brings together
all sorts of theme park events and rides.
Cardiff or Caerdydd in Welsh is the capitalEach year about 2 hundred thousand people
city of Wales. The city is situated in thecome to take part in this event. Another big
county of Glamorgan and it used to be a smallevent in the city is the Cardiff festival,
traditional town up until the 19th centuryconsidered to be the biggest outdoor festival
when it started to rapidly grow due to thein the entire country. This festival is
sudden influx of industry in the area. Atactually the host of different smaller
this point in time Cardiff became the mainfestivals, such as the Children's Festival.
port in the region exporting coal. In theThe city also hosts the Cardiff Design
year 1905 Cardiff officially became a cityFestival.
and exactly 50 years later, in 1955, it was
proclaimed the capital of Wales. The portAnother thing that should be noted about
here is known as Tiger Bay and it used to beCardiff is that it was the home of the
very busy for a long period of time. Today,National Eisteddfod five times (1883, 1899,
the port of Cardiff is not so popular for1938, 1960 and 1978) and it is to be the host
transport, but is very much appreciated byagain  in  2008.
people all over the world as an art,
entertainment  and  nightlife  location.Parks
The name of the city comes from the EnglishOne of the most beautiful places in Cardiff
pronunciation of the Welsh name "Caerdydd".is the green site in the centre of the city
The origin of the name is not known, thereknown as Bute Park. This area used to be a
being several hypotheses. "Caer" is the Welshpart of the castle grounds and today it has
word for castle, but there is no explanationbeen designed to be a charming place inside
for what "dydd" could be standing for. Somethe city. The park extends towards the
people believe that this term was anorthern part of the main shopping street in
corruption of the term "Taff", which is thethe city, Queen Street. The beautiful garden
name of the river that crosses the city. Incombines with the Llandaff Fields in the
this case, the name "Cardiff" would actuallynorthwest area and together they form a
mean "the castle on the river Taff". However,unique place highlighting the Taff River. The
modern researchers have serious doubts aboutpeople who live on this part of the city bear
this explanation, preferring to concentratethe nickname of Taffy after the river that
more on the Latin influence over the term. Itcrosses  this  region.
is known that the Roman Emperor Antonius
Didius built a fortress in Cardiff, thus theyThere are a few more parks in Cardiff, such
believe that it is most likely that the nameas Roath Park in the north of the city. This
of the city refers to the castle of Antoniusamazing park was actually donated to the
Didius. Whatever the true origin of the namecommunity by the third Marquess of Bute in
may be, the fact is that a beautiful 20001887. One of the most popular tourist
year old Norman castle still exists inattractions in this park is the boating lake.
Cardiff and it would be a shame to missAnother very colorful park in Cardiff is
visiting  it  while  in  the  city.Victoria Park, which was the city's first
official  park.
One of the most popular city icons is the
Cardiff professional football team - CardiffMusic  and  nightlife
City F.C. There are also other teams that
bring fame to the city, such as the CardiffCardiff has proven to be one of the most
Blues (the regional rugby team) and thepopular places in the UK as far as the wide
Cardiff  Devils  Ice  Hockey  team.range of music is concerned. Some of the most
visited and appreciated places in Cardiff
Cultural  Attractionsinclude the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
and the Welsh National Opera. Many of the
Besides the Norman castle, Cardiff also hostsleading acts across the country have emerged
the National Assembly for Wales, St. David'shere. Also, as far as modern music is
Concert Hall (one of the most popular concertconcerned, many Welsh bands have had their
venues in Britain due to its manydebut on one of Cardiff's stages, before
productions), the National Museum and manybecoming well known nationally and even
more. One of the most interesting places ininternationally.
Cardiff is Caroline Street, the third oldest
street in the city. This street is the mainCardiff is also very popular for its strong
link between two of Cardiff's busiestnightlife, being the host of a numerous
streets. On Caroline Street you can find avariety of nightclubs, bars, pubs and clubs.
great variety of stores and shops andMost of these places can be found in the city
recently it seems to have become the home ofcentre and in Cardiff Bay, which has lately
chip and kebab eateries! Thus, the streetdeveloped quite an impressive night scene.
became to be referred as the Chip Row or theSt. Mary Street is also one of the most
Chip Alley. During the last few years thepopulated places in Cardiff during the night
street became populated with new luxurianttime. The best time here is during good
flats  and  has  been completely refurbished.weather when the terraces are open and the
street seems to have a life of its own.



1 A B C D E F 89 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134