Swansea Abertawe
Swansea Abertawe
Wales’s second largest city has undergone regeneration with a new marina and National museum, the town has a large student population that gives the place a vibrant feel.
The place has a long history it was settled by the Vikings under Sweyn Ea, the island of Sweyn becoming Swansea, he was a pirate and used the place as a base for plundering the coast he chose this site as it was on the river Tawe on Swansea Bay.
The Normans built a castle here but little remains today as it was damaged by Owain Glyndwr and finally destroyed by Cromwell in the civil war.
Swansea was the where the poet Dylan Thomas grew up, in the Dylan Thomas centre there are captivating displays about the man’s life. There are audio presentations featuring the great voice of Richard Burton reading under milk wood, as well as the poet himself reciting the equally famous, do not go gently into that good night, a must see and listen for Thomas fans and poetry lovers alike.
The new National Museum is situated in a converted dock side building with a glittering glass and slate extension, inside are great exhibits which makes full use of technology with audio visual and computer screens to deliver the information.
Swansea was an important port at one time smelting copper and exporting coal, this declined in the 20th century the city was badly damaged in the Second World War.
Other places of interest include the Swansea museum, the Egypt centre, and the mission gallery. In the summer Swansea hosts, The Swansea bay festival as well as the Dylan Thomas festival.
Activities in Swansea Abertawe
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