Welsh Bangor, standing on the shores of the Irish Sea, at the entrance to the Channel of Maine, can be considered almost the smallest city with grid status in the entire country.If we do not take into account the students of the local university, Bangor will barely have 18,000. local residents.Behind the city - mountains, in front - the harbor, nearby - crossing the bridge to the island of Anglesey.It would seem like nothing special, but Bangor is an excellent base for trips to both Snowdon and the coast, as well as for exploring the picturesque castles and estates in the surrounding area.
A LITTLE HISTORY
The history of the city originates, as usual, from the church building - the cathedral.The original monastic building appeared here as early as the 6th century, and the local bishopric is therefore considered one of the oldest in the United Kingdom.In the 19th century, a university was opened in the city, and until now a significant part of Bangor's population is made up of students.
Today, Bangor holds the proud title of "Fort of Gwynedd" - that is, the last stronghold of the Welsh language in Britain.According to various estimates, Welsh is spoken by 60% to 75% of the population here.This is particularly evident in the surrounding villages, where Welsh remains the first and main language.
HOW TO GET
By rail from Cardiff, Holyhead, Birmingham, Manchester or London
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
Once in Bangor, the first thing you need to do is visit its medieval cathedral. True, the building in its current form did not come down to us from the 6th century, but from about the 16th: a fire in 1402 destroyed it almost completely. Today's view of the cathedral is serious and austere, although it is not overwhelming with its size or power. Behind the cathedral is the Gwynedd Art Museum and Art Gallery, often referred to simply as the Bangor Museum. Here you can see collections of Welsh furniture, textiles, art, and archaeological finds. And also - a model of the Telford Suspension Bridge, a Roman sword and Bardsey's crown.
The Great Pier of the city is the second longest in Wales and the ninth in all the British Isles: its length is more than 450 m. It was almost dismantled in 1974, as it was in a terrible condition;but instead, the state included the pier in the list of historical and architectural monuments of the second category in the 80s.made a large-scale restoration.Thanks to these measures, it was reopened in 1988. the pier is currently considered one of the three most well-preserved in the country.Nowadays, people enjoy fishing and even catching crabs on the pier.
The small Welsh town of Bangor can be proud of a world-class star: the British legend of trance music, DJ Sasha, was born here.
The main street of today's Bangor (and the region as a whole) and the heart of its cultural and commercial life can still be called the High Street. The beginning of commerce in this area was laid by the emigrant Maurice Wartsky, who moved to Bangor, escaping the Jewish pogroms in Tsarist Russia, and opened the first jewelry store here in 1865. Wartsky's son expanded his father's business and soon the high street was home to the first-class Castle Hotel and a fine cloth shop. Wartski's business was so successful that their stores began to open in other cities, jewelry from Wartski was flaunted by very important people, for example, Jackie Kennedy, and today the company specializes in Faberge jewelry.
Today, the High Street is home to modern shopping centres, Gwynedd's cinema and theater and, of course, cafes and pubs.Speaking of the latter, it should be noted that, although the city is small, there are enough students here.Therefore, there are enough places for evening entertainment.
The High Street in Bangor is the longest of all High Streets in Welsh cities.
Active recreation
Satisfied with the lovely atmosphere of Bangor, you can fully devote yourself to the choice of active tourism or getting to know the historical heritage of the region.The mountains of Snowdonia National Park surround the city from the south, and the coast of the Gulf of Man is full of wild beaches and picturesque cliffs.Extremes will find adventure in fast-flowing rivers with waterfalls, where you can go rafting or canoeing, and in addition, climb mountain cliffs, from where you can jump with a parachute or in a wingsuit.A more moderate adrenaline rush can be met by hiking the Welsh Coastal Path, which runs through the Afon Seguin Valley.
Surroundings of Bangor
Carnavon
A different kind of trip, in many ways no less interesting, that is worth doing while in Bangor is a trip south along the Menai Strait. If you go in this direction by bus (half an hour journey) or by car (about 15 km on the highway), you will reach Carnarvon Castle - one of the most impressive medieval fortresses in Europe. The castle was built in 1330. under King Edward I, and is a whole small town, despite the fact that it was not completed completely according to the project. It was erected on the site of the old Roman fortifications in order to maintain the English power over Wales, and for its construction Edward allocated an incalculable sum, which in those years was almost equal to the annual budget of England.
Carnarvon was planned primarily as a military fortification and more than once became the scene of battles: the Welsh did not want to give up the power over their native land to the English so easily.In particular, in 1401, Carnarvon withstood the siege of Owain Glyndur's troops.By the 16th and 17th centuries, the tension between the parties had eased and the castle was gradually abandoned.Only the foundations remained of the buildings on the castle grounds.However, all the external parts of the stone structure: crenellated walls, polygonal towers, gates - remained simply in excellent condition.
Carnarvon was restored in the late 19th century.Today, the castle houses a museum of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.Various events are also held on the territory of the castle.
Near Bangor, the A5 crosses over to the Anglesey side on the famous suspension bridge over the Menai Strait, opened in 1826. The bridge was built by Thomas Telford and was revolutionary for that time: its span was the highest in the world.Bridge R is adjacent to the first bridge. Stephenson's Britain, built in 1850. The bridges are definitely worth a look, even if you're not going to Anglesey.
Penryn
If you go from Bangor in the opposite direction, to the east, then after only 3 km you will see another interesting castle - Penryn. His story is not so long and dramatic, but he is well worth a look. It is a neo-Norman fortress, built in the mid-19th century as a private residence and handed over to the state a century later. The atmosphere inside the castle was preserved in the most meticulous way, starting from the decoration of the interiors with stucco ceilings and tapestries on the walls and ending with silverware and vases. Penrhyn is open to the public today, but photography inside is only allowed in the kitchen. And it's not so bad: it's very interesting here. There is a huge oven with a spit for roasting whole carcasses. Penrhyn has a railway museum and a model railway museum, and a doll museum is now open in the old castle stables. The castle grounds are almost 25 hectares and have a beautiful, well-kept landscaped garden.
Plas Nevidd
Another beautiful mansion very close to Bangor, half an hour away by bus or car (less than 10km), is Plas Nevidd across the Menai Strait on the Isle of Anglesey. This house, the estate of the Marquis of Anglesey, was rebuilt in the 18th century, and now in its architecture you can trace both neoclassical and neogothic motifs. One of the treasures inside the mansion is a huge painting by R. Whistler. Here you can see the beautiful interiors, a small museum of military affairs (a hobby of the Marquis), and take a walk in the picturesque park. And on the way here, if you drive over Britannia Bridge, you will pass the curious village of Llanvair Pee Gee, which is not actually called that, but given its name is completely unpronounceable. Here is a column 27 m high, installed at the beginning of the 19th century, which can be climbed by hundreds of small steps. Above, the column in 1860. a sculpture of the Marquis has been erected and from here there are excellent views of both the countryside and the strait and the Snowdon mountains.
The real name of the village of Llanwair Pee Gee is Llanfairpwllgwnyllgogerychwyrndrobwlllandysiliogogogoch.In translation, it means "Church of the Mother of God in the middle of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the church of St. Tilisius, built of red clay."This is the longest place name in Great Britain.
