Sightseeing in Swansea - what to see. Complete travel guide

Swansea got the status of the city in 1969. Prior to this it was a major industrial and port area. The city’s suburbs are rich in deposits of coal, copper and arsenic, zinc and tin. This place was known yet in the Middle Ages, when locals earned for life selling best wine and wool in the area. Nowadays Swansea remains a famous shopping district, which is well-known for producing high-quality cloth, oils and ceramics.

The city was damaged badly during World War II. Approximately one third of the buildings were destroyed. Among the lost ones were many historical buildings of great value. However, the main attraction has survived miraculously. This is a magnificent castle of Swansea, which construction took place in the 13th century. It is located in the downtown area, which is the most interesting to tourists.

Among the cultural institutions of the city we should also highlight Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea Museum and Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, which present truly amazing historical artifacts and beautiful paintings. The most popular market of the city is located nearby. This market is also called Central. Here you will find really large choice of products including clothing, perfume and, of course, large food pavilions. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The city will be truly loved by fans of different sports. The beaches of this place feature really excellent conditions for surfing and scuba diving; visitors can also participate in boat trips or attend sailing classes. On the territory of Swansea you will find a great choice of places for walking and cycling. Don’t forget to attend a picturesque promenade that stretches along the coast. The promenade is surrounded by cozy and charming parks and alleys. Swansea has been also chosen the venue for the annual festival of music and arts. If you arrive to Swansea in fall, you will be certainly able to enjoy this magical event.

Swansea Castle Square is known for its unusual Bloody fountain. This is quite a common fountain, though pretty significant in size. It owes its frightening name to an annual event. Every year on 1 March, local residents celebrate St. David's Day. The water in the fountain is dyed red on this day. Such blood water remains until 9 March. It is a truly spectacular sight all along. Such an unusual event aims to draw public attention to such a common disease as hemophilia. Some 2000 individuals suffer from cancer of the blood in the UK.

Lovers of strolls around historical areas will surely be interested in visiting ancient Pennard Castle, which is located in one of the most remote areas of Swansea. The castle was badly damaged during the Second World War. Nowadays, only a few fragments from a once majestic building have survived. The ruins are found at the top of a cliff and offer a wonderful view of the city and its surroundings.

One of the main cultural centers of Swansea is the National Waterfront Museum. It has an interesting collection of exhibits on the industrial past of the city. You can see items of old factory equipment and technical devices used in local mines. There are even samples of bricks that were produced at local plants over a hundred years ago. Models of ancient ships are the real pride of the museum. You can also enjoy excellent works of art.

The Center of Egyptology is an exclusive specialized museum. Its visitors can learn a lot about the history of Ancient Egypt and look at unique exhibits. The museum keeps a collection of ancient stone figurines that have been found in various areas of Egypt. You can observe samples of rock paintings and ancient papyrus. The museum presents unusual interactive exhibits and interesting experiments. You can even try on the mask of a pharaoh. Almost every day, they hold exciting themed events. Special tours are organized for children, as well. Although Swansea doesn't have many historical buildings, it offers a very rich sightseeing program.