Celebrating Swansea

Swansea's history goes back to the foundation of a Viking trading post at the mouth of the River Tawe, on the south-west coast of Wales. The town grew following the Norman conquest when it was granted a charter giving it the status of a borough. Swansea was an important port for the area and during the Industrial Revolution it became the world's leading copper-smelting area. Nicknamed 'Copperopolis', it grew into Wales' second largest town. Although copper production declined in the 19th century, other industries took over, including porcelain, mining and quarrying, leading to the construction of the world's first fee-paying passenger railway. During the 20th century, Swansea's fortunes changed with the decline of heavy industry. In 1969 Swansea was granted city status and although much of the fabric of the old city has changed, with many of its docks closed or converted into other uses, the city has rebuilt itself with the expansion of the university and redevelopment of its extensive coastline around Swansea Bay. Many visitors also come for the city's cultural heritage, particularly the poet Dylan Thomas, who was born and raised in Swansea, which was marked by the opening of the Dylan Thomas Centre in the old Guildhall in the Maritime Quarter. Celebrating Swansea chronicles the proud heritage of Swansea, its important moments and what draws so many to this diverse city today. Illustrated throughout, this fascinating book offers a marvellous and refreshingly positive insight into Swansea's rich heritage, its special events and important moments. Celebrating Swansea will be a valuable contribution to the history of the city and provide a source of many memories to those who have known it well over the years.