|
PONTYPRIDD About
Pontypridd Pontypridd is a busy market town which is located at the confluence of the Rivers Taff and Rhondda and at the junction of the Cardiff to Rhondda and Merthyr railway lines. It is now part of the borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff, which includes The Rhondda, Cynon Valley and Llantrisant (one of the oldest towns in South Wales). Pontypridd is twinned with Nürtingen, South-West Germany. Pontypridd hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1893. History  Pontypridd 'Old Bridge' The famous Pontypridd 'Old Bridge' was built in 1756 by William Edwards, a self-taught mason, from Groeswen, who was a minister of religion by profession. Built in native stone, it was regarded, at the time, as an architectural feat because it was the longest stone-built single-arch bridge in Europe, rising 35 feet (11 m) above the level of the river, the bridge is a perfect segment of a circle, the chord of which is 140 feet (43 m). Notable features are three holes of differing diameters through each end of the bridge. The purpose of these was to reduce the weight of the bridge, although their aesthetically pleasing nature is a bonus.. This is the third bridge (some say the fourth) bridge to be built. The first bridges collapsed, the lastest survived by putting three cylindrical holes graduated in size at either end, the largest at the bottom. Some time afterwards, Pontypridd became known as Newbridge after the bridge, and implying the existence of the old footbridge referred to earlier. The road bridge alongside, known as the Victoria bridge was built in 1857 as the Old Brige presented deifficulties due to itsd steepness of the design making it difficult to get carts across it. From the bridge looking up the river on the left is Craig-yr-Hesg headland, which once gave its name to another footbridge, built of timber, across the river known as Pont-yr-Hesg. Reference was made to the beauty of this headland centuries ago. Craigyr-Hesg quarry, famous for its blue pennant stone, is alongside. Tabernacle Chapel near the Edwards bridge was built in 1861 and has been purchased by Pontypridd Town Council and has been converted into a Historial and Cultural Centre which will eventually house the town's first museum. Note the steps leading down into the river, once where people were baptised The history of Pontypridd is closely tied to the coal and iron industries. Sited as it is at the junction of the Rhondda and Taff valleys, it became an important location for the transportation of coal from the Rhondda and iron from Merthyr Tydfil, first via the Glamorganshire Canal and later via the Taff Vale Railway, to the ports at Cardiff and Barry. Because of its role in transporting coal cargo, its train platform was at one time the longest in the world. Notable people from Pontypridd
More about Pontypridd - External Web Site Links |
