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Abregavenny Castle - Photo:
Nigel Davies
CCL |
An important
market town on the banks of the River Usk,
Abergavenny is a mixture of new development
and old buildings set among narrow streets.
The town is surrounded by tall, mysterious
mountains and is regarded as the gateway to
the Brecon Beacons National Park. Some of its
houses date to the Tudor period.
The Romans called the place Gobannium and
mined iron ore. In the 11th century the
conquering Normans built a castle in an
attempt to drive out their Welsh foes, though
only a few walls have survived. In 1176 a
number of Welsh lords were massacred after
being invited to the castle for peace talks.
During the Second World War, Hitler’s deputy,
Rudolf Hess, was held for a time in
Abergavenny’s mental asylum and allowed weekly
walks in the Welsh countryside. |
