Crimea Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crimea Pass |
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The Pass in 2006
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| Elevation | 385 m (1,263 ft) |
| Traversed by | A470 road |
| Location | North Wales |
| Coordinates | 53°01′24″N 3°56′17″W / 53.02338°N 3.93816°W |
The Crimea Pass (known as Bwlch y Gorddinan in Welsh) is a well-known mountain road in North Wales. It is part of the A470 road and connects the towns of Blaenau Ffestiniog and Dolwyddelan. This important pass links the counties of Gwynedd and Conwy.
Contents
Exploring the Crimea Pass
Where is the Pass Located?
The Crimea Pass reaches its highest point at 385 meters (about 1,263 feet) above sea level. Because it is so high up, the pass sometimes has to close during winter. This happens when there is too much snow, making the road unsafe for cars.
Why the Name "Crimea"?
The pass got its interesting name from the Crimean War. This war was happening around the time the road was officially opened in 1854. Some of the stone walls you can see in the area were built by Russian prisoners of war. These prisoners were captured during famous battles like Inkerman and Balaclava.
Stories from the Past
A long time ago, there was an inn at the very top of the pass. It was called the "Prince Llewellyn Inn." However, most people just called it "the Crimea." This nickname came about because the inn was known for having many fights.
The inn closed down in 1881. The police did not want its license to be renewed. The local officials also felt that the inn was no longer needed once the railway to Ffestiniog was finished.
In the mid-1870s, a man named Owen Gethin Jones opened a quarry near the top of the pass. It was called the Bwlch Gordduant quarry. This quarry did not become very successful. It was later sold to the owner of another quarry, the Prince Llewellyn quarry, in 1876.
Above the main road today, you can still see a track. This track follows the path of the old road that once crossed the pass. People say it was built very cleverly, with gentle slopes. This was important in the past when horses were used to pull carts and carriages.
