kids encyclopedia robot

Swansea Guildhall facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Guildhall
Guildhall Abertawe
Swansea guildhall.jpg
Swansea guildhall c.2006
General information
Location Swansea, Wales
Address Swansea SA1 4PE
Coordinates 51°36′51.00″N 3°57′37.00″W / 51.6141667°N 3.9602778°W / 51.6141667; -3.9602778
Construction started 1932
Completed 1934
Inaugurated 23 October 1934
Cost £300,000
Owner City and County of Swansea Council
Height 48 metres (clock tower)
Design and construction
Architect Sir Percy Thomas
Main contractor Messrs. E Turner & Sons Ltd
References
Listed Building – Grade I
Official name: Swansea Guildhall
Designated: 25 July 1994
Reference #: 14594

The Guildhall (which is Guildhall Abertawe in Welsh) is a very important building in Swansea, Wales. It's one of the main places where the City and County of Swansea Council has its offices. The Guildhall is actually a group of buildings. It includes the City Hall, a concert hall called Brangwyn Hall, and the Law Courts for Swansea. This whole complex is a special "Grade I listed building," which means it's considered very important historically and architecturally.

History of the Guildhall

The council chamber in Swansea Guildhall - geograph.org.uk - 1491171
The council chamber

The Guildhall was built to replace an older building that served the same purpose. The spot chosen for the new Guildhall was once part of Victoria Park. Work on the building began on May 4, 1932, when the first stone was laid.

Who Designed the Guildhall?

The building was designed by a famous architect named Sir Percy Thomas. He designed it in a style called "neoclassical," which means it looks like old Greek and Roman buildings. Some people also describe its style as "Stripped Classicism." The Guildhall was officially opened on October 23, 1934, by The Duke of Kent.

Cool Features of the Building

Sir Percy Thomas planned for the Guildhall to be made of white Portland stone. One of its most famous parts is its 48 metres (157 ft) tall clock-tower. This tower has an art deco style, which was popular at the time. It's a real landmark in Swansea!

Look closely at the clock-tower, and you'll see something interesting. It has the front part (or "prow") of a Viking longship sticking out on each side. This is a reminder of Sweyn Forkbeard, a Viking leader who some believe founded Swansea. Inside the building, the council chamber, where important meetings happen, has walls made of beautiful Australian walnut wood. It also has tall columns that are 22 feet (6.7 m) high.

Sir Percy Thomas won a special award, the Bronze Medal for Architecture, in 1935 for his amazing work on the Guildhall.

Surviving Tough Times

Even though the Guildhall is a big building that could be easily seen from the air, it was not damaged during the Swansea Blitz in February 1941. This was a time during the Second World War when Swansea was heavily bombed.

A Royal Announcement

On July 3, 1969, something very special happened at the Guildhall. The Prince of Wales (who is now King Charles III) came in person to announce that Swansea would officially become a city!

Home to Courts and Falcons

For many years, part of the Guildhall was used as a courthouse. These courts handled important legal cases. Later, in 1988, the main court hearings moved to a new, special courthouse in St Helen's Road.

In the 1980s, something cool happened on the Guildhall's clock-tower. The first recorded pair of peregrine falcons (a type of bird) to nest in a city in the UK were seen living there!

The Guildhall Today

For most of the 1900s, the Guildhall was the main meeting place for the Swansea City Council. However, in 1996, the council moved its main meetings to the Swansea Civic Centre. Today, the Guildhall still holds the city's law courts and many of the council's offices. The big clock on the tower was last checked and fixed in 2019 to make sure it keeps perfect time.

Images for kids

kids search engine
Swansea Guildhall Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.