History
Blaenau Ffestiniog is known as the Victorian slate capital of the world, with around 10 mines in the town alone during its heyday. The site of Blaenau Ffestiniog was nothing more than pasture land before the industrial revolution. The town started after slate was discovered there. Railways, churches, schools, houses, shops, and a hospital were all built to accommodate the growing population. After the Second World War the demand for slate fell and the town now relies on tourism. Blaenau Ffestiniog hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1898. It is part of the traditional county of Merionethshire. Locals divide Blaenau Ffestiniog into "areas" - among these are Tanygrisiau, Rhiwbryfdir, Bethania, Dolrhedyn, Glanpwll, Cwmbowydd and Manod. In this context "Blaenau Ffestiniog" is sometimes used to refer only to the centre of town.
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