|
Sunderland stands at the mouth
of the River Wear and in medieval times was known as Wearmouth.
In AD674 the nobleman Benedict
Biscop founded a monastery at Wearmouth (which became known
as Monkwearmouth) and the Venerable Bede (AD673 - 735) studied
at here.
Sunderland developed as a shipbuilding
centre in the mid-14th century and by the 19th century was
the greatest shipbuilding town in Britain. However,
production waned after World War II and the last shipyard
closed in 1988.
Sunderland became an important
port in the early-18th century and in 1850 it was expanded
by the opening of the Hudson Dock. Coal from the Wear
valley was loaded onto ships here to be transported by sea.
Because the town developed on plateaux high above the river,
its bridges spanned the Wear Gorge and did not impead the
flow of river traffic.
The Wearmouth Bridge, built
in 1796, was the second iron bridge to be constructed in England.
The elegant span was double the length of Abramam Darby's
famous Ironbridge.
In the 17th century glassmaking
became an important industry in Sunderland and today this
is celebrated at the new National Glass Centre on the River
Wear.
Coal mining, another lucrative
industry, boomed during the 19th century, but Sunderland's
last pit closed in 1993.
Sunderland's economy suffered
considerably with the lost of its industry, particularly in
the 1980's when there was mass unemployment. However,
the city has since undergone regeneration, with its riverside
sites transformed and new business sectors emerging.
Car making, electronics, chemicals and paper manufacture are
important, as are service industries.
In 1992 Sunderland was
given city status by the Queen. The city is becoming
an increasingly popular tourist destination.
The
National Glass Centre, housed in an innovative new building
on the north bank of the River Wear, demonstrates the very
best in art and design in glass. Visitors can see exhibitions
on the history the glass industry, use interactive displays
to see how glass relates to everyday life and watch demonstrations
by glassmakers.
The site of the last coal mine
is now the home of the Stadium of Light, the home ground of
Sunderland AFC, the stadium is considered to be one of the
best in Europe. Prior to the English Civil War in 1642,
Charles I gave Newcastle the rights to East of England coal
trade. The bitter resentment this caused between Sunderland
and Newcastle lead to a lasting rivalry between Sunderland
AFC and neighbouring Newcastle United.
|
the internet holiday and travel guide to the UK
Sunderland
