Abergavenny. Nestled between seven hills close to the border between England and Wales, it truly is a "Gateway To Wales".
Although there is evidence of humans in the area from around 4,000 B.C, the first major settlement was built by the Romans. They called their fort Gobannium, and it was occupied from 57-400 A.D.In 1087, just 21 years after the invasion of the Normans, they built a castle in the area. A town grew up alongside it - this town was called 'Burgavenny'. The town grew, and sometime after 1241 a set of walls was built around the town, with four large protected gateways.
The town expanded until the Black Death arrived in the late 1340s, but recovered in the 16th and 17th centuries, when the trades of weaving and tanning became the major source of income.Today Abergavenny remains a vibrant town. Although there is no major industry here, the busy markets, the annual festivals and the tourists they attract support the local economy.
