Carmarthen, Market town in Carmarthenshire, Wales, Great Britain
Carmarthen is a market town in Carmarthenshire, west Wales, Great Britain, sitting on a bend of the River Towy. The center includes shopping streets, a market hall, public buildings, and residential neighborhoods that spread across flat plains and gentle hills.
The Romans founded a fort here in the 1st century AD called Moridunum, which served as a western stronghold in Britain. Later, the settlement grew into a medieval trading center with a Norman castle and eventually became the administrative seat of the county.
The name Carmarthen comes from the Roman Caer Myrddin, which refers to the legend of Merlin, said to have been born in this area. Many street signs and local names appear in both Welsh and English, showing the bilingual heritage that visitors notice throughout the town.
The town center is easy to explore on foot, with most shops and facilities within a short walk. Streets in the center can become busier during market days, while small parks along the river offer places to rest.
An old oak tree on the edge of town was once part of a prophecy claiming that the town would fall if the tree fell. Remains of the tree were eventually encased in concrete to preserve the local tradition and draw visitors to the curiosity.
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