Hear more about this location(Need help with RealPlayer?)Roald Dahl Plass or the Oval Basin as it was formerly known was the seaward entrance to the West Bute Dock, once the biggest masonry dock in the world. If you look around the amphitheatre style construction you might still see the stone outline of the former dock.
The dock was opened on 8 October 1839 and is said by many to be the day that the Cardiff that became the world's greatest coal port was born.
The second Marquis of Bute was persuaded to finance the £350,000 construction as he already owned most of the land in the area. It was a huge amount even for the Marquis.
It took four years to transform the 18 acres of muddy swamp into the dock that was 1400 yards in length, 200 feet wide with room for 300 vessels.
The day of the opening was a grand affair with thousands of people cramming into the town and all the inns overflowing.
An early morning parade started from the Castle grounds to the trumpet blasts of the Glamorganshire Band and the bells of St John's - masons, labourers, the town's gentlemen and tradesmen made their way to the dockside.
The arrival of the giant ship Manalaus to the new dock which came all the way from Quebec was proof that Cardiff had arrived.
Further docks were built to serve the rapidly increasing iron and coal trade including East Bute Dock (1855), Roath Basin (1874) and the Roath Dock (1887). The last of Cardiff's five docks, the Queen Alexandra Dock, opened in 1907 by which time the city was the greatest coal exporting port in the world.
After the Second World War however, demand for coal slumped and international markets were lost as other countries developed their own steel industries.
By the early 1980s Cardiff Bay had become a neglected wasteland of derelict docks and mudflats.
As part of the area's regeneration, the Oval Basin was filled in to create a public space which has hosted open-air musical events, food festivals and more. It was renamed Roald Dahl Plass in honour of the Cardiff-born writer.
A 70ft high stainless steel water tower was erected at the north end of the basin in 2000.
But the most significant addition to the area has been the landmark arts venue, the Wales Millennium Centre or the Armadillo as it is sometimes referred to, which opened in November 2004.
your comments
Alan Spiller - Dinas Powys
Why on the commemorative nameplate is there an 's' after Dahl? It should either be without the 's' or be shown with an apostrophe; but preferably just spelt correctly!
Frank Clark from Michigan USA
Just trying to find out why there is a large water tower on one side, and what appears to be a large hole on the other... was it meant that there should be two water towers, and one has not been completed?
Chris Age 9
I love it at Roald Dahl Plass. I always go skateboarding there its great fun.
Alex Hall from Middlesbrough (aged 9)
Just been to the area and loved it standing where Doctor Who's TARDIS landed. Felt like I was really the Doctor!!!
Jeremy from Lake Arrowhead, California, USA
Are they planning to build another water tower to balance it out?
James Gale, Basingstoke
I absolutely LOVE the Bay and the Plass, like the above poster said it is absoluetly beautiful. I'm going there for my birthday!
Jennice G, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
The re-imaging of the bay should be an example for other towns and countries to take note of what they can do for their areas. Roald Dahl Plass is a beautiful use of space.
Robert Price from Jacksonville Florida
This is perhaps the best insight into this moment in time for this location that could have been done. Excellent job.
