This capital of Wales, known in the native tongue as Caerdydd, has enjoyed a rebirth since its days as the world's leading coal-exporting port. Revitalization has enabled the city to become one of Britain's most appealing destinations. An inviting new waterfront, set along Cardiff Bay, exemplifies the renewal and boasts restaurants, hotels, and Techniquest, a hands-on science center. Cardiff is blessed with a rich history dating back 2,000 years. Its famous castle, built in Roman times, was "recreated" as a medieval-styled showpiece in the nineteenth century by Lord Bute. Other popular attractions in the area include the striking Civic Centre, which houses the National Museum, and the city's Victorian arcades, which offer great shopping. Cardiff also stakes its claim as the true home of rugby, an assertion which its residents heartily applaud.