Pontypridd (/ˌpɒntɪˈpriːð/ PON-tih-PREEDH,[2] Welsh: [ˌpɔntəˈpriːð]), colloquially referred to as Ponty,[3][4] is a town and a community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales,[5] approximately 10 miles north west of Cardiff city centre.

This was Edwards's fourth attempt, and at the time of construction, was the longest single-span stone arch bridge in the world.

Notable features are the three holes of differing diameters through each end of the bridge, the purpose of which is to reduce weight.

On completion, questions were soon raised as to the utility of the bridge, with the steepness of the design making it difficult to get horses and carts across.

Sited at the junction of three valleys, it became an important location for transporting coal from the Rhondda and iron from Merthyr Tydfil, first by the Glamorganshire Canal, and later by the Taff Vale Railway, to the ports at Cardiff, Barry and Newport.

The Albion Colliery in the village of Cilfynydd in 1894 underwent one of the worst explosions in the South Wales coalfield, with the death of 290 colliers (see Keir Hardie).

Pontypridd came into being because of transport, as it was on the drovers' route from the south Wales coast and the Bristol Channel, to Merthyr, and onwards into the hills of Brecon.

Although initial expansion in the valleys occurred at Treforest due to the slower speed of the River Taff at that point, the establishment of better bridge building meant a natural flow of power to Pontypridd.

The establishment of Pontypridd over Treforest was finally confirmed with the building of the Glamorganshire Canal to serve the coalmines of the Rhondda Valley.

Reciprocal choir visits have continued and the partnership prompted Pontypridd Urban District Council to join with Nürtingen in formal twinning relations, under an agreement signed in July 1968 by John Cheesman, Chairman of Pontypridd UDC, and Karl Gonser, Mayor of Nürtingen.