Pontypool Twin Towns
Pontypool is twinned with three towns in Europe: Longjumeau in France since 1994, Bretten in Germany since 1994 and Condeixa in Portugal since 1999. Uniquely each of these towns is twinned with each other and annual conferences are held to discuss issues pertinent to all 4 towns.
Longjumeau| is a cosmopolitan town situated south of Paris within its commuter belt. It is the birth place of the famous composer Adolphe Adam, who composed the ballet 'Giselle'. In the 19th century the town was a major stopping point for the post being brought by stage coach to and from Paris, there are many reminders of this in the town today. There is a mix of agriculture and industry in the area and the links to the capital of France are quite evident.
Bretten| nestles at the foothills of the black forest in Southern Germany not far from Stuttgart and Heidelberg in the region known as Karlsruhe. It is an ancient town from where the great reformer Philip Melanchthon hailed. Each year at the beginning of July a medieval festival "Peter and Paul Fest" takes place in the town when everyone is transformed back 500 years. For the entire weekend every nook and cranny in the town offers some 15th century hospitality. Townsfolk dress in costume and parades of militia are watched by hundreds of people.
Condeixa| lies mid way between Lisbon and Opoto and dates back to Roman times. The ancient ruins of Conimbriga are only a few miles away and the nearby city of Coimbra has one of the oldest universities of Europe. This region of Portugal is famous for its ceramics and its lush vineyards.