The City of Truro, is the administrative centre and only city within the county. Truro is also the most southerly city in Great Britain. The earliest records and archaeological findings relating to a permanent settlement in the Truro area, originate from Norman times. A castle was built in the 12th century, by Richard de Luci, Chief Justice of England during the reign of Henry II. Richard de Luci was granted land in Cornwall for his services to the court, included where the area surrounding the confluence of the two rivers, Kenwhy, and Allen. He built the town in the shadow of the castle and awarded it borough status to further economic activity. (The castle unfortunatly has long since disappeared). The town as previously stated is situated at the junction of the beautiful Kenwyn, and Allen rivers. It has an outlet to the sea on the South Cornish coast. Most of the tin mined in Cornwalls historic tin mines was exported from its quays. These Cornish tin mines were the proving grounds for many Victorian inventions, and where were many famous sub-aqua engineers cut their teeth. These tunneling engineers, (one in particular being Richard Trevithick, who was to attempt the first Thames Tunnel ) were later to take their hard earned expertise world-wide thus, establishing the fame and expertise of the Cornish engineers. Another engineer Josiah Hornblower who originaly hailed from Staffordshire, in the Midlands, settled in Cornwall and was to gain fame as a steam engine engineer. Hornblower is noted most for his steam fire engines. In 1753, he was asked to take his expertise to the United States. He settled in Belleview New Jersey.Where he built the very first steam engine to be built in the United States, it was for the copper mines, that were situated near Belleview. Eventually the mining industry went into rapid decline, and Truro  lost its shipping trade to the more conveniently sited Falmouth. Tin and copper mining was however to remain important to the city until the 18th century.

In the By the start of the 14th century Truro was an important port, thanks to four important facts, firstly its inland location away from the frequent storms that inficted havoc on costal ports made it an ideal place for shipping. secondly Truros location inland made it safe from seaborne invaders, and third its prosperity from the fishing industry, and the fourth most important thing was Truros new role as one of Cornwall's stannary towns for the official assaying and stamping of locally-produced tin and copper in Cornish mines. However, the Black Death soon arrived and with it, a trade recession, resulting in a mass exodus of the population and, as such the town was left in a very neglected state. During the two English Civil Wars the town remained loyal to the King, and the Royalists set up the Truro mint. It was from nearby Falmouth that in 1642, the defeated Prince Charles departed to exile in France. In 1589, a fresh charter was granted by arguably Englands greatest Queen:  Elizabeth I ( Truro was granted its first charter by King John in the 13th century ) and this later charter gave Truro a measure of self-government with a mayor, six aldermen and eighteen burgesses. This charter also gave the town council the very important rights to control the harbour of Falmouth. And the city also had the right to send two members to Parliament.  As a borough it had sent 2 members of Parliament to Westminster from 1218. In 1877 Truro was granted city status, and shortly after it gained city status the foundation stone of the great cathedral was laid. Truro as the magnificent cathedral bears testimony remains  the only City in Cornwall. Although Bodmin is still nominally, the county town of Cornwall most of the local goverment has relocated to Truro.

Truro is in all respects a very fine city. ( not everybody agreed for a  Miss Celia Finnes, who travelled this way in 1695. Wrote in her book ("Through England on a sidesaddle") Miss Fines described Truro as being 'ruinated and disregarded', on the other hand the naturalist John Ray, who visited Truro in 1662 described the town, as a pretty town' ).  The Cathedral dominates not only Truro, but also the surrounding area, no matter where you are you will find yourself under it's benevolent gaze. As cathedrals go it is fairly modern for it was built at the turn of the century. It has has a green tower of Gothic design, plus some very interesting Victorian stained glass windows, that are pleasing to the eye and will delight the visitor. The south aisle is built on the remains of St Marys Church. and is reputed to be one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in Cornwall. The City's origins date back 800 years, to when Truro was a busy market town and port.  The port is used now-days mostly for pleasure cruisers, which take visitors along the River Fal, to Falmouth, or St Mawes.

There is however one working quay remaining, the lighter-age quay where cargoes of cement are loaded for export. Despite its long history unfortunately only few old buildings have survived. And most of the architecture is of either the Georgian, Regency or Victorian periods. But that is not to say that Truro has not got many fine old buildings. For there are some very fine examples of early Victorian architecture. And one can see these reflected in Princess Street, for it comprises of some fine imposing Victorian buildings, Princess House and Mansion House being two fine examples.

Lander Street bedsides having many fine Georgian buildings all so has a memorial to two local brothers the Lander brothers. Erected in 1835, it is dedicated to Richard and John Lander who found the source of the Nile. In 1830, Richard and John Lander were charged by the Colonial Office with this unenviable task. For in the 1800s the "dark continent" was know as the 'white man's graveyard'. Given the tropical fevers, and diseases that white explorers encountered in Africa it was indeed a very apt description. So to embark on such a hazardous task like the one the Landers undertook. To search for the elusive source of the Nile was not a task to be taken lightly.

Truro as befits a City is the main shopping center in Cornwall. Here one can find all the main shops you find in any City in the country. And given it's location in the center of the County, it is ideally placed for Cornish people to visit on shopping expeditions. And to browse in the shops that many of the towns villages and hamlets simply just do not have. Yes Truro with it's history and magnificent cathedral is a place one should not hesitate to visit, for it is a very rewarding experience.

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