The Longest Name Photo

Photographer’s Note

The station building within the Welsh village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is famed for have the longest name in the world which translates into English as "St Marty's Church by the white hazel pool, near the fierce whirlpool, with the church of Tysilio by the Red Cave. The viallage is on the Island of Anglesey just north of the Menei Straits.

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tyro (2654) 2009-09-26 15:09

Hello, Colin.

A fine picture of this railway station with the famous village name emblazoned across it!

This might be the longest place-name in Britain or Europe but it is not the longest place name in the World. That claim to fame belongs to the correct place name for Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. In fact, Thai people would never refer to their capital city as Bangkok - that's a bit like referring to London as "Westminster" or "Kensington". They call it "Krung Thep" which is an abbreviated version of the full name which is "Krung-dēvamahānagara amararatanakosindra mahindrayudhyā mahātilakabhava navaratanarājadhānī purīramya utamarājanivēsana mahāsthāna amaravimāna avatārasthitya shakrasdattiya vishnukarmaprasiddhi". Translated, it means "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarm". So there you go!

Interestingly, Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll (its original name) was renamed in the 1860's and the new name posted on this railway station and other places in an attempt to attract tourism and commerce.

Anyway, all things considered, I like your picture! An interesting talking point too!

Best Wishes,

John.