Coventry: The old and the New

There are few cities that played such an instrumental role in World War Two. The city of Coventry was one of the hardest hit by the war and you can still see the scars to this day. Targeted because of the armament industry in the area, much of Coventry is completely different from the city you would have seen a hundred years ago. Coventry is one of the oldest cities in the region, even older than the neighbouring Birmingham.

The biggest change can be seen in the Cathedral. The original building, St Michael's church, was largely constructed between the late 14th century and early 15th century. The old St Michael's Cathedral now stands ruined, bombed almost to destruction during the Coventry Blitz in 1940 by the German Luftwaffe. Only the tower, spire, outer wall, bronze effigy, and tomb remain. The new St Michael's Cathedral, built next to the remains of the old, was designed by Basil Spence and Arup.

After the war there was a boom in the number of houses for sale in Coventry and the car industry became one of the main employers in the region. The car industry in Coventry is still plays a large part in the economy of the region, with major car manufacturers including, Jaguar; Peugeot-Citröen; Alvis, makers of military vehicles; and Rolls-Royce Aero-engines.

Today the city has rebuilt itself and there is no trace of the damage that characterised the city for much of the 20 th century. There are many things to see in the city, and most people who go to Coventry will stop off at the cathedral to see the shell of the ancient church. The city centre is now a bustling centre of shopping and entertainment, allowing visitors to partake in a spot of shopping. The history of the city can, however, still be traced even though it is long gone.