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Wales, the 'Land of Castles' is a
stirring reminder of the warlike medieval period. Conquering Normans
were the first castle builders, followed by battling English kings and
Welsh princes who built formidable strongholds in strategic locations
along the coast and deep in the mountains.
Cardiff Castle
There's a 2,000-year history lesson waiting to be told at Cardiff's
fabulous city-centre castle.
Cardiff Castle is a unique
'three-in-one' historic site. First, there's the Roman fort, built here
2,000 years ago. One thousand years later, the Normans arrived,
constructing a solid stone keep on a steep mound. Then, in the 19th
century, the castle was transformed into a glittering Victorian mansion
by the fabulously wealthy Marquess of Bute who had made his fortune in
Cardiff's booming docklands. Take a guided tour of the castle - you're
guaranteed to be dazzled by the flamboyant, richly decorated interior.
Harlech Castle
Harlech Castle's clifftop location is sensational - little wonder that
it's a World Heritage Site.
For some of the most breathtaking views
in Wales, climb up to the battlements of Harlech Castle. This
13th-century fortress, part of the 'iron ring' built by King Edward I,
commands views far and wide across Tremadog Bay and Snowdonia. The
dunelands below the castle, now part of one of Wales's finest golf
courses, weren't always there. The castle originally stood on a sea
cliff. Over the years, the waters receded, leaving the fortress high and
dry. Stand beside Harlech's formidable twin-towered gatehouse and you
can understand why the sea took fright.
Caerphilly Castle
Visit Caerphilly Castle and you'll see why this awesome fortress has
been called a 'sleeping giant'.
It is only recently that Caerphilly's
status as one of Europe's truly great castles has become appreciated.
This so-called 'sleeping giant' combines quantity with quality. The
sprawling 13th-century fortification is one of the largest castles in
Britain. It is also a leading example of the 'concentric'
ring-within-ring system of defences, a deadly effective combination of
water-filled moat and massive masonry. There's only one weak note: a
tipsy tower that manages to out-lean Pisa's world-famous example!
Caernarfon Castle
Mighty Caernarfon Castle, possibly the most famous of them all, was
built as the ultimate expression of military and royal authority.
Caernarfon Castle was more than a
military stronghold. This World Heritage Site - and possibly the most
famous of all the castles in Wales - was built by Kind Edward I of
England in the troubled 13th century to serve as a royal palace and seat
of government. Standing imperiously beside the quayside, its fortified
towers and soaring walls still completely dominate the surroundings.
There's a lot to see at this much-visited historic site - exhibitions
and displays as well as the finest medieval architecture that money
could buy.
www.tourism.wales.gov.uk |
