Caernarfon Castle |
Also spelt Caernarvon Castle, this magnificent castle was the site of the investiture of the HRH Prince Charles as the Prince of Wales in 1969 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It overlooks the Menai Strait towards Anglesey and controlled the North Wales coast as far as Aberystwyth.
It was intended as a symbol of his dominance over the troublesome Welsh, and it certainly did the job.
Hexagonal and octagonal towers with castellated parapets, layers of decorative stone walls and windows, grand arched entrances and arrowslit walls seem to rear above the waterfront in a series of tiers.
The site of Caernarfon was first chosen for a Roman fort, Segontium, and later a Norman motte and bailey castle was built, around 1090.
The Welsh reclaimed this castle in 1115 and held it until Edward's invasion of Wales in 1283.
The Building of Caernarfon Castle
Once the moat was dug, a wooden barricade would have been constructed to protect the site.
Materials for the castle were imported by boat, including timber from Liverpool.
Although impressive, the castle proved not to be impenetrable and a revolt in 1294 saw the castle breached and partly burnt.
When the english regained control, repairs were made and the north wall and King's Gate were added.
The King's Gate can still be seen in its unfinished state with twin towers and a statue of Edward I.
The planned drawbridge and six portcullises were never completed, although you can see the murder holes for burning oil, arrow slits, spy holes and other defences.
There were chapels on each level and two grand halls. The castle included a garrison and watchmen guarded the 20-foot thick walls from seven watchtowers.
A number of informative exhibits and displays explain the purpose and history of Caernarfon Castle in detail, allowing us to see why, 700 years later, we can see still appreciate Edward's greatest architectural achievement.
Most of what can be seen today was part of the original structure, which has certainly stood the test of time.
Share this article
Video |
|
|
|
|
Directions |
|
By Car: A4085, A48(T), B4366 |
|
Caernarfon Castle Postcode for SatNav: LL55 2AY
|
Contact
|
|
|||||||||||
Days Out near Caernarfon Castle
-
Segontium Roman Fort (<1 Mile)*
-
Anglesey Sea Zoo (3 Miles)*
-
Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens (5 Miles)*
-
Llanberis Lake Railway (6 Miles)*
-
Snowdon Mountain Railway (6 Miles)*
-
Penrhyn Castle (9 Miles)*
-
Beaumaris Castle (11 Miles)*
-
Criccieth Castle (15 Miles)*
-
Dolwyddelan Castle (16 Miles)*
-
Portmeirion Village (17 Miles)*
Places to Visit near Caernarfon Castle
-
Caernarfon (1 Mile)*
-
Bangor (8 Miles)*
-
Llanddona (11 Miles)*
-
Carnguwch (14 Miles)*
-
Llanystumdwy (15 Miles)*
-
Porthmadog (15 Miles)*
-
Abererch (17 Miles)*
-
Morfa Nefyn (17 Miles)*
-
Pwllheli (18 Miles)*
-
Holyhead (18 Miles)*
Also near Caernarfon Castle |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||