Castell Caernarfon/Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle is recognised as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages.

About Caernarfon Castle:

Caernarfon Castle is recognised around the world as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages. 

This fortress-palace on the banks of the River Seiont is grouped with EdwardI's other castles at Conwy, Beaumeris and Harlech as a World Heritage Site. But for sheer scale and architechtural drama, Caernarfon stands alone.

Here Edward and his military architect Master James of St George erected a castle, town walls and a quay all at the same time. This gigantic building project eventually took 47 years and cost a staggering £25,000 pounds. 

The castle was born out of a bitter war with Welsh princes. So of course its immense curtain walls and daunting King's Gate were designed to withstand assault. But the polygonal towers. eagle statues and multi-coloured masonry sent a more subtle message. 

These echoed imperial Roman architecture, especially, the walls of Constantinople. They also recalled the Welsh myth of Macsen Wledig, who dreamed of a great fort at the mouth of a river - 'the fairest that man ever saw'.

So Caernarfon is a caslte of dreams. A legend brought to life. Even after 700 years, it still stirs the imagination like no other Welsh castle.