Caernarfon - the castle and town

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon castle is not just a jewel in Wales, it is one of the most stunning castles in Europe. Built as a key defensive and ruling palace by Edward I, as much a strategic monument to his power as a place of war. The castle on the banks of the River Seiont is the pinnacle of part of a string of defensive castles at Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech.

The castle, town walls and a quay were all built at the same time over 47 years and staggering cost for the time of £25,000.

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’.

Caernarfon castle Towers Gwnedd North Wales

Edward I’s invasion

The castle that you currently see was built on the remnants of an earlier Motte and Baily castle - and earth mound surrounded by a defensive wooden palisade. In 1282, England’s King Edward I, led the brutal charge into Wales with a large army to subdue the Welsh princes. Edward captured the Welsh castles and built his own solid stone castles as a large series of military bases to both defend and attack from.

Current usage

Despite its dilapidated condition, during the English Civil War Caernarfon Castle was held by Royalists, and was besieged three times by Parliamentarian forces. This was the last time the castle was used in war. The castle was neglected until the 19th century when the state funded repairs. The castle was used for the investiture of Prince Charles, the current Prince of Wales in 1969. It is part of the World Heritage Site "Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd".