Caernarfon Castle
Edward I was big on castles, or “cestyll” as we call them in Wales. In the late 13th century, he built a whole chain of them along the North Wales coast.
They represented medieval Europe’s most ambitious and concentrated building project.
And the granddaddy of them all is Caernarfon.
The architect of this stone giant was Master James of Saint George d’Espéranche. Who may or may not have been known as Jim to his friends.
He was inspired by imperial Constantinople. The only other place you will find the hexagonal towers and banded masonry of Caernarfon.
It’s always been big news in Wales but the rest of the world is catching on fast. The castle became famous as the site for the investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1969. And like the castles at Beaumaris and Conwy, it’s been a World Heritage site since 1986.
Love castles?
Beaumaris, Conwy, Dolwyddelan and Harlech are all nearby
what will you do next?
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