Legends and fierce mediaeval conflict inspired the construction of this royal fortress-palace.
Caernarfon Castle is regarded as one of the greatest mediaeval structures in the world.
This fortress-palace on the banks of the River Seiont is part of a World Heritage Site that includes Edward I’s other castles at Conwy, Beaumaris, and Harlech. Caernarfon, on the other hand, strikes out for its sheer size and architectural drama.
At the same time, Edward and his military architect Master James of St George built a castle, town walls, and a dock. This massive construction project took 47 years and cost a whopping £25,000.
The fortress arose from a bloody conflict with Welsh princes. Of course, its massive curtain walls and intimidating King’s Gate were built to withstand attack. Polygonal towers, eagle statues, and multi-colored stonework, on the other hand, communicated a more subdued statement.
These echoed imperial Roman architecture, particularly Constantinople’s walls. They also alluded to Macsen Wledig, a Welsh legend who dreamed of a huge fort at the mouth of a river that was “the prettiest that man ever saw.”
As a result, Caernarfon is a fantasy castle. A legend is resurrected. It still evokes the imagination like no other Welsh castle after 700 years.
