In the distance rise the craggy mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) and spread out below you are the harbor and narrow streets of Conwy – still protected by an unbroken 1,400-yard (1.3 km) ring of town walls.
The Spectacular Conwy Castle
The castle was built by The English King Edward's architect. Master James of St George built both the castle and walls in a barely believable four years between 1283 and 1287.
Conwy takes its place alongside Edward’s other great castles at Beaumaris, Harlech, and Caernarfon as a World Heritage Site.
This famous fortress is exceptionally well-preserved. It contains the most intact set of medieval royal apartments in Wales. The high curtain wall and eight lofty towers rise almost as impressively as when they were built more than 700 years ago.
A town within Castle walls, a great fairy dream, of king and queen, prince, or princess.
Did you know Wales has the largest amount of castles per square meter in the whole of Europe? Yes, that's correct. No other country has as many castles in a square meter to one another. Germany has a total of around 25,000, staggering ain't it?
So who looks after our amazing Heritage sites? CADW! Even though many Heritage sites are privately owned, Cadw looks after the well-being of these and does so amazingly, maintaining the past for the future.
A little about Cadw. Cadw is the historic environment service of the Welsh Government and part of the Tourism and Culture group. Cadw works to protect the historic buildings and structures, the landscapes, and heritage sites of Wales, to make them available for the public to visit, enjoy, and understand their significance.
All the UK nations have a similar Body that looks over the historical sites. Historic Scotland environmental, for example, is pretty hands-on with their own squads, who work day in and out on their sites.
Was Conwy Castle ever attacked? Well, yes, and as history goes, it was a cunning attack.
In March 1401, Rhys ap Tudur and his bro Gwilym, who were cousins of Owain Glyndŵr, pulled off a sneaky move on Conwy Castle. They dressed up as carpenters working on the castle, sneaked in, took out the two guards, and took control of the place.
Heritage sites like Conwy use lime to help preserve its glory with a use of hybrid mixes. It goes to show that with the proper care and maintenance, things can last.
Unlike traditional pointing, castle walls would find all sorts within the mortar: horse and goat hair, blood! Really anything to help strengthen the mix. Sea shells were often used to help toughen and protect the walls from the weather. They were meant to last, and boy have they lasted.
Many medieval castles have been famous for other reasons. Can you guess why?
"MOVIES"
King Arthur, Legend of the Sword 2017. Secret Garden was another in 2020
What else could this historic castle be famous for?
The first ever Built Suspension Bridge in Europe, which leads onto the castle front.
Built by Thomas Telford, the 99.5-metre-long (326 ft) suspension bridge spans the River Conwy. The bridge was built in 1822–1826.
Not many World heritage sites will Boast such Landmarks attached close to the castle gates.
Conwy castle can be visited, especially in the summer hours where the late nights allow you to walk around the castle walls.
love this.