Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon castle is located on the banks of the River Seiont where it flows into the Menai Strait. It had previously at one time been the site of a Roman fort. The castle commands a prominent and even dominant position on the Menai Straits.

Caernarfon Castle Exterior

King Edward I of England commenced construction of Caernarfon castle, following his conquest of the country in 1283. The castle reached its current state some 40 years later in 1323, but was never completed to the original plans, as remnants of planned, but never built inner walls can still be seen today.

Caernarfon castle is just one of many built by Edward in the North Wales area, but was not thought to have been constructed as a defensive stronghold unlike that of Beaumaris Castle. Edward II, the kings son was born in Caernarfon in 1284.

Caernarfon Castle Interior

Some 10 years later the castle was to change hands when it was taken by the forces of Madog ap Llewellyn, only to be recaptured within the year. The castle has seen a number of battles since its semi-completion in 1323, but has remained for the most part under royal control.

Today it still maintains its royal roots as the place where the official title, “Prince of Wales” is bestowed upon the male heir to the throne, currently Prince Charles, whose investiture took place here in 1969. The castle was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 under the title “Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd”.

You will also find at Caernarfon castle the museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers who were one of the oldest regiments in the regular army, earning the royal title in 1713 during the war of the Spanish Succession.