Heritage > British Castles

Cilgerran Castle

Spectacularly crowning a crag above the wooded Teifi Gorge, Cilgerran is among the most picturesque castles in Wales.

Naturally protected by steep drops on two sides, its position was an abvious site for a fortress in an area hotly disputed by Welsh Princes and Norman barons. The earliest stronghold here was probably founded in 1108 by the Norman adventurer Gerald of Windsor, but was taken and retaken several times during the next century. Between 1223 and 1240, therefore, the anglo-Normans sons of William the Marshal raised a mighty half-circuit of fortifications to defend its vulnerable southern approach.

These are dominated by two great round towers, a popular feature of castle in war-torn 13th century Wales. But Cilgerran's are special, a triumph of the fortress-builder's art. Their outward facing walls are much thicker than those within and, while their inner faces have windows, their frowning outer faces are broken only by arrows slits.

Eventually falling into romantic ruin, the castle later became a favourite with Georgian tourists - who sailed up a river Teifi long famous for salmon and coracles - an and inspiration to artists.



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