Heritage > British Castles

Dolwyddelan Castle

The castle of Dolwyddelan - "the Irishmen's meadow" - stand impressively on a rocky ridge commanding the Lledr Valley, one of the principal passes through Snowdonia.

Begun between c.1210 and 1240 by Prince Llywelyn The Great of Gwynedd, it was build to guard the road into the core of his kingdom and watch over his vital upland cattle-pastures. Defended by rock-cut ditches and a steep drop, the castle is dominated by a rectangular keep-tower, later heightened to three storeys. There are breathtaking views from its roof.

The strategically-sited castle became a prime target for English attack during Edward I's conquest of Wales. On the very day after its capture in January 1283 the king's masons began strenghtening it, probably adding its second tower. Garrisoned by troops in white "snow-camouflage" uniforms, the Welsh-built fortress thus became a link in Edward's famous chain of strongholds around Gwynedd.

After re-occupation by a 15th century squire as a refuge against unruly neighbours, the castle fell into decay. With their stunning backdrop of wild Snowdonian mountains, the picturesque ruins later proved a magnet for Georgian romantic landscape-painters and tourists. Victorian reconstruction restored the keep to something like its former grandeur and today Dolwyddelan remains a lasting memorial to the great Llywelyn's strategic achievement.

What colour are you?

All designs © Knight International Bulgarian Property Specialist 2001 - 2007