Cardiff Castle description and photos - Great Britain: Cardiff (Topic)

Cardiff Castle description and photos - Great Britain: Cardiff. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Cardiff Castle.

Photo & Description

Cardiff Castle is located in the heart of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The first fortresses were built on this hill by the Romans in the 1st century AD. Remains of Roman masonry are still visible at the base of the castle walls. At the end of the 11th century, after the conquest of Britain by William, a Norman castle was built here. It consisted of an inner and outer courtyard separated by a high stone wall. The very first citadel on the hill was built by Robert Fitzhammon, Lord of Gloucester. Most likely, it was made of wood, like most fortifications of that time.

During its long history, the castle has changed many owners - these are the earls of Gloucester, and the barons de Clare, and the Despensers, and the Beauchans, and the Neville. In 1766, as part of the dowry, the castle passed to Lord Bute, and since then belongs to this family. It was the second Marquis of Bute that Cardiff owes its transformation from a modest fishing village to the world's largest coal port. The castle is inherited by his son, the third Marquis of Bute, who, according to some estimates, in 1860 was the richest man in the world. In 1866, he hired the architect William Burgess to rebuild the castle's living quarters. Inside the Gothic towers, he creates luxurious, lush interiors. Frescoes, stained glass windows, marble, gilding and carved wood create the interior decoration of the premises, each with its own theme. There are Mediterranean gardens and halls in Italian or Arabic style.

In 1947, the fifth Marquis of Bute handed the castle over to the city of Cardiff. Now there is a museum, concerts and festivals are held on the territory of the castle. There is a Historical Club at the castle, educational work is carried out for children and adults, knightly tournaments are organized.

The castle has become a symbol of not only the city of Cardiff, but the whole of Wales.

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Topic: Cardiff Castle description and photos - Great Britain: Cardiff.