Harlech Castle
Perched high on a rocky crag and dominating the coastal landscape, Harlech Castle is the very image of a medieval fortress and has been the atmospheric subject of many a picture.
Harlech was one of a ring of castles in North Wales , built by the English King Edward I to impose his rule on the Welsh Princes and along with these fine examples of military architecture Harlech is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also like the other castles, Harlech was built by King Edward I’s master mason James of St George, but it was here at Harlech that the Savoyard architect resided and held the post of King’s Constable between 1290 and 1293.
Work on Harlech was begun in 1283 and completed in 1289. Perched on a rocky promontory along the coast, the quadrangle castle was built to be defended against a landward attack and supplied by the sea. Its four formidable drum towers are linked by a massive curtain wall, while the landward side is defended further by a magnificent gatehouse with two impregnable looking towers. These were strengthened further by an outer wall dry moat and gate bridge and the sea, which up until the 18th Century came up to the foot of the rock by a defendable Watergate and curtain wall which led back to the castle on the hill top.
Harlech was the scene of fierce battles throughout its history. It held out against local rebellion in 1294, fell to the Welsh in 1400 and became the seat of power for rebel leader Owain Glyndwr, and it is said he was declared Prince of Wales here. In the War of the Roses (1455-85) it saw one of the fiercest sieges and in the civil war of the 16th Century Harlech was the last Royalist bastion to fall.
From the 17th Century Harlech was left to ruin, an item of antiquarian interest that inspired one of JMW Turner’s most celebrated paintings and draws many visitors today.'
This attraction is included in the Great British Heritage Pass.
