Caernarfon Castle in Wales

The King's Gate entrance at Caernarfon Castle in Caernarfon, Wales.

Caernarfon Castle is another of the 'Iron Ring' of castles built by England's King Edward I in Wales. Around 1283 they began construction of this fortress that was also used as a palace.  

I went to the front door and knocked.....but no one answered?  Better go around to the King's Gate entrance.

These signs are on all castles we have visited.  They seem quite graphic but we have climbed the very narrow steps and the heights of the walls and we have heard of people falling off these castles before.  We read the sign....good safety tips....ok.....we are good to go.

The view of the River Seiont from the towers of the Caernarfon Castle.  Beautiful sight of the mountain scape.  Caernarfon was originally an important Port for the Romans.  We visited the archaeological site were they have located a fort complex which held about 400 Roman soldiers.  Interesting enough, the Romans had 'heated flooring' back 2000 years ago.

The Castle is immense.  I am standing at the Eagle Towers looking at the vast length of the castle.  It was a very enjoyable castle to explore.  

The fact that there are so many window openings confirmed that it would have also been used as a palace for Royalty to live.  Otherwise, a fortress could not be easily defended with so many openings.  This is the Queen's Tower.  King Edward I was married to Eleanor of Castile, his Queen.

The location of the kitchens which you can still make out where the ovens and fireplaces were.

Not for the faint of heart....like mine....the circular staircases that are used to go way up or way down.  I am not keen on either.  They are so dark and narrow...one body width.

Debbie looking down on me as I head down the tower first?  Really?  Why me?  I'm afraid of the dark.

Neat shaped rooms with lighting that illuminated the living areas.

This is the first castle we have been in where there are many dimly lit passage ways that you can explore.  Some are dead ends....so to speak.  Others go on for quite a distance.  Deb loved them.

The bridge has been built to accommodate the visitors to cross these massive towers.  Very deep and very high.  Don't look down!

Debbie looked down!

Fun head shot from one of the towers in the castle.  Brilliant views from here all around.

Deb walking the castle walls with the incredible Eagle Tower behind her.

King Edward I defeated and killed the then Prince of Wales, Madog ap Llywelyn.  He was the original Prince of Wales.  That title is traditional given to the eldest son of the monarch.  According to a famous legend, King Edward I promised the people of Wales that the next Prince of Wales would be 'a prince born in Wales, who did not speak a word of English.'  He then presented his son, Edward II who became Prince of Wales in 1301.  He indeed did not speak English, nor Welsh, but French as his mother, the Queen was from Castile, France.  Hmmmm?

Even on top of the castle walls, the paparazzi can find me?

In 1911, Caernarfon Castle was used for the investiture of the Prince of Wales, Edward VIII.  Then again in 1969, Prince Charles was invested, as Prince of Wales, right on the circle (below) built specifically for the event.  

A quite pensive moment in the Caernarfon Castle tower, amazed that I am actually sitting here.