Wales - Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle is probably the most impressive and famous of the many Welsh castles. The site of the castle wasn’t chosen by accident. It had previously been the location of a Norman motte and bailey castle and before that a Roman fort stood nearby.

King Edward I started the construction of the castle in 1283, being part of city walls of medieval Caernarfon. It was not only a military stronghold, but also a seat of government and a royal palace. Standing at the mouth of the Seiont river, the fortress with its towers, battlements and colour banded masonry still dominates the walled town, also founded by Edward I.

Edwards son was born in Caernarfon Castle. In 1301 he became the recreated title of Prince of Wales and it was the first time the eldest son of the King of England was invested as Prince of Wales.
In 1969 the castle gained worldwide fame as the setting for the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.

In 1986, Caernarfon was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites as part of the "Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd