Monuments to visit Wales

Built on the foundations of a 13th century fortified house, this Edwardian castle with its four round towers and imposing battlements, built by Sir John Wogan, was occupied by the same family for over 700 years. Picton Castle is one of the most important historic houses in Wales. It is surrounded by sixteen hectares of magnificent wooded and flowered gardens with a beautiful collection of rhododendrons. For information, the castle can only be visited by guided tours. Possibility to visit the gardens (for a fee) every day, all year round.

To the north of the village, a 13th century medieval castle - now private property - built by the de Vale family, the descendants of a knight who had accompanied Martin de Tours, the invader from North Pembrokeshire. This castle was one of Henri Tudor's first captures with 4,000 men and 55 ships. Then Henri Tudor will head east, crossing Wales towards England. From there, on August 22nd, he defeated Richard III of England before being crowned king and becoming Henry VII.

Lligwy Burial Chamber is a Bronze Age tomb, dominated by a massive stone estimated at 25 tons, on a small path leading out of the village.

A little further on is Din Lligwy, the ruins of an ancient village dating from the Roman Empire. The walls of the huts are still visible. In the field next door, Capel Lligwy is still standing: chapel from the first half of the 12th century. The tomb is not a visit in itself, there is not much to see but it is a very nice walk that awaits you, where you can discover these ruins.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a monumental aqueduct, almost 40 meters high and 300 meters long, spanning the torrential River Dee and carrying the Llangollen Canal in a long cast-iron tank, supported by bold yet lightweight pillars. This innovation has enabled the company to expand its transport capacity. In the past, horse-drawn boats crossed this suspended waterway, carrying coal, lime and iron from the mines and quarries of the Llangollen valley to Ellesmere. Crossing it today is truly impressive!

A pioneering masterpiece of engineering andmonumental architecture. Completed in the early ^19th century, this aerial canal-bridge was built by the famous Scottish engineer Thomas Telford (1757-1834), and is popularly known as "the canal in the sky" by locals. A pioneering work in terms of its technological choices and architectural boldness, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2009. It bears witness to the unique production capabilities of the British steel industry at the time.

This magnificent structure features a cast-iron and wrought-iron shell, set as if by magic on tall, slender pillars of elegant architecture. The Pontcysyllte canal bridge(Traphont Ddŵr Pontcysyllte in Welsh) represents a civil engineering feat of the Industrial Revolution. Its construction in a single reach, without any locks, despite a difficult geographical environment, makes it a remarkable example of artificial waterway construction, which has inspired many other projects around the world.

Today, its vocation is essentially tourism. The bridge-canal is now equipped for river tourism and is a tourist destination in its own right. Its canal, filled almost to the brim with water, can be crossed by boat (via Llangollen Wharf), while its narrow, bolted, cantilevered sidewalk allows passage on foot or by bike. Either way, it's a vertiginous experience!

What's more, the Trevor Basin Visitor Centre is right beside the aqueduct. It houses a collection of historical artifacts dating back to the construction of the Pontcysyllte Canal Bridge. Visitors can also enjoy a video recounting the history of this impressive structure, as well as a children's activity area and gift store.

Caernarfon Castle was built between 1283 and 1330 by Edward I to consolidate his military advance. He wanted to make the castle a mixture of styles, combining the walls of Constantinople, hence its unusual polygonal towers, and Roman grandeur.

Classified by UNESCO in 1985, Caernarfon is one of the best preserved castles in the country, but also one of the largest medieval castles in the world!

A strategic and political location, it was here in 1969 that the nomination of the candidate for the crown, Charles, son of Elizabeth II, as Prince of Wales, took place. Since 1282, when the English defeated Llywelyn the Last, the last "Welsh" prince, the title of Prince of Wales has become that of the aspirant to the British Crown. This custom and title can be traced back to Edward I of England, who promised the Welsh that he would give them a prince who was born in Wales and did not speak English. Edward II, born in Caernarfon, spoke neither English nor Welsh. It was not until 1911 that Lloyd George, the Welsh Prime Minister, demanded that the nomination be held in Wales, in Caernarfon. In the castle is exposed the throne specially designed for the occasion, as well as a specimen of a chair and everything that was made for the ceremony.

Giant playground, the castle of Caernarfon can be discovered through towers and underground passages, cul-de-sacs, ramparts, spiral staircases? Also don't miss the Castle Museum and the Royal Wales Rifle Museum.

It is the most impressive Norman fortress ruin in the valley and the first stone castle built in the United Kingdom. Following the victory of Hastings in 1066, William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, became King of England and organized the defence of his new territory. Hereford County was entrusted to William Fitz-Osbern, who had the first building of Chepstow Castle built to counter the Welsh attacks: the Great Tower, now at the centre of the overall structure. In 1189, the building passed into the hands of William Marshal. This knight, renowned for his military knowledge, had defensive walls added on either side of the Great Tower, which corresponded to the castle's current enclosure. The entrance was built under his reign, flanked by round towers, a revolutionary detail at a time when the towers were square. The impressive oak doors, also built by Marshal, are the oldest castle doors in Europe!

The Marten's Tower was added between 1285 and 1293, under the reign of Roger Bigod. The castle houses a museum that reconstructs the entire history of the building, particularly through its constant architectural improvements, from a defensive point of view. It is considered by specialists as exemplary in this respect, having always known how to adapt to new attack techniques and often in an innovative way. Aesthetically, it is a pleasure to walk through the impressive volumes of the fortress and contemplate the river.

The origins of this architectural treasure lie in a Roman fort built over 2,000 years ago. The Romans had erected fortifications to make Cardiff a naval base and trading post. In the ^11th century, the Normans used the Roman walls as foundations to build their own fortress. And finally, after several changes of ownership, in the ^18th century Cardiff Castle became the property of Wales' best-known family, the Bute family. At the end of the ^19th century, the third Marquess of Bute, reputed to be the richest man in Europe at the time, reinvented Cardiff Castle with the help of architect William Burges (1827-1881). The combination of these two men, a young polyglot with a passion for the natural sciences and an extravagant architect with a love of the Middle Ages, led to the creation of a castle unlike any other in the area. The style is marked by medieval characteristics, with an abundance of gold, raspberry and duck blue, a mix of genres and inscriptions in Greek, Hebrew and Latin. The nursery, whose tiled walls illustrate thirty children's stories, from Robin Hood to Sleeping Beauty, is a marvel. Each room has a different style; from the patio, a pale copy of Pompeii, to the winter salon, the only constant is the repetition of images and paintings of parrots, Burges' favorite animal. Discover these wonders on a guided tour, which we strongly recommend you take.

Built for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, on the site of the old Arms Park sports arena, this is a mythical stadium for the Welsh! Imposing and modern, it is the second largest stadium in the world to feature a fully retractable roof. Since January^1, 2016, and for the next ten years, the Millennium Stadium has been renamed Principality Stadium, after the Cardiff-based Principality Building Society. The Welsh rugby union has signed a naming contract (a kind of sponsorship) worth £15 million. This huge modern saucer can accommodate up to 74,500 spectators!
Rugby matches are the most impressive international events. You've got to see Cardiff on the day of a national rugby team match! You can feel the Welsh fervor in the streets as the day progresses. There are also soccer matches, motorcycle rallies, car races and concerts that attract huge crowds. The program is extensive and exhaustive. It is published on the stadium's website.

Visit Principality Stadium: home of the "Red Devils". It's possible (and highly recommended!) to explore this magnificent stadium, one of the most impressive icons of modern Wales, with a visit to the press conference room, VIP lounge, changing rooms, players' tunnel to the "sacred turf"... Impressive!

This huge shopping and leisure area of Mermaid Quay (14,000 ^m2) is one of the spearheads of the new image of Cardiff Harbour. A symbol of the refurbishment of the dock area, opened in 1999, it now offers a wide range of shops, restaurants, cafes and services. Many of the centre's restaurants, such as Las Iguanas and Bill's, are also located here. And if you are ever in search of a good hairdresser or barber, Ken Picton's salon is very well known!

Built between 1283 and 1289 by Edward ^I, Conwy is one of the castles commissioned by the King. It took 6 years and 1,500 workers to build the ramparts and fortress, a feat of ^13th-century military architecture. In peacetime, 30 soldiers could protect the castle, as it was built in such a way as to prevent the enemy from entering. In those days, the nobles lived in the towers and the soldiers slept in what was once the great hall below. The inner courtyard was accessible by water. The panoramic view from the turrets is magnificent.

At the bottom of Monnow Street is the old fortified bridge of the city and the door that marked the entrance to the th century.

Dominating an impressive 12-hectare site, this castle is the most imposing in the country and the second largest in Britain, after Windsor. It is the perfect example of a medieval castle: crenellated towers, drawbridge, keeps... Built on the remains of a Roman fort and the ruins of a Norman fort, the castle was erected in the ^13th century by the Anglo-Norman lord Gilbert de Clare for defensive purposes: to protect himself from Llywelyn the Great. However, Llywelyn the Great succeeded in destroying a large part of the castle, and the English quickly rebuilt it.

It is undoubtedly the most popular market in the region and one of the best places to enjoy the atmosphere of the area. Tuesday is the most important day, the day when people come from all over the Brecon Beacons to buy vegetables, fish and meat. In addition to food, there is a little bit of everything: clothes and jewellery, craftsmen working with wood, leather or wool. A hundred stands animate the huge covered hall every day: you will probably not be disappointed by the atmosphere!

Built in the 13th century, the castle is located in a very strategic place: it dominates the village and the sea from the top of the rock, and is part of the famous chain of castles built by Edward I to ensure his new conquests. Owain Glyndwr, an important figure in the country's history, conquered the castle in 1404 and lived there for five years, making Harlech the capital of Wales. If the weather is clear, the views are particularly magnificent, one can see Tremadog Bay and the mountains in the distance.

At the time, it was said that two trips to St. David's was worth a pilgrimage to Rome. Thousands of people came here, making St. David's a major pilgrimage centre in the country. The architectural ambitions of the Bishop of Gower were high and made the complex a model of medieval refinement. Between 1328 and 1347 he transformed this old building for servants and animals into a huge palace. Built behind the cathedral between the 13th and 14th centuries, this imposing palace was once reserved for the nobility and the clergy. It shows the importance of this stage on the road to Compostela. Now in ruins, it is still impressive. The palace is built around the central garden. The east was devoted to the private spaces of the bishop, with his bedroom, small reception room and kitchens at the end, articulating the apartments with the south wing, rather devoted to the public spaces of reception. The room next to the lobby was probably used to house important visitors to St. David's. The western part probably served as a dormitory, where lesser visitors were housed. Numerous architectural details appear during the visit, which bear witness to the building's past splendour: finely decorated windows and arches, corbels sculpted in the shape of a face or animal, decoration of the arcades... Now in ruins, it remains, nevertheless, an impressive monument.

In the northeast of the city, there is an old Roman amphitheatre discovered in the 1960s. Far from being as grandiose as the ruins of Caerleon, the "Cavea" (semi-circular terraces distributed by radiant stairs) is still 46 metres long.

The Romans established their presence in Carmarthen in 75 AD. This amphitheatre, the westernmost in the Roman Empire, is also one of the seven still visible in Britain! Objects from various excavations in the area can be found at the Carmarthenshire County Museum in Abergwili.

In the small village of Tongwynlais stands the neo-Gothic style Coch Castle with its pointed roofs. In the middle of the woods, Castell Coch is the result of a whim of the architect William Burges who transformed the ruins of a 13th century building into a magical castle worthy of Walt Disney's most beautiful films.

Castell Coch was the summer residence of the wealthy Bute family, who also owned Cardiff Castle. The massive towers with their conical roofs house exuberant apartments, decorated with decor inspired by nature, legends and mythology.

The best preserved Roman amphitheatre in the country, built around 90 AD and now covered by grass. The arena was oval in shape, with eight entrances. Up to 6,000 spectators gathered on the stands more than 2,000 years ago to watch gladiatorial battles. The remains of the baths built for the soldiers who arrived around 74 AD consisted of rooms for hot and cold baths, exercise rooms, an open-air swimming pool...

It was built by Llywelyn the Great. This castle is quite different from the others in Llywelyn: it might even have been inspired by an English castle to make the plans! It was probably built between 1230 and 1240, then conquered by the English King Edward I in 1283. The latter considerably fortified the castle. He adapted the towers to catapult throwing. It was not until more than a century later that it fell into Welsh hands, those of the mythical hero, Owain Glyndwr, who seized the castle in 1404 during the Welsh Revolution.

Built between 1820 and 1830 by the miners with money from the slate quarries, for the benefit of their boss George Dawkins-Pennant, this small palace with its 300 rooms is considered by the Welsh as a mark of oppression of the rich English bosses. Nevertheless, just for the size of the castle and its excellent state of preservation, a visit is well worthwhile. It is also possible to visit only those gardens that are worth the detour, especially in winter when the castle is closed. Or the summer if you want to cut back a little bit.