CAERNARFON CASTLE

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

Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, Caernarfon is not only 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, Caernarfon was the site of the 1969 investiture of Elizabeth II's son Charles as Prince of Wales. Since 1282, the date of the English victory over 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 had promised the Welsh a non-English-speaking prince born in Wales. Edward II, born in Caernarfon, spoke neither English nor Welsh... It wasn't until 1911 that Welsh Prime Minister Lloyd George demanded that the investiture take place in Caernarfon, in Wales. On display at the castle is the throne specially designed for the occasion, as well as a specimen chair and everything else that was made for the ceremony.

A giant playground, Caernarfon Castle can be explored through towers and underground passages, dead ends, ramparts and spiral staircases... Don't miss the Castle Museum and the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Museum.