By: Admin
History of Cardiff Castle.
Cardiff Castle is an eclectic mix of medieval and Victorian architecture. One part Gothic mansion and one part Norman keep, all constructed over several Roman forts. With such a varied history it is no surprise that Cardiff Castle is one of the main visitor attractions in Wales and is considered an internationally significant site. Located in the heart of Cardiff`s capital and set in beautiful parklands, the Castle conceals 2,000 years of fascinating history within its fairytale towers.
The Roman fort was built around AD 55 during the invasion of the Silures tribe. Archaeological excavations indicate that four forts were the original occupants of the Castle`s present site. The original Roman wall is still visible today.
After the Norman invasion the keep was erected. Built on the site of a Roman castra, the first keep was raised by Robert Fitzhamon, who was Lord of Gloucester, in 1091. This was followed by medieval fortifications, additional dwellings and the replacement of wooden structures with stone.
During the 18th century Cardiff castle came into the possession of John Stuart, the 3rd Earl of Bute, who by the 1860s had the reputation of being the wealthiest man in the world. From 1866 an architect, William Burges, was tasked with transforming the Castle. In the gothic towers lavish, opulent interiors were created, made up of murals and stained glass, with marble, gold-leaf and elaborately carved wood. The design turned the castle into what can only be described as a 19th century vision of a medieval palace. Consisting of a sequence of themed rooms, to include Italian decoration, Mediterranean gardens and Arabian embellishment, Cardiff castle was the last great success of the gothic revival period. The interiors of the castle were some of the most splendid ever achieved and its silhouette will forever be associated with the skyline of the city.
By the time the 3rd Marquis died, in 1900, Cardiff Castle had been transformed into a Welsh Camelot and was highly regarded as an internationally significant centre. The 4th Marquis finished most of his predecessor`s restoration plans including reconstruction of the original Roman wall. The Bute family were living in the Castle up until the 1930s and in 1947 the fifth Marquis gifted both the castle and the parkland to the City. The Castle houses a regimental museum in addition to the old castles ruins and the Victorian reconstruction.
If you are a visitor it is worthwhile finding hotels near Cardiff castle as it is not only one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city but also plays host to a number of big events throughout the year. The castle has been the venue for several rock concerts as well as other performances and each year hosts the University of Cardiff`s Summer Ball. The largest Mardi Gras in Wales is held here every August and the castle was selected by Dan Cruickshank for inclusion in the BBC`s book `The Story of Britain`s Best Buildings`.
