lundi 29 mai 2017

Anglophiles, And History And Architecture Buffs Enthusiastically Tour Wales Castles

By Andrew McDonald


Visiting the Welsh countryside is a special event for the people who have the chance to go. Most are surprised by how different this country is from the rest of the United Kingdom. One great way to experience the history and ingenuity of the Welsh people is to tour Wales castles. There are hundreds to choose from, and each one is unique and special. Many have famous gardens for tourists to enjoy.

Edward I, who came to power late thirteenth century, had a major influence on the architecture of this country's castles. Prior to his reign most of them were built in a motte and bailey design, which is commonly seen in other areas around the United Kingdom. The Edwardian style, as it came to be known, consists of a walled exterior, turrets, and towers. It gives the appearance of the castles most people recognize and have seen in animated film features for many years.

Once such castle, that looks like it was taken from the pages of Sleeping Beauty, is Hensol Castle. It is new construction by Welsh standards, having been erected in the nineteenth century. In the 1930s it was turned into a mental hospital and operated as such until the 2003. Television and film studios have transported casts and equipment to Hensol Castle in order to incorporate it into their projects.

One structure that is extremely old is Chirk Castle located in Wrexham. It was erected at the end of the thirteenth century by an earl to guard the entrance to Ceiroig Valley. Visitors are welcome to walk through the state rooms, towers, and dungeons. The gardens are famous, and visitors should not neglect a stroll through the terraces and rock gardens.

A very popular tourist attraction in Cardiff is Cardiff Castle. The architecture is Victorian and Greek Revival. The City owns the structure and has loaned it out over the years for rock concerts and performances, including one featuring Tom Jones. The summer ball is held here every year as is the largest Mardi Gras event in this country.

Bodelwyddan Castle, part of which currently operates as a hotel, was originally erected in the mid fourteen hundreds. It was used as a place for wounded soldiers to recuperate after the First World War. It has also been used as a private girls school. In the 1980s it was refurbished so that it could house art collections owned by the National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts.

The investiture of the Prince of Wales took place in Caernarfon Castle. This fortification was redesigned by Edward I to fit his taste. The original castle design was motte and bailey. At one time it was the administrative center for the northern section of this country.

Touring castles is not something everyone has a chance to do. Walking through structures that have been in existence for hundreds of years is a special experience. Lucky visitors will have plenty of stories to tell their friends and family.




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