Nestled in the heart of North Wales, Snowdonia got its name and fame for its enthralling natural beauty as well as amazing historical sites. The history lovers would love to explore the burial sites of the ancient times or travel round the medieval forts, castles and the grand architectural sites of the Victorian age. This small region of North Wales is soaked with remnants of the past.
- Snowdonia OneEighteen / Foter.com / CC BY-NC
Here are the six historical sites that you must visit as a history lover on your next visit to Snowdonia.
Caernarfon Castle
This is one of the most formidable castles present in Snowdonia that was built by the Roman King Edward I in 1283. It was constructed with the aim of establishing their military power after conquering this region. The unique architectural style of this castle was designed with the aim of competing with the grand architectures of Rome and Constantinople, the main seat of Roman power. The tall polygonal towers are the distinctive feature of this castle that speaks a lot about the skills of the medieval engineers.
Harlech Castle
Harlech castle is one of the finest examples of forts of the medieval period which was built close to the Irish Sea. This concentric castle was built on the Harlech rock with sandstone. This fort was primarily built to hold the Welsh and had close resemblance with the Savoy style of architecture. This castle is now one of the World Heritage sites. While exploring this ancient monument do not forget to watch the magnificent landscape and majestic Snowdonia Mountains from the top of this imposing monument.
Cowny Castle
This castle is located on the mouth of the river Cowny. It is one of the castles that belongs to the ‘iron ring’ fortress of Snowdonia. The imposing structure of this castle will definitely impress the history buffs. This castle was built under the initiative of Edward I and is one of the finest examples of medieval architecture because of which it has been deemed as a World heritage site by UNESCO.
Criccieth Castle
The twin towered Criccieth Castle has witnessed innumerable number of wars waged between the Welsh and English kings. It was built by the Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great but later on Edward I took over the castle and modernized it by integrating another tower specially for throwing stone. Explore different parts of this impressive castle as it will help in getting a better understanding of the Welsh history.
Portmeirion Village
This small town of the Snowdonia region is a classic example of the blend of the old and the modern style of architecture. The buildings of the Portmeirion Village might appear to be very old but these were constructed in the 20th century. The old buildings present in these areas are restored with the incorporation of modern elements within it, whereas the new building constructed in this town have traditional features. Thus it a must see for all the history lovers as they will be able get an overview of the traditional and contemporary style of architecture.
Prehistoric Sites
Some prehistoric sites have also been found in the Snowdonia. The Bachwen burial chamber around Harlech and the fort of Dinas Dinlle are the most prominent among them. These sites will specially draw the attention of the history students and archaeologists who have researching about the lifestyle of the ancient people.
As per CEO of www.northwalesborderlands.co.uk, apart from its stunning natural beauty, Snowdonia also has rich culture and tradition. Touring round Snowdonia will provide the visitors with an authentic taste of the Welsh culture, tradition and history. Find out some quality time to move around the heartland of North Wales to enrich your knowledge and get relaxed as well.
