Cardiff Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cardiff Castle |
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| Castle Quarter, Cardiff, Wales | |
Aerial view of Cardiff Castle
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Logo of Cardiff Castle
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 Cardiff Castle
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| Coordinates | 51°28′56″N 3°10′52″W / 51.4823°N 3.1812°W |
| Grid reference | grid reference ST179766 |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Cardiff Council |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | Late 11th century; current appearance the result of Victorian era renovations |
| In use | Tourist attraction |
| Events | Norman invasion of Wales Despenser War Glyndŵr Rising English Civil War Second World War |
| Official name | Cardiff Castle and Roman Fort |
| Reference no. | GM171 |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name | Cardiff Castle |
| Designated | 12 February 1952 |
| Reference no. | 13662 |
| Official name | Cardiff Castle and Bute Park |
| Designated | 1 February 2022 |
| Reference no. | PGW(Gm)22(CDF) |
| Listing | Grade I |
Cardiff Castle (Welsh: Castell Caerdydd) is a fascinating place in the heart of Cardiff, Wales. It's a mix of an old medieval castle and a grand Victorian mansion. Imagine a building that has seen over 2,000 years of history!
The castle started as a Roman fort way back in the 3rd century. Later, in the late 11th century, Normans built a motte and bailey castle right on top of the Roman ruins. This castle became super important for the medieval town of Cardiff. Over the centuries, it was rebuilt many times, especially in stone. It even got attacked during different wars.
In the 18th century, the castle was taken over by the wealthy Bute family. They completely changed it, especially the 3rd Marquess of Bute. He hired a famous architect named William Burges to transform it into the amazing Gothic Revival mansion you see today. Burges made the inside incredibly fancy and detailed.
Today, Cardiff Castle is a popular place for tourists to visit. You can explore its ancient walls, fancy rooms, and beautiful grounds. It also hosts cool events like concerts and festivals.
Contents
Cardiff Castle: A Historic Welsh Gem
From Roman Fort to Medieval Stronghold
Early Days as a Roman Fort
The land where Cardiff Castle stands was first used by the Romans around 55 AD. They built a fort there to protect their southern border in Wales. This first fort was quite large. Later, two smaller forts were built on the same spot.
Around the middle of the 3rd century, a fourth Roman fort was built. This one was designed to fight pirates along the coast. It was almost square, about 635 feet by 603 feet, and made of limestone. The River Taff flowed along one side, and the sea was much closer back then. This fort was used until at least the late 4th century. After that, the site was empty until the Normans arrived.
Norman Builders and Their Castle
The Normans started moving into South Wales in the late 1060s. They built castles, often on old Roman sites, because it saved a lot of work. Cardiff Castle was built during this time. It might have been built by William the Conqueror in 1081, or by Robert Fitzhamon around 1091. Fitzhamon used it as a base to take over southern Glamorgan. The location was perfect: close to the sea for supplies, protected by rivers, and near an old Roman road.
Cardiff Castle was a motte-and-bailey castle. The Normans used the old Roman walls as a base for the outer part of the castle. They dug a trench and built a 27-foot-high earth bank. They also divided the castle into an inner and outer area. In the north-west corner, they built a wooden keep on top of a 40-foot-tall earth mound, or motte. This motte was the biggest in Wales! The whole castle covered about 8.25 acres.
Local knights had to help protect the castle. Some even had to live in "houses" inside the outer part of the castle. The medieval town of Cardiff grew up just south of the castle.
Changes Through the Centuries
In 1122, King Henry I gave the castle to his son, Robert of Gloucester. Robert's half-brother, Robert Curthose, was even imprisoned here until he died in 1134. Around the mid-12th century, a 77-foot-wide, 30-foot-high stone shell keep was built on top of the motte. A stone wall was also added around the inner part of the castle.
Conflicts with the Welsh continued. In 1158, a Welsh leader named Ifor Bach raided the castle and captured William, Robert's son. By 1184, stone walls were built around the town of Cardiff. The castle then passed to the de Clare family. Richard de Clare built the Black Tower in the late 13th century, which you can still see today as part of the southern entrance.
In 1314, the castle went to Hugh Despenser the Younger, a friend of King Edward II. There was a Welsh rebellion in 1316 led by Llywelyn Bren. He was captured and imprisoned in Cardiff Castle. The castle was also attacked in 1321 during a war between powerful lords.
The Warwicks and the Tudors
By the 15th century, the Despenser family used another castle more often. In 1404, during the revolt of Owain Glyndŵr, Cardiff and the castle were captured by rebels. This caused a lot of damage to the Black Tower.
The castle then passed to the Beauchamp family. Richard de Beauchamp rebuilt parts of the castle. He added a new tower next to the Black Tower in 1430. He also built a large new living area on the west side between 1425 and 1439. This area had a tall, 75-foot-high octagonal tower. A flower garden was also created. Richard also rebuilt the town's defenses, including a new stone bridge.
After the Wars of the Roses, the castle became less important for defense. In 1495, King Henry VII changed the castle's status, bringing it under normal English law. In 1550, the Herbert family bought the castle. They added an Elizabethan extension to the main building. The Black Tower was used as a prison during this time.
Civil War and Georgian Changes
In 1642, the English Civil War began. Cardiff Castle was owned by Philip Herbert, who supported Parliament. The castle was captured and recaptured several times by both sides. In 1645, King Charles I himself visited the castle. Later, in 1648, a Royalist army tried to retake Cardiff, leading to the Battle of St Fagans nearby.
After the war, many castles were destroyed, but Cardiff Castle was saved. It was used by a Parliament garrison to protect against possible invasions. The Herbert family continued to own it.
In 1733, the castle passed to the Stuart family, the Marquesses of Bute. In 1776, John, Lord Mount Stuart, started renovating the castle. He hired famous landscape designer Capability Brown and architect Henry Holland. They destroyed the wall between the inner and outer parts of the castle and flattened the ground. They also changed the main living areas to look more modern for the 18th century. The old keep and motte were cleaned up, and a path was added.
The Bute Family's Grand Transformation
A Victorian Makeover by William Burges
In 1814, John, the 2nd Marquess, inherited the castle. He invested a lot in the Cardiff Docks, which helped Cardiff become a major coal port. This made the Bute family incredibly rich. By 1900, they owned 22,000 acres of land in Glamorgan.
The 2nd Marquess didn't live at Cardiff Castle much. But in 1848, his grandson, John, the 3rd Marquess of Bute, inherited it. He disliked the castle's look and wanted something grander. He hired the architect William Burges, who loved medieval Gothic style. With Bute's huge wealth, Burges was able to rebuild the castle in a spectacular way.
Work began in 1868 with the building of the 150-foot-high Clock Tower. This tower had special rooms for the Marquess, including a bedroom and fancy smoking rooms. The outside of the tower was a unique design by Burges. Inside, the rooms were incredibly decorated with gold, carvings, and colorful pictures. The Summer Smoking Room at the top had amazing views of Cardiff Docks and the countryside.
Amazing Rooms and Features
Burges continued to transform the rest of the castle. He built the Guest Tower, the Arab Room, the Chaucer Room, the Library, and the Banqueting Hall. The Bute Tower had Lord Bute's bedroom and a Roof Garden with a statue of the Madonna and child. The Octagon Tower included a small chapel.
The center of the castle had a huge two-story banqueting hall, with the library below it. Both had detailed carvings and fireplaces. The Arab Room in the Herbert Tower is one of Burges's most famous creations, with its unique "jelly mould" ceiling in a Moorish style. Burges was working on this room when he died.
Many people have praised Burges's interiors at Cardiff Castle, calling them some of the most magnificent examples of the Gothic Revival style. They are like stepping into a fairy tale!
Burges also worked on the castle grounds. When they were digging, they found the remains of the old Roman fort! New walls were built in a Roman style on top of the originals, including a reconstructed Roman North Gate. The castle grounds were planted with many trees and shrubs.
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The famous Animal Wall was built along the south side of the castle. It's decorated with fun statues of animals. The Swiss Bridge, a mix of a summerhouse and a bridge, was built over the river.
Cardiff Castle Today
A Popular Tourist Spot
In 1900, John, the 4th Marquess, inherited the castle. Over time, the Bute family sold off most of their lands and businesses around Cardiff.
During World War II, the castle played an important role. Long tunnels inside the medieval walls were used as air raid shelters. These tunnels could hold up to 1,800 people! The castle was also used to hold barrage balloons above the city to protect it from air attacks.
In 1947, John, the 5th Marquess, gave the castle and its park to the City of Cardiff. It was a gift to the people of Cardiff!
Today, Cardiff Castle is a major tourist attraction and one of the most popular places to visit in the city. While most of the original furniture was removed, the amazing details designed by Burges in the Clock Tower have been restored. The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama used to be in the castle, but now it's in the former stables nearby. There's also a modern visitor center and the "Firing Line" museum, which tells the story of Welsh soldiers.
The castle is also a popular place for events. Many famous musicians like Tom Jones and Green Day have performed concerts there. It can hold over 10,000 people!
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Cardiff para niños
- List of castles in Wales
- Castles in Great Britain and Ireland
- Grade I listed buildings in Cardiff
- List of tallest buildings in Cardiff
