Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd facts for kids
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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The entrance of Caernarfon Castle
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| Location | Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom |
| Includes | Caernarfon Castle, Harlech Castle, Conwy Castle, Beaumaris Castle, Caernarfon town walls, Conwy town walls |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, iii, iv |
| Inscription | 1986 (10th Session) |
The Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd is a special place recognized by UNESCO. It is a World Heritage Site. This means it's important for everyone to protect.
You can find these amazing castles and town walls in Gwynedd, Wales. They include the castles of Beaumaris and Harlech. They also include the castles and town walls of Caernarfon and Conwy. Experts say they are some of the best examples of military buildings from the late 1200s and early 1300s in Europe.
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History of the Castles
For a long time, these castles were mostly known for their strong military design. People like D. J. Cathcart King called them the "best of English castle-building." This is because they used clever designs. These included concentric defences, which are walls within walls. They also had barbicans (strong towers protecting gates) and huge gatehouses. Another expert, Sidney Toy, said they were "some of the most powerful castles of any age or country."
More recently, historians like Michael Prestwich and Abigail Wheatley have looked at them differently. They see the castles not just as forts, but also as fancy homes. They were like palaces and symbols of the king's power.
The castles in Caernarfon and Conwy were built in special places. These spots were important for both military reasons and for showing political power. The castles had nice living areas and gardens. Caernarfon's castle and town walls were built with very expensive stonework. This fancy work might have been meant to remind people of King Arthur or the Roman Empire. It is believed they were built to make King Edward I look even more important.
The exact role of the royal architect, James of St George, is still discussed. People also wonder how much his home area of Savoy influenced his designs. But most sources show he was very important in building them. They even called him "Master James of Saint George, Master of the King’s Works in Wales."
Why They Are Special
In 1986, these sites were officially named a UNESCO World Heritage site. They were grouped together as the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd.
UNESCO said these sites are the "finest examples" of military buildings from the late 1200s and early 1300s in Europe. UNESCO also pointed out how important their links are to King Edward I and James of St George. They noted their large size and advanced military design. They also mentioned how well-preserved they are and how much historical information exists about them.
Looking After the Sites
It costs a lot to keep these sites in good condition. For example, in 2002–03, it cost about £239,500 to maintain them. Special "buffer zones" have been set up around the sites. These zones help protect the views and surroundings. They stop new buildings or changes that might harm the historical look. The sites are protected by different UK laws. These include Scheduled Monument, Listed Building, and conservation area laws.
Images for kids
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Portrait in Westminster Abbey, thought to be of Edward I
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Reconstruction of Conwy Castle and town walls at the end of the 13th century
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Reconstruction of Caernarfon Castle and town walls at the end of the 13th century
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Reconstruction of Harlech Castle in the early 14th century, seen from the sea
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The North Gate in Caernarfon's town walls
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John Speed recorded the future World Heritage sites in a sequence of famous 1610 maps, such as this one showing the castle and the adjacent walled town of Beaumaris.
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Harlech's gatehouse, damaged by Parliament after the English Civil War
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J. M. W. Turner's beautiful painting of Caernarfon Castle
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Conwy Castle, with three bridges from the 1800s and 1900s next to it
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The concentric design of Beaumaris meant the outer wall was completely overlooked by the castle's inner part.
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See also
In Spanish: Castillos y murallas del rey Eduardo en Gwynedd para niños
