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Conwy castle. Photo by Mike Peel –

Top 10 interesting facts about Conwy castle

Conwy castle is located in north wales. The castle was built by Edward I of England during his conquest of Wales. That happened between1283 -1287. It was constructed as part of a wider project to create the walled town of Conwy. The castle is enclosed by the great Orme Peninsula and boat backdrops of the mountains of Snowdonia.

Conwy castle surroundings dominated the walls that were built to function as a defence for the enclosed town. It has historical structures that are classed as the finest and most complete examples of a medieval town in Europe

1294 the Conwy castle was besieged by Madog ap Llywelyn during the period of Welsh rebellion against the English Authority. In the 14th century, it became the refuge of Richard II from the forces of Henry Bolingbroke who took the throne as Henry IV.

The castle faced conflict with the welsh in 1401 during the rebellion of Owain Glyndwr. Rhys and Gywlim ap Tudur who were Glyndwr’s cousins launched a surprise attack on the castle. They sneaked in as carpenters before killing the guard and taking control f the fortress for 3 months.

1. The castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site

Conwy castle was listed as a scheduled monument and Grade I listed building since 1950. The castle has been inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1986. Including the town walls that were built by Edward I. An approximation of about 100,000 people visit the cattle every year. Making the castle one of the most popular tourist attractions in Wales.

2. Conwy castle has a twin castle

Conwy castle. Photo by Jake  –  

The castle has a twin castle called Himeji castle. It is located in Hyogo prefecture in the Kansai region of Honshu which is the largest island in Japan. The twinning of the castles was described as the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The construction of the two buildings started within 50 years of each. The castle in Japan was constructed in1333.

3. The castle was built by the great architect of the European Middle Ages

 King Edward commanded the design and the structure including the directions of the building progress. The construction of Conwy castle was under the supervision of the most renowned architects of the middle age and was named James of Saint George. He was originally from the Savoy region in France.  Jame was the lead architect of several castles in the north of Wales including Harlech, Caernarfon and Beaumaris.

4. Conwy castle architectural style

Conwy castle view. Photo by Raintheone –

The castle is one of the outstanding examples of late 13 century and early 14-century military construction in Europe. It is located on the seashore. The shoreline is composed of a variety of materials like grey sandstone and limestone. The stone was used to construct the majority of the castle.

The rectangular castle was divided into two sections the inner ward and the outward. That consists of four towers.

The inner ward was designed to resemble a miniature replica of the royal palace. The wall, gate and ditch were erected for protection in the event of an emergency or an assault. It was separated from the outer ward that would defend against welsh rebellion invaders.

The four protective towers were made for the inner ward. The royal was erected on all the towers. It has the royal residence inside.  The bakehouse tower stood tall as the watchtower of the walled town in the Conwy castle.

5. The Conwy castle is the walled town

Conwy castle is the most complete that is standing in Uk though there are many medieval walled towns around the world. The oldest structure in the town is part of a wall. While the southern end of the east side. Most people who are born within the town walls of Conwy are nicknamed ‘jackdaw’ after the jackdaws that live on the walls.

6. The Conwy castle suspension Bridge

View of the castle with Thomas Telford’s suspension bridge in the foreground
Conwy Castle. Photo by Cadw –  

Conwy suspension bridge is the other popular attraction site in the town. The bridge was designed by Thomas Telford. He designed the bridge supporting towers to match the turrets of the castle. The construction of the bridge finished in 1826. It was built to replace the ferry and spans the river Conwy that is next to the castle. The bridge was opened to pedestrians only and it is in the care of the National Trust.

7. Conwy castle is the painted castle

It is one o the best-preserved castles in north Wales. The castle has stunning towers and walls. They have been the subject of many photographs and paintings. In around the 18th -19th century before the castle was turned into a tourist attraction the ruins were considered picturesque. Artists like Thomas Girton, Paul Sandby and J.M.W Turner have immortalised the castle with paint.

8. The Conwy castle is among the epic medieval castles

Conwy castle. Photo by Steve –

Conwy castle is the medieval military masterpiece of James of St George. He constructed it under the order of English king Edward I. The castle was one of the rings of strongholds that the monarch commissioned to establish dominance over Wales. With the monumental towers and turrets and their position over the Conwy estuary. Today the castle stands as an incredibly picturesque and an impressive site

9. Richard II surrendered to English  rebels at Conwy

In 1399 Richard II fled for his life to Conwy castle from Henry Bolingbroke. Whilst there the Earl of Northumberland persuaded him to leave the fortification. But they doublecrossed him and handed him to Henry. This was the end of Richard’s freedom and position as the king.

Richard II was promised by Henry IV that he will not be harmed in the chapel of Conwy castle. Richard died in the captivity at the Pontefract castle in 1400 where he starved to death

10. The castle is defended by eight large towers

Conwy castle. Photo by Jakeredmond – – 

Conwy castle consists of eight towers. All the towers were used for defence. The castle had two barbicans. A barbican is a defended outpost. They are typically situated on the connecting walls / above the bridges and gates. The barbicans at Conwy castle can be seen on the getaways