It is interesting to know

CARDIFF CASTLE

At first glance, Cardiff’s city centre seems an unlikely place to find a castle. The capital of Wales is a typical city, busy, laden with traffic, shoppers searching for a good buy. The National Museum of Wales offers impressive exhibits of Welsh history and cultural development. However, in the midst of this urbanisation Cardiff’s ancient past is grandly displayed in the form of a fine castle.

It is actually the combined work of more than one building period, the masonry remains, of which are clearly visible in the structure. Ones initial impression of the castle is sudden based upon Victorian-age renovations Hallmarked by the ornate Clock Tower. The marvellous Clock Tower with its colourful art work, contrasts dramatically with earlier stone work at the castle. Inside and out, the Victorian additions startle and dazzle. Over and over, throughout the castle, the 19th century interiors are decorated with such flamboyant ancient gaudy embellishment that the original features of the castle are greatly overshadowed almost to the point of complete invisibility. Astrological symbols, nature’s creatures, the pleasures of the seasons, biblical characters dressed in gilt robes, Moorish designs, and heraldic features are some of themes that run rampant throughout Bute`s castle. Flowing fountains, rich greenery and incredible marble fireplaces accentuate the astounding effect of their creators medievalist yearnings.

Most likely, the Romans built earliest settlement at Cardiff in the mid-first century A.D. A site of great strategic value along the extensive network of Roman roads in Wales, Cardiff sat along the main link between Caerleon and Carmarthen. The Romans constructed a 10- acre fort on the spot where the castle now rests. Inside the walls would have been barracks, workshops stores and other essential buildings. Much of what does remain from the Roman period is now clearly visible as you approach the main entrance into the base of the later Norman walls, separated from later stone work by a narrow layer of red sandstone.

The first Norman castle was built on the site in about 1091, by Robert Fitzhamon, Lord of Gloucester and one of the Conquerors favoured followers and earth and timber fortification merely a mound and bailey.

In 1306 the castle passed to Britain’s notorious Despenser family and remained their possession for almost 100 tears. In 1550,Willam Herbert, member of one of Britain’s most powerful medieval families obtained control of Cardiff Castle, which he embellished to some degree. During Civil War the Herberts sided with their king, Charles I. offering him refuge in the summer of 1645. Cardiff Castle was a prize sought by both sides of the struggle, but it was eventually taken by Oliver Cromwells army. In 1776 the last Herbert hair, Charlotte Jane, passed the estates to her husband John Stuart, soon to become the Earl of Bute.

The Butes were to have incredible impact on the development of Cardiff into the city we see today. In 1947, Cardiff Castle was turned over to the care and trust of the people of the city and Cardiff City Council maintains the site in outstanding condition. The castle, including its ornate interiors and enchanting Norman fortress is open to the public, for a fee, on most days. It is a remarkable tribute to all the individuals who lived and dreamed inside its walls.