Caernarfon town walls, Medieval defensive walls in Caernarfon, Wales
Caernarfon town walls form a defensive circuit that stretches roughly 734 meters and includes eight towers and two gatehouses around the town center. The limestone structure creates an almost complete protective ring that can be seen from the surrounding streets.
King Edward I ordered the construction of these walls between 1283 and 1292 as part of his plan to secure English control over North Wales. This fortification was part of a larger campaign to establish dominance in the region through strategic defenses.
The walls represent a shift in how the town functioned over time, with Welsh residents eventually gaining entry to the fortified area starting in 1507. This change shows how relationships between the occupiers and local people gradually evolved.
The walls themselves are not open for walking, but visitors can view the entire structure from the streets that surround it. The best way to see all the details is to walk slowly around the town and observe different angles of the fortification.
The East Gate served as the primary land entrance, while the West Gate could only be reached from the sea during the 13th century. This different design shows how the original builders planned defenses to control both overland and maritime access.
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