Nantyglo Round Towers, Defensive fortification towers in Nantyglo, Wales.
Nantyglo Round Towers are two circular stone structures with cast iron fittings positioned at opposite corners of Roundhouse Farm. The north-east tower retains its original form with an iron-plated roof, while the south-west tower stands in partial ruin.
Ironmaster Joseph Bailey constructed these towers between 1816 and 1822 following worker unrest over wage cuts at his ironworks. The structures arose as a direct response to rising tensions that had led to riots among his employees.
The towers reflect tensions between factory owners and workers during South Wales' early industrial period. They show how proprietors used such structures to display control over their workforce and surroundings.
The towers are visible from outside but not open to public access. You can view the structures from the surrounding area and appreciate their distinctive circular form from a distance.
These towers contain some of the earliest examples of cast iron used structurally in British architecture, with internal beams and door frames made from this material. This innovative construction was ahead of its time and demonstrates the advanced engineering capabilities of the early 1800s.
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