Bronllys Castle, Medieval castle in Bronllys, Wales
Bronllys Castle is a medieval fortress featuring a cylindrical stone keep that rises approximately 24 meters (79 feet) and stands atop a mound overlooking the Afon Llynfi valley. The round tower remains the most visible element, with surrounding earthworks and lower walls scattered across the elevated site.
An Anglo-Norman leader called Richard Fitz Pons built an initial wooden fortification around 1100 to establish control over the region during the Norman push into Wales. Later in the 13th century, the wooden structures were replaced with the stone round tower that survives today.
The round tower design reflects how builders adapted to warfare tactics of its time, creating a structure that visitors can still recognize as a key example of border defense architecture. This shape allowed defenders to cover more ground from a central position.
The site is free to enter at any time of year and sits directly beside the A479 road just south of the village center. Parking is available in a small layby opposite the castle, making it easy to stop and explore the ruins on foot.
Early in its history, a high-ranking nobleman died in an unusual accident when a stone fell and struck him during a fire that broke out at the castle. This rare event offers a glimpse into the hazards of medieval fortress life.
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