Conwy Castle, Medieval fortress in Conwy, Wales.
Conwy Castle is a medieval fortress in Conwy, North Wales, built on a rocky outcrop above the river. Eight round towers surround two courtyards separated by an inner wall, forming a rectangular compound that follows the shape of the ridge.
King Edward I had the fortress built between 1283 and 1287 by master mason James of Saint George as part of his conquest of Wales. The structure was completed within a few years and later served as a refuge during the Welsh uprising in the early 15th century.
The fortress takes its name from the Welsh word for the estuary and still shows traces of royal power through its great hall and chambers with fireplaces and decorative details. Visitors can walk through the residential quarters and see how the layout was designed to accommodate a medieval ruler and his household.
Visitors can climb staircases inside the towers to reach different levels and explore the inner chambers and wall walks. The upper areas offer views over the river and bay, though sturdy footwear is recommended because of the uneven steps.
The structure was completed in just four years, which was unusually fast for a fortress of this size and required a large workforce. Some of the original plaster coating on the walls survives today and shows how the fortress once appeared.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
