Plas Mawr, Elizabethan townhouse in Conwy, Wales
Plas Mawr is a three-story limestone townhouse built in the 1580s, known for its elaborate interior plasterwork and carved wooden details. The structure contains seventeen rooms with decorative patterns and heraldic symbols covering walls and ceilings throughout the property.
The house was constructed between 1576 and 1585 by Robert Wynn, a Welsh merchant who had served in European royal courts. Wynn's significant investment reflects the wealth that merchants could accumulate and the power they gained through such grand building projects.
The house reveals how wealthy Tudor merchants displayed their status through elaborate plasterwork and painted surfaces throughout its rooms. The interior decoration shows the social aspirations of merchants who had gained prosperity through trade.
The property can be visited through guided tours that provide helpful context for understanding the rooms and their original uses. Multiple staircases connect the three levels, so visitors should be prepared for stairs when exploring the different floors.
The initials RW of the original owner are woven into decorative elements across multiple rooms, marking his ownership and status in an unexpected way. These personal signatures appear on various surfaces throughout the house, revealing the pride of a successful merchant.
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