Old College, Grade I listed university building on seafront in Aberystwyth, Wales
Old College is a university building featuring Gothic architecture with towers and crenellations overlooking the Welsh coast at Aberystwyth. The structure sits prominently on the seafront with ornate stonework and has served as an academic institution since the late 1800s.
The building was constructed in 1864 as a hotel before becoming Wales's first university college in 1872 when the original business venture failed. This transformation marked the start of organized higher education in Wales.
The building served as an early center for Welsh-language education, drawing students who wanted to maintain their cultural identity through university studies. It stands as a reminder of how education has supported Welsh traditions and language preservation.
The main entrance faces King Street and the exterior can be viewed from New Promenade and Pier Street for a complete look at the building. Visitors can walk around the entire structure to appreciate its coastal setting.
The eastern entrance features three gargoyles, including two reptilian figures named Error and Darkness along with a woman wearing a traditional Welsh hat. These decorative elements reflect the imaginative Victorian design approach embedded in the building's original hotel architecture.
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