Caerphilly Castle, Medieval castle in Caerphilly, Wales
Caerphilly Castle is a medieval fortification in the Welsh town of the same name, with double rings of walls and broad moats on all sides. The heart sits on an artificial island, surrounded by defensive towers and heavy gatehouses that once linked by drawbridges.
Gilbert de Clare began building in 1268 to hold back Welsh prince Llywelyn, finishing most of the work in just three years. Later the fortress was damaged in the English Civil War and then largely abandoned.
The name derives from Welsh "Caerffili", which ties the fortress to its local roots and marks the town center today. Visitors can walk around the water defenses and inner wards, seeing how medieval builders thought about protection layer by layer.
Access is possible year-round, usually from morning until afternoon depending on the season. Visitors can explore the walls and inner courts on foot, with sturdy shoes helpful on uneven stones.
The southeast tower leans sharply to one side because it was undermined during the Civil War but remained standing. This tilt recalls the famous Tower of Pisa and appears in many photographs of the site.
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