Last Updated on April 12, 2023 by naime

Caernarfon Castle is a magnificent medieval fortress and one of the most impressive castles in Wales. It’s situated on the banks of the River Severn and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.

An aerial view of this historic castle provides an awe-inspiring glimpse into its grandeur, which spans over 800 years. From above, visitors can admire the castle’s unique polygonal shape, four massive towers that once served as defensive strongholds against enemy attack, and two large gatehouses with drawbridges spanning across them. The intricate architecture reveals how advanced techniques were used to construct it during medieval times.

In this article, we’ll explore what a birds eye view of Caernarfon Castle looks like and all its features from up high.

History Of Caernarfon Castle

Rising imposingly from the town of Caernarfon, Wales lies a majestic castle. Its walls and towers stretch up to the sky in a many-turreted crown that can be seen for miles around. The sight is breathtaking, as if it had been sculpted by giants rather than by humans.

The history of this ancient monument dates back centuries; its original building having been commissioned by King Edward I in 1283 after his successful invasion of Wales. It was designed to serve as an administrative centre and stronghold, providing both awe and protection to those who resided within its walls.

Today, over 700 years later, much of the castle still stands tall and proud – a testament to its former owners’ determination and power.

Architecture Of The Castle

Caernarfon Castle features a polygonal shape and stands as an impressive display of medieval architecture. It is composed of eight towers, two gatehouses, and three barbicans. These are all connected by a curtain wall that was constructed from limestone blocks with some sections made from sandstone and slate.

The castle walls have been adapted over the centuries to accommodate modern warfare techniques, though its overall geometric layout has remained consistent since it was first built in 1283. The use of a polygonal design provided several advantages when constructing Caernarfon Castle. By creating multiple points along the perimeter, attackers had fewer opportunities to breach the defences compared to other designs such as concentric castles.

Additionally, there were numerous places for soldiers to safely fire projectiles at enemies below without being exposed themselves. Moving on, this section will explore further advantages of using a polygonal shape when building fortifications like Caernarfon Castle.

Advantages Of A Polygonal Shape

The polygonal shape of Caernarfon Castle gives it a unique advantage. Its walls are thick and strong, but the angles created by its shape also make it incredibly sturdy against attack.

It’s like the castle is surrounded by an unbreakable triangle – enemies have to work around each corner in order to penetrate the fortress. This strength was essential at a time when battles were fought with trebuchets and arrows from afar.

The angular design made it difficult for attackers to get within range of their weapons, creating an almost impenetrable defense system that kept inhabitants safe from harm. This allowed them to remain secure even in times of conflict, giving them peace of mind during tumultuous periods.

By protecting those inside, this particular design choice helped ensure the success of Caerfaron Castle over hundreds of years. To further enhance this protective power, additional defensive features were added throughout the centuries — such as towers and moats — allowing it to withstand numerous sieges and assaults through history.

Defensive Features Of The Castle

Polygonal shapes are often used for defensive purposes, and Caernarfon Castle is a fine example. The walls of the castle form an irregular polygon with eight towers, creating a formidable barrier against potential attackers.

Its impressive gatehouses were designed to make entering the castle extremely difficult and time-consuming; even if enemies managed to breach them it was highly likely they would be unable to advance further into the stronghold. Additionally, these features allowed defenders within the castle to control access, providing an extra layer of security.

The towers and gatehouses played an important role in making Caernarfon Castle so impregnable; each structure contained vital defensive mechanisms that could be employed during invasions or sieges. These included slits for archers at different levels as well as machicolations – openings through which objects such as stones, boiling oil or sand could be thrown onto any assailants attacking from outside.

Furthermore, many of the towers had drawbridges and portcullises that gave even more control over who entered the fortress. All these elements combined made Caernarfon Castle one of Europe’s most secure fortifications throughout its history – definitely a feat worth admiring!

Towers And Gatehouses

Caernarfon Castle has eight towers and four gatehouses. The largest of the towers is Eagle Tower, located in the southeast corner of the castle walls. It stands at 65 feet tall and was used as a royal residence during Edward I’s rule. At 80 feet wide, it also provided an impressive sight to visitors entering through one of the two main gates: Twthill Gate and Watkin’s Tower Gate. Both are decorated with large stone carvings depicting King Edward’s coat-of-arms above them.

The other six towers were built for military purposes; these include Queen’s Tower, which served as a lookout point over town, and Black Tower that could be seen from across the bay. All together, they form part of a formidable defense system designed by Edward I to protect his Welsh subjects from attack.

Looking at Caernarfon Castle from afar, its many towers and gatehouses provide evidence of its strategic importance centuries ago. From there on, we can take a closer look at some of the drawbridges that allowed access into this fortified stronghold.

Drawbridges

It has long been thought that the drawbridges of Caernarfon Castle were used to protect the castle against invasion. However, recent archaeological evidence suggests that their primary role was in fact ceremonial: designed to impress visitors with the grandeur and importance of this fortress.

The design of a typical drawbridge included several components:

an elevated platform for controlling access into the castle grounds;
a set of links or chains which suspend the bridge from either side;
a pulley system for raising and lowering the bridge over a body of water;

and guideposts on either side to provide support when raising or lowering it.

The impressive size and scale of these bridges could be seen as symbolic representations of power, meant to suggest strength, wealth, and authority.

In addition, these structures may have provided some level of physical protection if enemies attempted to breach the walls by boat.

Whatever their purpose may have been, they certainly created an awe-inspiring sight at ground level—and even more so when viewed from above!

Moving forward then, let’s take a look at what a bird’s eye view looks like.

What A Birds Eye View Looks Like

From the birds eye view, Caernarfon Castle is an impressive sight. It can be seen in all its glory from a high vantage point; with its turrets and towers standing tall and proud against the backdrop of the sky.

The walls form a protective circle around what remains of this once mighty stronghold, which was built by Edward I back in 1283. The layout of the castle complex gives it a unique look that’s difficult to find elsewhere – even if you don’t know much about castles or history, there’s no denying it has a certain beauty that must be experienced first hand.

Seeing these ancient stone walls, surrounded by lush green grass and wildflowers, can be quite humbling. One can almost imagine what life would have been like for those who lived here centuries ago. With just one glance at Caernarfon Castle from above, it’s easy to see why this landmark has become such an iconic symbol throughout Wales and beyond.

Its timeless elegance will continue to captivate visitors for years to come. A photographer capturing images of this grand structure would do well to take advantage of the bird’s eye perspective – looking up from where they stand at ground level will give them the best possible view of this stunning scene.

Photographing Caernarfon Castle

As we discussed, a birds eye view of the castle can provide an accurate understanding of its structure and layout. From this perspective, it is possible to gain insight into the strategic advantages that Caernarfon Castle was designed with in mind. Photographing the castle from this angle gives us further opportunity to appreciate how impressive a feat of engineering it truly is.

When looking at Caernarfon Castle through photographs, there are several aspects to consider. The landscape surrounding the castle should be taken into account; as such features can make for interesting frames or points of interest when taking pictures of the fortification itself.

Additionally, considering the angles and perspectives used while photographing can help to bring out more details in regards to shape and form which may not have been visible otherwise. With these considerations in mind, one could explore other ways of capturing the magnificence that this medieval fortress has to offer – making way for exploring the castle grounds further.

Exploring The Castle Grounds

Exploring the Castle Grounds gives visitors an in-depth look at Caernarfon Castle’s history and architecture. From its impressive walls to the intricate details of the towers, there is much to take in from a bird’s eye view:

Walls:

Thick stone masonry protects the castle grounds from all sides.

The Eagle Tower is one of eight advanced guard towers surrounding the perimeter.
A moat surrounds two thirds of the castle, adding another layer of protection.

Towers:

The King’s Gate tower stands tall near the entrance.
Inside, the Queen’s Tower boasts beautiful stained glass windows and detailed carvings on its exterior walls.
Visitors can follow winding staircases up to turrets with views over Wales’ stunning landscape.

The experience provides an intriguing insight into bygone times while immersing guests in rich Welsh culture today – leaving them feeling as though they’ve been transported back in time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Castle Open To The Public?

Yes, the castle is open to the public.

Visitors can take in its beauty from a birds-eye view or explore inside and out on foot.

The fortress was built by Edward I between 1283 and 1292 as part of his conquest of Wales and remains one of Britain’s best preserved castles today.

How Much Does It Cost To Enter The Castle?

Visiting Caernarfon Castle can be a great experience, but many people are curious to know how much it costs.

Entrance fees vary depending on the type of ticket purchased and whether visitors are adults or children. Adults will pay £6 while children between 5-15 years old cost £3.50 each. Those under five years have free entry, making it an affordable family day out!

What Are The Opening And Closing Times?

Visiting Caernarfon Castle is a great way to explore the history and architecture of Wales. But before you make your trip, it’s important to know the opening and closing times so that you don’t miss out!

The castle opens at 9am every day except on Tuesday when it opens at 11am.

It closes at 5pm in winter months, while in summer months it stays open until 6pm or 7pm depending on the time of year.

So be sure to plan accordingly if you’re looking to visit this iconic landmark!

Are There Guided Tours Available?

Guided tours of Caernarfon Castle are available for visitors looking to learn more about the history and culture of this iconic landmark.

The tour includes a walk around the castle grounds with an experienced guide, providing insight into its past as well as panoramic views from the battlements.

Visitors can also explore at their own pace with audio guides that provide interesting facts and stories about the castle’s rich heritage.

Are There Restaurants And Cafes Within The Castle Grounds?

Visiting Caernarfon Castle is an unforgettable experience, and it’s made even more enjoyable by the availability of restaurants and cafes within the castle grounds.

For those looking to take a break from exploring this historic site, there are plenty of places where they can relax while taking in stunning views of the surrounding area.

One such spot is The Queen’s Tower Café which offers delicious Welsh food with a modern twist. From freshly prepared sandwiches and soups to homemade cakes and scones, visitors won’t be disappointed in their selection!

Not only that but the café also has outdoor seating allowing guests to enjoy some fresh air as they soak up incredible bird’s-eye views of Caernarfon Castle.

Conclusion

I’ve enjoyed learning about Caernarfon Castle and its birds eye view. It’s a magnificent site, and it’s open to the public for free! The opening hours are from 10am to 6pm every day – so if you’re looking for something different to do in North Wales, this is definitely one place worth visiting.

Guided tours of the castle grounds are available too, along with restaurants and cafes within the walls.

One interesting statistic I found is that during World War II, over 400 people were housed inside the castle walls – an incredible feat indeed!

So why not take a trip down to Caernarfon Castle? You won’t be disappointed.

Caernarfon Castle Birds Eye View