The stone keep of Castell Dolbadarn

Perched at the foot of the Llanberis Pass, this Welsh castle overlooks the lake of Llyn Padarn. Its story weaves a tale of politics and power - of kings, princes, and nobles. Constructed in the 1220s or 1230s by Llywelyn the Great, the castle began with initial stone fortifications and two square stone towers. It served as a strategic military and political base for Llywelyn's influence over much of Wales, eventually becoming the seat of government for the district of Is Gwyrfai after the 1240s.

During the reign of Edward I, the castle was occupied by Norman forces in 1283 and taken by Edward I in 1284. Within two years, timber from the castle was used by the Normans for the construction of Caernarfon Castle, a move intended to demonstrate Norman power over one of the most important possessions of the Welsh princes. Fast forward to the 18th and 19th centuries, the castle became a favored canvas for painters seeking the Sublime and Picturesque landscapes.

Today, the castle is under the ownership of Cadw and is safeguarded as a Grade I listed building. Its towering stone keep, 46 feet (14 m) high, remains an enduring testament to the power struggles of medieval Wales. The keep is modelled on early 13th-century English round towers and is considered by historian Richard Avent to be the finest surviving example of a Welsh round tower.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons