Cardiff Castle is a medieval castle and Victorian Gothic revival mansion located in the city center of Cardiff, Wales. The original motte and bailey castle was built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top of a 3rd-century Roman fort.
Substantial defensive walls and a Keep were built in the 12th Century.
The twelve-sided Keep is said to be the finest example in Wales. This type is known as a ‘shell’ keep because its outer walls provided a protective shell for smaller buildings within.
The Stone Keep was built by Robert Consul, Earl of Gloucester, replacing the timber defenses of Robert Fitzhamon, Norman Lord of Glamorgan. For eight years, it was the prison of Duke Robert of Normandy, the eldest son of William the Conqueror, until his death in 1134 at the age of 80.
During the 19th century, the castle was transformed into an over-the-top Victorian residence by the Bute family and architect William Burges.
The Arab Room
The Banquet Hall
The murals were executed for Burges by H. W. Lonsdale, who had worked with him at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork.
The chimneypiece was sculpted by Thomas Nicholls.
Both murals and the chimneypiece recount the exploits of Robert the Consul, 1st Earl of Gloucester and 2nd Lord of Glamorgan, the nobleman credited with building the Norman keep.
The Library
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Random shots
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