Cardiff Castle: These were taken in August, 2023, on a tour through the UK and Ireland. I didn't expect to enjoy touring the castle as much as I did. The original castle was built in...

Tommy 86 Loc: East TN

These were taken in August, 2023, on a tour through the UK and Ireland. I didn't expect to enjoy touring the castle as much as I did.

The original castle was built in the late 11th century by the Normans on top of a Roman fort from the 3rd century. It was rebuilt with stone in the 12th century and further work conducted in the second half of the 13th century. It was repeatedly involved in conflicts between the Anglo-Normans and the Welsh in the 12th century and stormed early in the 15th century. Further work on the castle was done later in the 15th century. During the English Civil War, the castle was initially taken by a Parliamentary (fighting against Charles I) then retaken by the Royalist (fighting in favor of Charles I) in 1645. The castle passed into the hands of the Stuart dynasty, Marquesses of Bute. Extensive renovations were conducted, demolishing many of the older medieval buildings and walls. In the latter half of the 19th century, the 3rd Marquess of Bute, who was widely considered the richest man in the world, remodeled the castle in a Gothic revival style with large amounts of money that transformed the interior designs such that they were considered to be amongst "the most magnificent that the gothic revival ever achieved." In addition, the castle grounds were relandscaped and the walls and gatehouse reconstructed in a Roman style. One of the interesting aspects of the walls is the Animal Wall. It depicts 15 animal carvings at the west entrance of the castle. I was able to get pictures of three of them, shown below. There were originally 9 animal carvings (I didn't get pictures of the hyena, wolf, the pair of baboons, a seal and the pair of lions) done in the late 1880s. In 1931, when the wall was moved due to road widening, an additonal 6 more animals were added (I didn't get pictures of the pelican, the anteater, a pair of raccoons, a leopard, a beaver and a vulture.) By the time of WW2, little was left of the Bute lands commercial interests, having been sold off or nationalized. During WW2, extensive air raid shelters that could hld up to 1,800 people were built into the castle walls. After the death of the 4th Marquess in 1947, the castle was given to the City of Cardiff.

The interior of the castle was amazing. I hope to post a few more pictures of this beautiful castle in the next few days.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Beautiful tour, Tommy.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

WOW!! Nice photos of that gorgeous castle!!

Talk about photo op overload!!! I could spend days taking photos.

Dodie

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Great tour. Interesting place.

William Loc: Mississippi

Tommy 86 wrote:

These were taken in August, 2023, on a tour through the UK and Ireland. I didn't expect to enjoy touring the castle as much as I did.

The original castle was built in the late 11th century by the Normans on top of a Roman fort from the 3rd century. It was rebuilt with stone in the 12th century and further work conducted in the second half of the 13th century. It was repeatedly involved in conflicts between the Anglo-Normans and the Welsh in the 12th century and stormed early in the 15th century. Further work on the castle was done later in the 15th century. During the English Civil War, the castle was initially taken by a Parliamentary (fighting against Charles I) then retaken by the Royalist (fighting in favor of Charles I) in 1645. The castle passed into the hands of the Stuart dynasty, Marquesses of Bute. Extensive renovations were conducted, demolishing many of the older medieval buildings and walls. In the latter half of the 19th century, the 3rd Marquess of Bute, who was widely considered the richest man in the world, remodeled the castle in a Gothic revival style with large amounts of money that transformed the interior designs such that they were considered to be amongst "the most magnificent that the gothic revival ever achieved." In addition, the castle grounds were relandscaped and the walls and gatehouse reconstructed in a Roman style. One of the interesting aspects of the walls is the Animal Wall. It depicts 15 animal carvings at the west entrance of the castle. I was able to get pictures of three of them, shown below. There were originally 9 animal carvings (I didn't get pictures of the hyena, wolf, the pair of baboons, a seal and the pair of lions) done in the late 1880s. In 1931, when the wall was moved due to road widening, an additonal 6 more animals were added (I didn't get pictures of the pelican, the anteater, a pair of raccoons, a leopard, a beaver and a vulture.) By the time of WW2, little was left of the Bute lands commercial interests, having been sold off or nationalized. During WW2, extensive air raid shelters that could hld up to 1,800 people were built into the castle walls. After the death of the 4th Marquess in 1947, the castle was given to the City of Cardiff.

The interior of the castle was amazing. I hope to post a few more pictures of this beautiful castle in the next few days.

These were taken in August, 2023, on a tour throug... (show quote)

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William Loc: Mississippi

that's UHH

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Tommy 86 wrote:

These were taken in August, 2023, on a tour through the UK and Ireland. I didn't expect to enjoy touring the castle as much as I did.

The original castle was built in the late 11th century by the Normans on top of a Roman fort from the 3rd century. It was rebuilt with stone in the 12th century and further work conducted in the second half of the 13th century. It was repeatedly involved in conflicts between the Anglo-Normans and the Welsh in the 12th century and stormed early in the 15th century. Further work on the castle was done later in the 15th century. During the English Civil War, the castle was initially taken by a Parliamentary (fighting against Charles I) then retaken by the Royalist (fighting in favor of Charles I) in 1645. The castle passed into the hands of the Stuart dynasty, Marquesses of Bute. Extensive renovations were conducted, demolishing many of the older medieval buildings and walls. In the latter half of the 19th century, the 3rd Marquess of Bute, who was widely considered the richest man in the world, remodeled the castle in a Gothic revival style with large amounts of money that transformed the interior designs such that they were considered to be amongst "the most magnificent that the gothic revival ever achieved." In addition, the castle grounds were relandscaped and the walls and gatehouse reconstructed in a Roman style. One of the interesting aspects of the walls is the Animal Wall. It depicts 15 animal carvings at the west entrance of the castle. I was able to get pictures of three of them, shown below. There were originally 9 animal carvings (I didn't get pictures of the hyena, wolf, the pair of baboons, a seal and the pair of lions) done in the late 1880s. In 1931, when the wall was moved due to road widening, an additonal 6 more animals were added (I didn't get pictures of the pelican, the anteater, a pair of raccoons, a leopard, a beaver and a vulture.) By the time of WW2, little was left of the Bute lands commercial interests, having been sold off or nationalized. During WW2, extensive air raid shelters that could hld up to 1,800 people were built into the castle walls. After the death of the 4th Marquess in 1947, the castle was given to the City of Cardiff.

The interior of the castle was amazing. I hope to post a few more pictures of this beautiful castle in the next few days.

These were taken in August, 2023, on a tour throug... (show quote)

Fantastic set!!! Tommy

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

When I was in the Arabian Room (image 7) I got the opportunity to lay on my back dead centre and shoot straight up. Makes for an interesting image, especially if you get it on a not too bright day so it minimises the shadows.

Also like the Keep on the mound (image 6). It was cultivated when we went there, but that looks a lot more 'natural'.

Thanks for the memories.

William Loc: Mississippi

Tommy 86 wrote:

These were taken in August, 2023, on a tour through the UK and Ireland. I didn't expect to enjoy touring the castle as much as I did.

The original castle was built in the late 11th century by the Normans on top of a Roman fort from the 3rd century. It was rebuilt with stone in the 12th century and further work conducted in the second half of the 13th century. It was repeatedly involved in conflicts between the Anglo-Normans and the Welsh in the 12th century and stormed early in the 15th century. Further work on the castle was done later in the 15th century. During the English Civil War, the castle was initially taken by a Parliamentary (fighting against Charles I) then retaken by the Royalist (fighting in favor of Charles I) in 1645. The castle passed into the hands of the Stuart dynasty, Marquesses of Bute. Extensive renovations were conducted, demolishing many of the older medieval buildings and walls. In the latter half of the 19th century, the 3rd Marquess of Bute, who was widely considered the richest man in the world, remodeled the castle in a Gothic revival style with large amounts of money that transformed the interior designs such that they were considered to be amongst "the most magnificent that the gothic revival ever achieved." In addition, the castle grounds were relandscaped and the walls and gatehouse reconstructed in a Roman style. One of the interesting aspects of the walls is the Animal Wall. It depicts 15 animal carvings at the west entrance of the castle. I was able to get pictures of three of them, shown below. There were originally 9 animal carvings (I didn't get pictures of the hyena, wolf, the pair of baboons, a seal and the pair of lions) done in the late 1880s. In 1931, when the wall was moved due to road widening, an additonal 6 more animals were added (I didn't get pictures of the pelican, the anteater, a pair of raccoons, a leopard, a beaver and a vulture.) By the time of WW2, little was left of the Bute lands commercial interests, having been sold off or nationalized. During WW2, extensive air raid shelters that could hld up to 1,800 people were built into the castle walls. After the death of the 4th Marquess in 1947, the castle was given to the City of Cardiff.

The interior of the castle was amazing. I hope to post a few more pictures of this beautiful castle in the next few days.

These were taken in August, 2023, on a tour throug... (show quote)

your work holds great merit and effort@

Tommy 86 Loc: East TN

Thanks, Mike. My apologies to all for the missing descriptions of each photo. My first post - rookie mistake.

They were:
The Clock Tower
Clock Tower detail
The Lioness
The Lynx
The Bear
The Keep
Ceiling of the Arab Room (impressive memory, John N!)
Mural in Banqeting Room (seige of Wilton Abbey by Robert of Glouster)
Mural in Banqueting Room
Castle from inner courtyard

Tommy 86 Loc: East TN

Thank you, Dodie. I appreciate it.

Tommy 86 Loc: East TN

Thank you, NMGal. Glad you enjoyed it.

Tommy 86 Loc: East TN

Thanks so much, Manglesphoto. Would have been a bit better with the descriptions.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Nice write-up & photos.

Tommy 86 Loc: East TN

Thank you, John. The Arab Room is pretty amazing. Glad it brought back some memories for you.