We’re now in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The train trip was pleasant and not long, and our hotel is very comfy.
That’s Cardiff Castle, a remarkable edifice right in the center of the city. Originally a Roman fort, it’s been owned and reworked by many rulers these past 2000 years. We explored the grounds, including the keep and 19th century manor house.
That’s the interior of the keep, which as you can see is open to the air but once held a series of wooden buildings. The (very steep!) stairs on the right lead up to the top of the keep tower.
The entire castle complex is surround by massive stone walls that were built on top of the remaining Roman ruins during the early years of the 20th century. These walls are hollow with tunnels underneath which were used as air raid shelters during WW2. The exhibit of wartime life in this tunnels was particularly moving.
The castle was owned by the super-wealthy Bute family for many years and Lord Bute had this spectacular Gothic mansion built within the walls. One again we walked through exquisitely decorated and rooms that boggled the mind with their grandiosity.
Almost every square inch of the house was decorated with carvings or paintings or tapestry. It took decades to complete, and no expense seems to have been spared (one room has a ceiling coated with real gold!) and it’s all so fantastic and surreal that I absolutely loved it!
The architect that designed the house also designed a wall outside the castle now known as the ‘animal wall’. It’s a series of a dozen or so carved animals creating a stone wall and oozes charm right on a Cardiff Main Street.
Between Cardiff Castle today and the Roman Baths yesterday we’ve been spoiled by first-class attractions. Who knows what else we’ve got waiting for us?
