| Cardiff Castle is one of Wales's leading tourist attractions.
Situated in the very heart of the capital, alongside city
centre shopping and the magnificent Bute Park, the Castle's
enchanting fairytale towers conceal an elaborate and splendid
interior.
Contained within its mighty walls is a history spanning
nearly 2,000 years, dating from the coming of the Romans
in the first century AD. After the Norman Conquest,
the Castle's Keep was built and a number of Medieval
fortifications and dwellings followed.
Cardiff Castle Interpretation Centre Archaeological
Dig
The Castle fell into the possession of many noble families,
until, in 1766, it passed by marriage to the Bute family.
The 2nd Marquess of Bute was responsible for turning
Cardiff into the world's greatest coal exporting port.
The Castle and the Bute fortune passed to his son John,
the 3rd Marquess, who by the 1860's was reputed to be
the richest man in the world
From 1866 the 3rd Marquess employed the genius architect
William Burges to transform the Castle lodgings. Within
gothic towers he created lavish and opulent interiors,
rich with murals, stained glass, marble, gilding and
elaborate wood carvings. Each breathtaking room has
its own special theme, including Mediterranean gardens
and Italian and Arabian decoration.
As well as visiting the spectacular interiors, visitors
can enjoy the Castle grounds, where peacocks, ducks
and geese wander freely, and enjoy a break in the Castle
Tea Rooms which offers a warm welcome for coffees, light
lunches and afternoon tea.
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