Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle is a medieval castle and Victorian gothic revival mansion.  The castle is located in Cardiff, Wales.  The structure was originally a 3^rd century Roman fort that was built upon by Norman invaders in the 11^th century.  The castle was the heart of the medieval town of Cardiff.  In the 12^th century, the castle was rebuilt with stone and defensive walls were erected around the property.  Cardiff Castle underwent many attacks in the 12^th century due to conflicts between the Anglo-Normans and the Welsh.  Owen Glendower, the Prince of Wales, attacked the castle in 1404 during the Welsh Revolt against King Henri IV of England.  The English Parliament also took the castle by force during the English Civil War, but Royalist supporters regained it in 1645.  The structure continued to undergo renovations through the years when it passed into the hands of the Marquesses of Bute.  The castle grew into a Georgian mansion and many of the other medieval buildings on the property, along with the walls, were demolished.  The grounds were landscaped and reconstructed to include parks.  The finding of Roman remains led to the walls and a gatehouse being reconstructed into the Roman design.  The interior is considered to be an excellent example of gothic revival.  In the 20^th century, many commercial companies took interest in the lands surrounding Cardiff and the property was sold off in pieces, with some of the lands becoming nationalized, until only the castle was left.  The castle is currently owned by the city of Cardiff and it is open to the public.