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Castles and Historic Buildings of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland

 Castles of Wales - Llansteffan Castle






Map by mapchart.net - Some rights reserved.


Location
near Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire, Wales

Description
Llansteffan Castle is situated on the River Tywi at Carmarthen Bay near Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire, Wales. The castle is in ruins. It is surrounded by a curtain wall with an impressive twin towered Great Gatehouse, and two three-storey towers - the ruined West Tower and the almost intact North Tower. Inside the wall is an upper courtyard and larger lower courtyard. In 1959, the neglected castle was placed in State care and is now maintained by Cadw, and is open to the public.

History
Llansteffan Castle was built by the Normans after 1100 when they invaded Wales. The castle changed hands a few times - it was captured by Rhys ap Gruffydd in 1146, retaken by the Normans, and recaptured by the Welsh in 1215 by Llywelyn the Great. The English took over the castle in the 14th century. It fell into disrepair in the 1500s and was abandoned.


Other Castles in the Area
  Dinefwr Castle, Carmarthenshire
  Dryslwyn Castle, Carmarthenshire
  Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire
  Laugharne Castle, Pembrokeshire
  Oxwich Castle, Swansea
  Oystermouth Castle, Swansea
  Pennard Castle, Swansea
  Penrice Castle, Swansea
  Weobley Castle, Swansea







Weobley Castle
Llansteffan Castle

Photograph by Jo Turner. Some rights reserved.  (view image details)

Weobley Castle
Llansteffan Castle

Photograph by Jo Turner. Some rights reserved.  (view image details)

Weobley Castle
The Upper Ward of Llansteffan Castle. The Towy estuary can be seen in the background.

Photograph by Philip Halling. Some rights reserved.  (view image details)

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