Dolbadarn Castle

Standing proudly above the shores of Llyn Padarn near Llanberis, Dolbadarn Castle is one of the most important castles built by the native Welsh princes. Constructed in the early 13th century by Llywelyn the Great, the fortress guarded the strategic Llanberis Pass and symbolised the growing power of the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Surrounded by the spectacular landscapes of Eryri (Snowdonia), it remains one of Wales’s most picturesque medieval ruins. The castle’s most striking feature is its massive round stone keep, regarded by historians as one of the finest surviving examples of a Welsh-built tower. Rising over 15 metres above the surrounding landscape, it dominates the site and offers a powerful reminder of the military and political ambitions of the Welsh princes. Unlike many later castles built by Edward I, Dolbadarn was designed and constructed by Welsh rulers themselves, making it a rare and significant symbol of native Welsh independence. Visitors can explore the remains of the impressive round tower, sections of the curtain walls, and the foundations of former domestic buildings and halls. Inside the tower, the surviving chambers reveal how the castle once functioned as both a defensive stronghold and a princely residence.