historicbuilding

Beddgelert
The ancient mountain route brought medieval pilgrims to the welcoming hospitality of the Augustinian priory. Today a weave of legends surrounds the village to entertain the modern visitor
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Castell Criccieth
Rising majestically on a promontory above tyhe sometimes shimmering, other times stormy seas of Cardigan Bay, Castell Criccieth guards the southern route into the Lleyn Peninsula.

Castell Dolbadarn
In the shadow of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) the highest mountain in Wales, the remains of the thirteenth century keep built to guard Llanberis Pass still has an atmosphere that is hard to describe or define. The reflections of its sombre past still seem to exist.

Aberconwy Abbey
Hidden within the walled Ewardian town of Aberconwy are the remains of the thirteenth century Cisterian monastery, the burial place of Princes. The foundations of Llywelyn`s hall lie under a garden, off Rosemary Lane.

Aber
This small village on the edge of the Menai Straits disguises its once great and glorious past. This was one of the main courts and home of the Princes. The oral history, passed down from generation to generation, is now being proved by archaeological excavation,but it will take years of expert research to uncover all the secrets.

Bangor Cathedral
Bangor can claim to be one of the oldest churches in Britain (founded AD546) and its bishops and clergy were important figures in 13th century Gwynedd

St.Mary and St,Nicholas Church
This 14th century parish church now holds the elaborately carved sandstone coffin that once held the remains of Princess Joan.

Priordy Penmon
Located in a spectacular coastline in a peacful corner of the island this 13th century Augustinian House was granted land and privilages by the Princes.
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Oriel Ynys Mon
This modern exhibition center in Llangifni is worth a detour as it features the long history of the island and shows aspects of its culture.

Aberffraw
Aberffraw was the main court of Gwynedd in the centuries before 1170 and remained a symbol of the Princes authority. After the conquest the remaining buildings were left to decay and fade into memory. The "Llys Llywelyn" center tells the story.

Llanfaes
In the 13th century Llanfaes was the commercial center of Gwynedd. There was a thriving market town, a bustling port and a Franciscan Priory, the burial place of Princess Joan and princess Eleanor. Now little remains except the views.

Deganwy
The atmospheric twin hills overlooking the wide estuary of the river Conwy and Eryri played an important part in the early history of north Wales. The shell and rubble of two castles, one Welsh and one English, are all that now remain of this important strategic site.

Capel Gwydir,Llanrwst
Capel Gwydir, at the side of the parish church of St.Grwst is the resting place of the stone coffin of Prince Llywelyn Fawr.

Caerhun
Known as Canovium, a Roman fort which guarded the crossing at the lowest fording place on the River Conwy. This was the start of the road from Chester westward through the hills to Aber and beyond.

Trefriw
Nestling in the timeless tranquil landscape of Nant Conwy, Trefriw was an important court of the Princes.

Betws y Coed
The "old church" contains an effigy of a fourteen century direct descendent of Prince Dafydd ap Gruffydd. The spectacular Swallow Falls fout miles west of Betws y Coed feature prominently in some of the historical fiction.

Cymer Abbey (Abaty Cymer)
Founded in 1198 by Cistercian monks from Abaty Cwm Hir in mid Wales, Abaty Cymer recieved grants from Llywelyn Fawr. One of the best salmon pools in Gwynedd can still be seen near the bridge near the Abbey.

Castell Dolwyddelan
This well preserved keep, standing on a knoll deep in rugged countryside, gives a feel of life in the middle ages. The castle built by Prince Llywelyn Fawr close to his traditional birthplace controlled the route from Conwy and Lledr valleys to the Ffestiniog Valley.

Castell y Bere
Standing on an isolated rock outcrop on the slopes of Cader Idris, Castell y Bere`s remoteness is an integral part of its beauty. Believed to have been built by Llywelyn Fawr after 1221, the castle controlled southern Merionnydd and the roadway through the mountains to Dolgellau. During the early part of 1283, it was one of the last refuges of Prince Dafydd ap Gruffydd, and therefore one of the last centers of organised resistance to the invading English.

Clynnog Fawr
To the south of Caernarfon, on the old routeway trampled over the centuries by the countless feet of pilgrims, Clynnog Fawr nestles between the mountains and the sea. Clynnog was not only itself a place of pilgrimage, but chief gathering place for the pilgrims travelling to the holy island of Enlli (Bardsey). Clynnog, like Penmon was originally the site of a seventh century Celtic Monastery that, by the thirteenth century, had become Augustinian.
Above the church rise the peaks of the rivals pointing the way to the Llyn Peninsula. Not far beyond lies the Bryn Derwin where Llywelyn ap Gruffyd defeated his brothers, Owain and Dafydd, in battle and become sole ruler of Gwynedd.

Clynnog Fawr
The church at Clynnog Fawr is breathtaking and steeped in atmosphere. Lying on the northern coast of the Llyn Peninsula its unexpectedly large size reflects its past importance