BEAUMARIS, Wales — The impressive moat and fortified gate of Beaumaris Castle stand as a testament to medieval military engineering on the Isle of Anglesey. Commissioned by King Edward I in the late 13th century as part of his campaign to subdue Wales, this unfinished masterpiece represents the pinnacle of concentric castle design. Its symmetrical layout and elaborate system of defenses, including the water-filled moat, demonstrate the strategic brilliance of Master James of St George, Edward's master builder.
Photograph by David Coleman. Beaumaris Castle, located on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales, is widely considered to be one of the most technically perfect medieval castles in Britain. Commissioned by King Edward I in 1295, it was the last and most ambitious of the castles he built to secure his conquest of Wales. Designed by Master James of St George, the king's master builder, Beaumaris represents the pinnacle of 13th-century military architecture. The castle is renowned for its perfect concentric design, consisting of an inner ring of defenses surrounded by an outer ring, all encircled by a moat. This "walls within walls" layout was considered the height of medieval defensive architecture. The moat, which is still water-filled today, provided an additional layer of defense and added to the castle's imposing appearance. Beaumaris' main gatehouse is a masterpiece of medieval military engineering. It features twin drum towers, five murder holes, and numerous arrow loops. The gate passage was protected by no fewer than seven doors, three portcullises, and a drawbridge. Despite never being fully completed due to a lack of funds and resources, the castle's defenses were formidable. Inside the walls, the castle was designed to house a substantial garrison and included a great hall, chapel, and extensive domestic buildings. However, much of the interior was never finished to the originally planned grandeur. Beaumaris Castle, along with other Edwardian castles in Wales, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, recognizing its outstanding universal value as one of the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe. Today, it stands as a magnificent reminder of medieval ambition and engineering prowess, attracting visitors from around the world to marvel at its symmetrical beauty and strategic design.
Size: 4258px × 2833px
Location: Beaumaris Castle, Beaumaris, Anglesey, United Kingdom
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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