4 Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites

UNESCO Stands for The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. UNESCO strives to recognise and encourage the preservation of natural and cultural heritage that is considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

There are multiple sites across Wales that have UNESCO World Heritage Status, including the slate landscape of North East Wales, Pontcysyllte aqueduct & canal, and the industrial landscape of Blaenavon. But we are going to focus on the Castles of Wales that have UNESCO World Heritage Status…

Welsh Castles with UNESCO World Heritage Status

Each of these castles were built by renowned medieval mason and engineer, James of St George, for King Edward 1st of England. And each of these castles were given UNESCO World Heritage Status because they are deemed as being the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe, this is demonstrated through their completeness, pristine state, evidence for organized domestic space, and extraordinary repertory of their medieval architectural form.

1. Beaumaris Castle

Beaumaris castle was built in 1295 by Edward the First of England, this castle is widely respected for its architectural symmetry and it’s unique design. Although never finished, it was the last castle of Edward I’s Ring of Iron and despite being short due to this premature ending, it is none the less impressive.

Harlech Castle Photo by Huw Edwards

2. Harlech Castle

Harlech Castle was again built by Edward the First and again, this castle was another component in his strategic Ring of Iron. The positioning of this castle upon the craggy rocks on a cliff sea top makes perfect use of the natural resources and defences available to the architect at the time. It is one of the most visually impressive and recognisable castles in Wales.

3. Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle was built in the late 1283 and is renowned for its formidable architecture and historical significance. It has long stood as a symbol of English dominance over Wales, since the 25th of April 1284, when Queen Eleanor gave birth to a son; Edward of Caernarfon. In 1301 this son was presented to the Welsh nobility as a prince ‘that was borne in Wales and could speak never a word of English’.

4. Conwy Castle

Complete in 1287, Conwy Castle and town walls were the 8th castle that made up the Ring of Iron. You can walk along the top of the town walls today and enjoy looking at the most intact royal apartments, where Edward the first is known to have stayed only once! From December 1294 to January 1295 while attempting to deal with the rebellion of Madog ap Llewelyn, Edward was forced to spend Christmas there when he was cut off by floods.