One of the most colorful medieval castles is located in the UK. An example of military architecture is considered the best defensive structure in Europe, reached the descendants in good condition. An impregnable fortress, called the “beautiful swamp”, attracts tourists from all over the world who want to touch the history of England.
Building to strengthen power in Wales
Located on Anglesey Island, Bomaris Castle seems to lock the entrance to the Menai Strait. In 1295, on the site of a small Viking settlement, on the orders of King Edward I, the construction of powerful fortifications began to strengthen power in Wales. More than 2500 thousand workers took part in the construction of the magnificent structure.
However, three years later, the war in Scotland began, and due to a shortage of funds in the treasury, a grandiose construction site was frozen.
Expensive construction
In 1306, construction was resumed, but not on the same scale as before. Many grandiose plans were not destined to come true. For example, the rooms in the northern part of the castle are not fully completed, as are the rooms on the second floor. According to the project, there were luxurious royal chambers for the monarch's family.
The construction of impregnable serf ensembles was an extremely expensive pleasure in those days, since a large amount of labor and building materials was expended. According to the researchers, more than 20 million euros were spent on Bomaris Castle, which received royal status, (translated into our money). Only the Normans and English settled in the fortress and its environs, and residents of Welsh descent lost such rights.
Symmetric Citadel
The architectural design was surprising in its symmetry. Everything was subordinated to the fact that the enemy could not take the Bomaris castle in Wales with an attack: two rings of powerful walls, a moat filled with water, loopholes, ingenious obstacles for an enemy accidentally making his way into the fortress. According to experts, the citadel built on swamps is recognized as the most difficult to overcome fortress among similar structures.
There were about fourteen traps for enemy scouts, and only after passing them all, you could get into the fortress. Unfortunately, after the death of the king, no one was engaged in the construction of a stone ensemble. Several decades later, unsuccessful attempts were made to complete the construction of Bomaris.
The castle, striking in its power, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Unusual structure of a historical monument
The original attraction of the project had a concentric structure. Outside, Beaumaris Castle is surrounded by a huge five-meter ditch, behind which there are external powerful walls. Inside, the historical complex with living rooms and a small chapel is protected on all sides by a ring of fortifications, and in the center there is a small courtyard, where there were stables, rooms for servants, a kitchen and warehouses.
If you look at Bomaris Castle from above, you will notice the symmetry of the objects located in it, which increased the invulnerability of the defensive structure.
From the south side to the fortress walls adjoins the station, built for ships and guarded by gates that rose at the right time. The fact is that the moat was previously connected to the sea and was filled with water during the tides, thanks to which multi-ton ships with provisions could come close to the walls of the castle and unload unhindered inside it.
Castle feature
The main feature of the complex is the lack of a dungeon - the obligatory main tower, which was erected in a place inaccessible to the enemy. Instead, 16 small towers appeared along the outer wall, and six powerful structures were built inside the castle that protected the entrances during the storming of the enemy and increased the defenses of an impregnable fortress.
Symbol of medieval England
The stone complex, which escaped the attacks of the enemy, appears before the descendants in its original form. Without exaggeration, the ancient castle of Bomaris can be called a symbol of medieval England, and specialists in the field of military construction admire the ingenious engineering idea of the architect who designed the citadel in the swamps.
Tourists are happy to visit a local attraction located in the county of Anglesey. During a fascinating tour, you can go down into gloomy dungeons, climb spiral staircases covered with moss, and go around the fortress walls. From above, a magnificent view of the architectural complex and picturesque surroundings opens.
A popular tourist destination has a special aura that immerses the guests of England in the Middle Ages. Bomaris Castle, whose photo conveys the power and grandeur of the citadel, is of interest not only to fans of history, but also to anyone who wants to get acquainted with a masterpiece of military architecture.