Deganwy Castle in Conwy is an evocative hillside site which has accommodated epic battles through the ages. Destroyed by a Saxon army in 822 AD, it witnessed treachery, invasion and slaughter during Anglo-Welsh hostilities in the Medieval period.
Strata Florida comprises the ruins of a Cistercian Abbey in Powys, tamed by monks after Stone Age hunters had roamed the grounds. The remains of Roman mines can still be seen in the area, and it became a key part of the Welsh agricultural industry after the monastery was obliterated on the orders of Henry VIII during his dispute with the Roman Catholic hierarchy in the 16th century.
The imposing Nevern Castle, a 13th century fort with an imperious view of Pembrokeshire, and Abergwyngregyn, on the north coast of Gwynedd, will also benefit from maintenance and preservation work.
Negotiations with other key locations are ongoing, as part of a year Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones promised would “celebrate the rich diversity of Wales’s historic environment.”
“I’m delighted to be able to announce this funding today, which will make a significant contribution in making some of our iconic sites more accessible to the Welsh public,” he said. “I’m confident people will feel a stronger connection with Wales and our story when visiting these sites. They play a crucial role in giving us a sense of place and purpose.”
“Our history will not always be a comfortable story – we have to remember our castles weren’t planned and built as tourism attractions – but they have a real story behind them which we should all be familiar with and proud of."
