Cardiff Castle is located in the centre of the city of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The first fortresses were built on this hill by the Romans in the first century AD. Remains of Roman masonry can still be seen at the base of the castle walls. At the end of the 11th century, after William conquered Britain, a Norman castle was built here. It consisted of an inner and outer courtyard separated by a high stone wall. The very first citadel on the hill was built by Robert Fitzhamon, Lord of of Gloucester. It was probably of timber, like most fortifications of the time.
Over its long history, the castle has changed many owners - the Earls of Gloucester, the Barons de Clare, the Despensers, the Beauchamps and the Nevilles. In 1766, as part of the dowry, the castle passed to Lord Bute, and has belonged to this family ever since. It is to the second Marquis of Bute that Cardiff owes its transformation from a humble fishing village from a humble fishing village to the world's largest coal port. The castle is inherited by his son, the third Marquess of Bute, who, according to some estimates, was the richest man in the world in 1860. In 1866, he hires the architect William Burgess to remodel the castle's living quarters. Inside the the Gothic towers, he creates lavish, opulent interiors. Frescoes, stained glass, marble, gilding and carved wood create the interior decoration of the rooms, each with its own theme. There are Mediterranean gardens, as well as halls in the Italian or Arabian style.
In 1947, the fifth Marquis of Bute gave the castle to the city of Cardiff. It is now is now a museum and the castle grounds are used for concerts and festivals. Now there is a museum here; concerts and festivals are held on the castle grounds.
The castle has become a symbol not only of the city of Cardiff, but of the whole of Wales.
