Sunday, April 14, 2013

Once Famous, Now Ruined

On a steep ridge overlooking the River Tywi stands Castell Dinefwr, one of the royal seats of the ancient Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth.  The fabled Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd ruled Deheubarth here until his death in 1197.  However, in 1220 Llywelyn the Great refers to Dinefwr in a letter to King Henry III as the "once famous, now ruined" castle.

Still an impressive site, the castle is well worth the long hike to the top of the ridge for a visit.