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Description
Photography by John Ball - 14 March 1998 (with Agfa ePhoto307 digital camera)
The early 12th century Llansteffan Castle is built on the hilltop site of an Iron-Age fort, overlooking the estuary of Afon Tywi.
Image 1:
Approaching the main castle entrance.
Image 2:
The castle's massive original gateway was walled up in the 15th century, but above it is the chute (centre) down which boiling water could be poured to drive off attackers.
Image 3:
The gateway was also defended by two portcullises. Here we can see the slot (now protected by an iron grill) which accommodated the portcullis when in its raised position.
Another means of defence was the provision of "murder holes" through which all manner of unpleasant objects could be dropped on any potential intruders beneath! Three square murder holes can be seen in the roof of this passageway (Image 4). To the right (Image 5) is an arrowslit through which bowmen could fire their arrows down onto the invaders below.
Image 6:
An example of one of the ornately decorated fireplaces in the lord's Great Hall. The mantleshelf has not survived. This fireplace was on an upper level, the floor of which has long since gone.
Image 7:
Looking out across Carmarthen Bay. The building in the middle distance is the castle's Inner Gate.
Image 8:
The castle overlooks the village of Llansteffan on the western shore of the estuary of Afon Tywi.
For a detailed description and history of Llansteffan Castle, visit Jeff Thomas's excellent Castles of Wales website.
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