Images of Wales

Saturday, 21 March 1998

Llansteffan Castle
Carmarthenshire

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.

Above: Approaching the main castle entrance.

Above: 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.

Above: 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.

Above: 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 (left). To the right is an arrowslit through which bowmen
could fire their arrows down onto the invaders below.

Above: 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.

Above: Looking out across Carmarthen Bay. The building in the middle distance
is the castle's Inner Gate.

Above: 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.