Caerphilly Castle

#23 & #100 Caerphilly Castle
Mid-Glamorgan, Wales
1268-1326
This is NOT an official Lego site

Caerphilly was the first concentric castle to be built from scratch in Britain and, despite sieges and neglect, remains one of the most specacular military ruins in the world. She was begun in 1268 by wealthy Marcher Lord Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hereford, to counter the rebellious activity of Llywelyn, Prince of Wales. Llywelyn attacked and 'burnt' the infant castle in 1270, but construction continued and when Llywelyn besieged Caerphilly just a year later, he was defeated. The two outer gatehouses were completed in 1277, with construction of the hornwork, lake and some buildings continuing until at least 1326.

In 1326 Edward II was on the run from his estranged wife Isabella and her paramour Roger Mortimer and took refuge in Caerphilly. By the time Isabella's siege resulted in the castle's surrender, the king had long since fled, leaving half his treasure and clothes behind.

Photos of the Lego Model Under construction beginning January 2005

Construction began January 8. This is the layout from the southeast, with the Dam Platform & Main Outer Gatehouse in the foreground.	On January 17 the Dam Platform and Main Outer Gatehouse are complete. Note the Sluice outlet on right center.	On January 30 the island upon which the inner is seated is complete.	Here is some detail of the hoardings on the north curtain wall under construction.

Photos of the completed Lego Model Built January - February, 2005 The photographs are arranged from east to west. My Centennial Castle has happily turned out to be my biggest as well, not only in regards to size, but also by number of Lego pieces required: Caerphilly was built from 31,950 blocks, larger than Chillon on Lake Geneva, Switzerland by more than 1,250 bricks! I needed 23,495 light gray Lego pieces, including 449 3x3x6 castle wall corners, and 8,455 Lego of other colors for the infrastructure, grass, etc. including 850 blue bricks and plates for the lakes.

This is a general view of Caerphilly from the eastsoutheast. I built the castle to fit my table...	with both extensions in place! From the eastnortheast prospective, the castle is awesome.	Here is the Dam Platform - much wider than I could replicate [see plan].


The central entrance to the castle complex from the east is the Outer Main Gatehouse	The view from the Dam Platform side reiterates the complexities tof the Tower.	To the south is the Guard Tower, overshadowing the grist mill.	Another view of the mill emphasizes the physical structure with outlet to the outer lake


The huge upper lake complex is also drained via a sluice.	The main castle is entered from the east via another bridge and drawbridge.	This is the first bridge- drawbridge complex I've built on an upward slant.


On the left side of the island is the Kitchen Annex and the South Tower complex.	Beyond the Outer East Gatehouse is the massive Inner East Gatehouse and its flanking towers!	The inner view of these towers details their beauty as well as, potency. Note the murder slots above each door.	The very complex turret at the back of each corner tower is a reminder of the creativity of this castle!


And from the military to the opulent: the fabulous vestings of 13th and 14th century Wales.	Over the Buttery and Pantry is a pristine Chapel for the devout..	The windows are medieval stained glass - all the more impressive.	The Great Hall with quarters to the right are so beautiful they were thought to be a cathedral!


The Inner West Gatehouse is notably smaller than its eastern counterpart.	Hoardings on the curtain wall guard the postern in the north- west corner of the courtyard.	Its my first attempt to build hoardings and I think they look quite functional.


The postern stair in the Transverse Block leads directly from the Great Hall.	The Inner West Gatehouse is windowless on the exterior. The corner towers are identical to those on the east end.	The bridge from the huge Western Island into the Outer West Gate- house is thought to have been the original entrance to Caerphilly.

Photos of the Lego Model Built November 1988

North View	Northeast View	South Southeast View

Build Your Own

Lego Plan for the 1988 model	Lego Plan for the 2005 model	Elevation of the Outer Main Gatehouse and Dams


Elevation of the East Gatehouses	Elevation of the West Gatehouses

N-S Cross-section through the castle	Elevation of the Chapel, Great Hall and Apartments


Plan for the East Gatehouses	Plan for the South and SE Towers & the Kitchen	Plan for the West Gatehouses


General Plan	Castle Plan