Welsh Castles - 51° 44' 10" N, 04° 18' 08" W

And that's a lots of castles.  To give you an idea just how little Wales is, 
Victoria is 11 times and Alberta is 32 times its size!

Wales is the land of castles.  It is said that there are over 600 castles in this tiny land.  Why there are so many is likely a combination of conflict and geography - from the Norman Invasion in the 11th century to all the shenanigans against the English that went on for 300 years or so to the squabbling between the warring Welsh principalities.  Welsh geography is such that a castle could be built at a strategic location to defend a mountain or valley, while being supplied from the sea, making it less likely that an enemy could lay siege on your castle. Add to this the technology of the time that made castles a fine defence tool so they popped up everywhere being built of earth and wood and with the fancier ones built from stone. 

We saw one or two in our travels - and these are only the ones we managed to photograph! 

Kidwelly Castle (Castell Cydweli), Carmarthenshire

Carew Castle - Gord, we knew you'd appreciate the trebuchet!!

Carew Castle (Castell Caeriw), Pembrokeshire

Manorbier Castle  (Castell Maenorbŷr), Pembrokeshire

Pembroke Castle (Castell Penfro), Pembrokeshire

Pembroke Castle (from the inside)

Haverfordwest Castle (Castell Hwlffordd), Pembrokeshire

Brecon Castle (Castell Aberhonddu), Brecknockshire

Tretower Castle (Castell Tretŵr), Crickhowell

Skenfrith Castle (Castell Ynysgynwraidd), Monmouthshire

Dale Castle, Pembrokeshire

Some of these castles were open to the public; some were managed by a trust and required an admission fee; others were on private land.  It seems it is not unique to have some stone walls, embattlements, a rampart or some turrets and/or rubble on your rural property.  The Dale Castle was mostly populated by sheep!

---

And please remember that Blogger posts your comment as anonymous if you don't have an account, so please sign off with your name so we know who you are!