Dolbadarn

Dolbadarn refers to a medieval fortress ruin located on a rocky promontory above Llyn Padarn near the village of Llanberis in Gwynedd, Wales. The site is known for its scenic setting, with views across the lake to the surrounding Snowdonian landscapes.

Dolbadarn Castle was constructed in the early 13th century to help the rulers of Gwynedd control the surrounding area and defend key routes into the peninsula behind Snowdonia. Built on a volcanic rock outcrop, the fortress commands the approaches to the Llanberis Pass and the valley below. Over the centuries it underwent repairs and modifications as it remained a strategic strongpoint in the region.

In the 1280s, during the campaigns of Edward I as he consolidated control over Wales, Dolbadarn Castle came under English influence and was eventually damaged and slighted. After this period, the castle gradually fell into ruin, with only portions of the walls and the gatehouse surviving into later centuries.

Today, Dolbadarn is a scheduled ancient monument and a designated archaeological site. It is publicly accessible, and visitors can explore the surviving gatehouse and curtain-wall fragments while taking in panoramic views of Llyn Padarn and the surrounding Snowdonia foothills. The site serves as a historical reminder of medieval fortifications in Gwynedd and their role in the broader history of Welsh resistance and conquest.