Wales is famous for once having in excess of 400 castles, the most in Europe. Dolwyddelan is one of the few surviving fortresses founded by native Welsh princes rather than conquerors. It was originally built by Llywelyn the Great, ruler of Snowdonia to watch over a strategic route through his mountainous kingdom. It didn’t end well for the Welsh dynasty as the castle was captured by Edward I during his conquest of North Wales. Today only the remains of the 13th century keep and west tower remain.