Conwy Castle is a stunning Edwardian stone enclosure fortress, founded by King Edward I in 1283. Long and narrow, the castle is tailored to fit the rock and is one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe. The mighty curtain wall is flanked by eight massive round towers, two at each end to guard the gateways and barbicans. The two wards inside are unequally divided by a cross-wall, ditch and small barbican, to make a small quadrangle of royal apartments. The circuit of town wall is contemporary with the castle and can be walked. A mile north is Deganwy Castle and 12 miles south is Gwydir Castle.