Cardiff Castle, Wales

10/28/22

It all started in the 1st century AD by the Romans who built the first in a series of forts. In the 11th century, the Normans constructed the Keep that still dominates Castle Green to this day. The medieval Lords of Glamorgan began work on the House during the 15th century.

The Bute family left their mark on the entire city in the 19th century, they also transformed the House into the opulent Victorian Gothic home it is today. During World War II the walls which surround the Castle were used as air raid shelters; a place of safety for thousands of Cardiff citizens. A reconstruction of the shelters has been opened for visitors to explore. (Website of Cardiff Castle)

After touring the Castle and the Keep, we had fun shopping in a gift shop that had traditional handmade wooden spoons. We bought one as a souvenir!

“The Welsh love spoon is precisely what it sounds like—a spoon elaborately adorned and presented to a romantic partner (or hopeful partner).

The earliest known example of a Welsh love spoon dates to 1667 and is currently housed in the collection of the Welsh Folk museum in Cardiff. In the early days, love spoons were commonly a type of soup spoon and were functional. However, this aspect of the tradition appears to have faded quickly when the spoons became more decorative. Welsh love spoons likely maintain a longer lifespan by keeping them as a decoration that is hung on a wall than used to serve food as well.” Source