[Leica] Penhryn Castle

[lrzeitlin at aol.com (lrzeitlin at aol.com)]

 Jay Burleson has posted some very nice photos of Penrhyn Castle. But 
Luggers should know that Penrhyn Castle is not really a castle in the 
classical sense. According to my historian grand daughter, a specialist in 
all things medieval, Penrhyn is new as castles go, only about 140 years old. 
It was? built by a wealthy slate mine owner to show off his riches and 
entertain the upper crust. It is basically just a big mansion. No more a 
true castle than the one in Disneyworld. The exterior is constructed of cut 
stone but with too many windows to stave off an assault. The interior shouts 
excess. The castle is packed with richly carved dark and massive furniture 
and wall decorations. The servants quarters, on the other hand, are tucked 
in remote recesses of the structure and are very austere. Conspicuous 
consumption was the mark of the gentry in those days but they certainly 
watched their pennies when it came to the lower classes. Offsetting the 
heavy handedness of the castle is its beautiful multilevel garden with 
unusual plants and some real palm trees. It was just a few miles from our 
house and we visited it often.


Larry Z