Castell Coch, Tongwynlais, South Wales Nov 20, 2023

Castell Coch, Welsh for "Red Castle", is perched on a wooded hill in Cardiff, Wales. Built on the ruins of the old fortification, the renowned architect William Burges redesigned the castle between 1875 and 1879. The castle is a symphony of opulence, featuring lavish interiors adorned with intricate carvings, vibrant stained-glass and sumptuous furnishings. Its external features and high Victorian interiors stand as an example of the brilliance of its designer. Melding together remnants of the mediaeval fortress with 19th-century innovations, its design achieves a synthesis that is hailed as a highlight of the Gothic Revival in Britain. The surrounding beech forest contributes to the fairytale-like background, and it contains geological features of limestone, sandstone and rare plant species such as the butterfly orchid, bird"s-nest orchid and dog"s mercury. These woods are recognised and protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

© Billy Stock/Alamy

palette

Today in History

Nov 20, 2024Pont de pierre, Bordeaux, France
Nov 20, 2025Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr 30, 2024Cheetah in Tanzania
Apr 6, 2025The Shard, London, England
Mar 12, 2025Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France
Nov 16, 2023Athens and the Acropolis, Greece
Jun 22, 2025Amazon rainforest, Ecuador
Oct 19, 2024Temple of Hathor, Dendera Temple Complex, Qena, Egypt
Sep 12, 2024Dolphin pod near Réunion island
Aug 15, 2025Spotted eagle rays
Jan 2, 2024Jaswant Thada and Mehrangarh Fort, India
Sep 24, 2025Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, United States
Nov 21, 2023Grey seal pup
Apr 1, 2025Tree frog, Costa Rica
Jul 6, 2025Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, United States
Dec 22, 2024Crystal Pier, San Diego, California, United States
Dec 2, 2025Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, United States
Mar 19, 2025A black heron canopy hunting in Botswana
Jul 11, 2024Gangi, Sicily, Italy
Jan 9, 2025Sossusvlei sand dunes, Namib desert, Namibia
Feb 21, 2024Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Nov 17, 2024Red deer stag
Sep 16, 2023Splügen Pass, Switzerland
Jul 11, 2025Tokyo at sunrise, Japan
Jun 24, 2025Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah, United States
Nov 23, 2024Spiral aloe, Kangaroo Island, Australia
Feb 9, 2025Alstrom Point, Lake Powell, United States
Nov 26, 2025Olive orchard in the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Jan 24, 2024Diamond Beach, Iceland
Jan 25, 2025Porto, Portugal
Nov 28, 2024Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, Canada
Mar 14, 2024Wat Phra Ngam, Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand