Dinas Brân, is the dramatic ruined fortress that crowns the hill above the small riverside town of Llangollen.

It is a mystical place where history, myth, and landscape blend into something uniquely Welsh.

The Historical Story

The ancient fortress was a stronghold long before the castle was built.

The hill was first occupied in the Iron Age, around 600 BC, by the Celtic Ordovices. The tribe built a substantial hillfort with earthen ramparts and wooden palisades.

A medieval Welsh power base

The stone castle we see today was built in the 1260s by Gruffydd Maelor II, a prince of Powys Fadog.

It was constructed as a symbol of Welsh independence and strategic strength, dominating the Dee Valley.

Conflict and destruction

During the wars between the Welsh princes and the English crown, the castle became a target.

In 1277, English forces under Henry de Lacy approached. The Welsh defenders burned their own castle. They did this to prevent it from falling intact into English hands.

After this, it was abandoned and never rebuilt.

The Legends and Myths

Dinas Brân is as famous for its stories as for its stones.

The name Dinas Brân is often translated as Crow’s Fortress or Fortress of Brân, adding to its mysterious aura.

Giants and supernatural guardians

•       Folklore speaks of a giant associated with the hill. This is part of a widespread Celtic tradition involving giant-guardians of sacred places.

•       Some tales describe the ruins as haunted by a demon‑tormented giant, a figure woven into regional mythology.

Hidden treasure

•       One legend claims that a great treasure is buried beneath the ruins. It is said to be protected by magic or spirits. However, no one has ever found it.

A place of poetic imagination

•       Writers like George Borrow (in Wild Wales, 1862) described the ruins as melancholic and regal. They were likened to ‘an old king… with the ancestral crown still on his furrowed forehead.’

•       This romantic vision helped cement Dinas Brân as a symbol of Welsh identity and resilience.

Why Dinas Brân Captures the Imagination

Dinas Brân is more than a ruin, it’s a story in stone:

•       A vantage point over the Dee Valley that feels almost mythical

•       A reminder of the struggle between Welsh princes and English kings

A place where history and legend overlap, inviting visitors to imagine giants, warriors, and ancient tribes

Standing on the summit, with the wind sweeping across the hill, it’s easy to see the inspiration. This site has inspired centuries of stories.

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