Tretower Castle ,

Probably constructed of earth and timber, Tretower Castle was typical of the many motte and bailey castles built at the time of the Norman Conquest of South Wales. In the mid-12th century a shell Keep and Gatehouse were constructed on the motte, and within the Keep an L-shaped block contained the Hall and Solar. This ruinous building displays some of the finest Romanesque domestic work to survive in Wales and, although well weathered, the windows especially show some splendidly carved detail.

During the first half of the 13th century, the Great Tower (round Keep) was built inside the original shell Keep and a roof built on the space in between. Stone curtain walls with round towers replaced the wooden fences. Constructed with three storeys and a basement, the Great Tower could adequately protect Tretower Castle, and a bridge was built between the tower and the curtain wall providing means of communication.

The keep is constructed of three stories and a basement, with an original entrance at first floor level, above a strong, slanted batter or talus. The top of the talus is marked by a decorative string-course of stone. The keep is a rare example of a cylindrical keep in the British Isles.

Except for the top section, this Great Tower has remained virtually intact, as well as a small section of the parapeted wall-walk.

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