Carlisle Castle

The impressive red stone structure of Carlisle Castle is located in the county of Cumbria, in the northwestern part of England.

During its 900-year history Carlisle Castle has been through various stages of a very turbulent and important episode in British history. Because of its proximity to the border between England and Scotland, Carlisle castle is the root of many wars and invasions over the centuries.

The castle was built by King William II, son of William the Conqueror, who invaded England in 1066. At that time Cumbria was named Cumberland and is still considered part of Scotland. When William II invadedthis area, he expelled the Scots and declared the territory English.

Soon after, in 1093 starts the construction of the new castle in the town. Carlisle Castle was built in the Norman style on the site of an old Roman fort.

The castle was built in response to the need to keep the northern border of England secure against the threat of invasion from Scotland.

The medieval castle was built around 1122 when Henry I give an order to replace the old Norman castle and to build a new castle, solid and with massive stone fortress with high walls.

In the following centuries the castle, because of its strategic location was continuously becoming an arena of battles for power and dominance and to change their rulers. In 1568 Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in the castle, and during the English Civil War in 1644, Carlisle Castle was besieged by the forces of parliament, which lasted eight months.

Today Carlisle Castle has become a historical landmark, and has a great interest from tourists. Visitors to the castle have the opportunity to embark on a study of the many halls, stairways and dungeons. It houses the local historical museum of the Frontier Regiment, has an interesting shop for gifts and souvenirs.