Centuries ago, when rulers of the kingdom graced their battlements, these mighty castles in south-west Wales would have witnessed some incredible scenes.

Today they are some of Wales' most popular tourist attractions - and a must see for anyone who visits this part of the country.

From epic monuments to humble remains, the region lays claim to dozens of historic castles - perhaps some of the best in the land.

Here are the ones that you should definitely discover for yourself.

Want to find out more about this region's legendary history? Then visit southwest.wales.

1. Pembroke Castle

Pembroke Castle

An enormous oval castle, mostly surrounded by a serene mill pond, it was restored in Victorian times and today stands dominated by the complex gatehouse on the outside and the huge circular keep once you are inside.

Pembroke itself, the walled town which grew up around the castle, has many other ancient and interesting Norman buildings in it too.

2. Carew Castle

This massive stone castle sits in a gorgeous location next to a mill pond, which powers its tide mill.

Today the castle is a ruin, but it was once a powerful stronghold and a grand Elizabethan mansion.

3. Manorbier Castle

Manorbier Castle

With its rectangular plan, Manorbier has a sturdy-battlemented curtain wall with striking powerful towers on each of its corners, a complicated hall range, big barn and outstanding gatehouse.

4. Haverfordwest Castle

Haverfordwest Castle

The skyline along the river of this small town is dominated by the shell of a mighty castle.

Though, while it may look impressive, little remains other than the outside wall - a profound reminder of just how many repeated attempts to destroy them castles can withstand.

5. Roch Castle

Roch Castle

This 12th-century castle near Haverfordwest was probably built in this location as one of the outer defences of 'Little England' or Landsker, as it is located near the unmarked border which, for centuries, has separated the English and Welsh areas of Pembrokeshire.

6. Cilgerran Castle

Cilgerran Castle

Cilgerran Castle stands on a precipitous, craggy promontory overlooking the River Teifi where it merges with the Plysgog stream.

The Teifi here is just at its tidal limit, so the castle was able to control both a natural crossing point and the passage of seagoing ships.

7. Narberth Castle

Narberth Castle

A rectangular castle with towers on each corner. Unfortunately, though, not much remains today.

The most fascinating thing about Narberth Castle is the legends that are attached to it.

8. Newcastle Emlyn

Newcastle Emlyn Castle

The remains of this castle sit on a grassy site overlooking the River Teifi.

Only ruins stand today but you can still get a great feel for the majesty of this place.

The twin-towered gatehouse on the west side of the triangular inner courtyard is the castle’s most prominent feature.

The gatehouse towers are semi-octagonal outside and rectangular inside with latrine shafts on the north and south.

9. Laugharne Castle

Laugharne Castle is testament to the town’s troubled history, standing foursquare on the waterfront overlooking the Taf estuary.

It was probably founded in the early 12th century as an earth and timber fortification but was later adapted to provide stylish living accommodation.

10. Carmarthen Castle

Carmarthen Castle

Carmarthen Castle was once one of the largest castles in Wales and was the centre of Norman Government in medieval south and west Wales.

It was built by King Henry I in 1106-1109 as a Motte and Baily castle with timber defences and was converted into a stone fortress during the 13th century.

Today, the remains of Carmarthen Castle are tucked away between the council offices and retail shops.

11. Llansteffan Castle

Llansteffan Castle stands on a hill overlooking the Tywi estuary, standing guard over the river as it would have done in the early 12th century.

It was one of a chain of castles built by the Normans but its history as a stronghold goes back much further, with the castle taking advantage of the existing earthworks of an Iron-Age hillfort.

12. Kidwelly Castle

Kidwelly Castle

This castle is one of Wales’s best-kept secrets. Kidwelly, overlooking the River Gwendraeth, presents a vision of medieval times which is more complete than many of its more celebrated contemporaries.

The castle is remarkably well preserved but its most arresting feature has to be its great gatehouse, completed in 1422.

13. Dryslwyn Castle

Dryslwyn Castle

Only fragments of this 13th century castle on the banks of the River Tywi survive but it is still worth the steep climb up from the car park below as the views are magnificent.

Dryslwyn was probably built in the 1220s by the princes of Deheubarth and was, with its near neighbour at Dinefwr, for a long time central to the security of the kingdom.

14. Dinefwr Castle

Dinefwr Castle

A 12th-century Welsh castle, historic house and 18th-century landscape park, home to more than 100 fallow deer, make Dinefwr Castle a truly amazing place.

The castle overlooks the River Tywi near the town of Llandeilo, and there is a very defensible steep drop to the river of several hundred feet.

15. Carreg Cennen

Carreg-Cennen Castle

The ruins of Carreg Cennen Castle stand majestically some 900 feet above the River Cennen.

Prepare to be amazed by the 60-mile panoramic views across to the Preseli Hills to the west, and the remote Black Mountain to the south.

16. Llandovery Castle

Llandovery Castle

A late 13th-century, Grade II-listed castle ruin, it occupies a knoll overlooking the River Towy and the land surrounding it.

The Normans built a castle in the current location in the early 12th century and this was rebuilt in stone.

It was burnt in the early 16th century and never repaired.

17. Margam Castle

Margam Castle

This is a partial ruin of a Tudor-Gothic fantasy castle-home built in 1835 - gables, turrets and towers are part of its notable architecture.

The castle was built by Christopher Rice Mansell who wanted to create a grand residence that would compliment the rich history of Margam.

18. Neath Castle

Neath Castle

Neath Castle was one of the minor Norman castles in the lordship of Glamorgan. Like the Romans before them, the Normans chose this strategic spot guarding the river crossing for a stronghold.

The main surviving feature of the castle is the great twin-towered gatehouse on its west side.

19. Loughor Castle

Loughor Castle

Its position was strategically chosen between the 13th and 14th century to overlook the lowest fordable part of the River Loughor and major communication route that crossed south Wales.

Loughor Castle is a ruined medieval fortification located in the town of Loughor. The castle was built around 1106 by the Anglo-Norman lord Henry de Beumont, during the Norman invasion of Wales.

The site overlooks the River Loughor and controlled a strategic road and ford running across the Gower Peninsula.

20. Swansea Castle

Swansea Castle

Inextricably linked with the most powerful and ambitious men and women of the medieval period, the castle's history reads like a medieval who's who, full of murder, marriages of convenience, double crossing and devious alliances.

Swansea's medieval fortress has withstood siege, rebellion and the Blitz - a true survivor at the heart of the city.

21. Oystermouth Castle

Oystermouth Castle

After recent conservation work, the structure of this castle is safe and sustainable for the foreseeable future.

The public can now explore parts of the castle that have been hidden away for centuries.

Features include ancient graffiti art from the 14th century, plus people can come and explore the medieval maze of deep vaults and secret staircases and enjoy the magnificent views over Swansea Bay from the 30 foot high glass bridge.

22. Oxwich Castle

Oxwich Castle

This Grade-One-listed castle occupies a proud position on the headland overlooking Oxwich Bay in Gower. Interestingly, it is a castle by technicality.

While it occupies the site of an early fortification, it is known as a castle due to its Tudor fortified manor house which is built in a courtyard style.

23. Pennard Castle

Pennard Castle

Pennard was built following the Norman invasion of Wales, sometime in the early 12th century, as a timber ring-work.

Today it's ruined, and its remains found near the village of Pennard in Gower.

24. Weobley Castle

Weobley Castle

A 14th-century manor house in Gower with fortified walls which is currently being maintained by historic preservation company Cadw.

It overlooks Llanrhidian saltmarshes and the Loughor estuary.

To find out how you can learn more about this region's history, visit southwest.wales.