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Plans for a towering 20ft high steel sword sculpture to be built beside a Snowdonia lake have been given the go-ahead.

The “bold piece of public art” in honour of the Welsh princes will be situated on the shores of Llyn Padarn, Llanberis after Gwynedd Council planners gave it the green light.

The hope is that the attraction, which will cost £14,000 to commission, will succeed in drawing locals and tourists from all over the world to take an interest in the history of Gwynedd and Wales as a nation.

The idea is to try and focus attention on Gwynedd’s indigenous princes and Welsh castles in contrast to the castles later built in Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech during Edward I's conquest of Wales.

(Image: Arwyn Roberts)

The sculpture comes in the wake of the controversy around Flint Castle’s proposed Iron Ring sculpture, roundly criticised by many as a “disrespectful” symbol of oppression.

'This sword will draw international attention'

The plan is for the sword to be put in place in a matter of weeks.

But before that happens, Gwynedd Council are appealing to the public to come up with a suitable name for the sword with the school council pupils of Ysgol Llanbadarn, Llanberis having the final say. The name will then be carved into the sword.

Gwynedd’s head of economy and community Sioned Williams said: “Llanberis holds a significant place in history due to its links to the Princes of Gwynedd such as Llywelyn Fawr, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and Owain Glyndwr.

(Image: Gwynedd Council)

“The remains of Dolbadarn Castle still stand proud over the community and the historic meeting point of Moel Cynghorion can be seen from the village.”

“Cultural tourism is a growth sector and we are eager to make the most of the economic gains that can be made from it.

'It will be a Welsh sword the like of which were used to kill people.”

“As a council, our vision is to support our communities to make tourism a viable, year-round industry.

“This sword will draw national and international attention to Gwynedd and whet people’s appetite to come and experience our rich history and unique identity.”

(Image: Gwynedd Council)

Gwynedd tourism officer Alun Fôn Williams said: “The council has been advised by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales on the type of sword the Gwynedd Princes and their followers would have used, which has been the inspiration for Pandy Tudur blacksmith Gerallt Evans.”

Mr Evans said: “The design of the sword has been based on a sword which was found buried in the mud and earth in the grounds of Cardiff castle. It is being made of a weathering steel finish to look like an old sword. It’s important to get everything into scale including the handle. It won’t be anything ‘fancy’; rather it will be a Welsh sword the like of which were used to kill people.”

The sword will be 25ft high - with five feet buried in a concrete foundation.

Mr Evans said: “Hopefully, thousands of people will go and have their photographs taken beside it.”