Owain Glyndŵr Parliament House

The Parliament House in the centre of Machynlleth is where Owain Glyndŵr held his famous parliament of 1404, one of the defining moments of Welsh national identity. The building now houses a small museum dedicated to Glyndŵr and the 15th-century uprising — the last time Wales came close to achieving political independence before the modern era.

The exhibition covers Glyndŵr's life, the revolt, and the Welsh world of the early 15th century. It is modest in size but well done, and puts the town's historical significance in context. The building itself dates in part from the medieval period, though it has been modified many times since. It sits at the top of the main street, a few steps from the famous clock tower. Entry is free or by donation.

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A story
In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr — the last person to hold the title Prince of Wales by Welsh right — summoned a parliament to Machynlleth, the first formal Welsh parliament in history. He received ambassadors from France, Scotland, and Castile here as he attempted to establish Wales as an independent European state. The revolt eventually failed, and Owain disappeared sometime after 1412; his fate and burial place remain unknown.

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