Palaces, castles, and towers still draw
interest with their Old World charm in today's tech-savvy world. Most of these structures are found in
Europe and Asia with the majority of the buildings located on the European
continent. Therefore, if you live in the U.S. and want to see a castle then
you’ll need to fly overseas.
While several of the fortresses feature works of art, the structures
themselves can also be regarded as masterpieces. The following list features
some of the more well-known castles, palaces and towers.
15) Malbork Castle
Located in Malbork, Poland, the Malbork Castle is the largest structure of its
kind in terms of square feet and its the largest brick building in Europe. The construction of the castle started in the 14th century and was
completed in 1406 by the Teutonic Knights.
Featuring spectacular scenery, the landscape around the castle is highlighted
by a river with lush vegetation and trees set against the rust backdrop of the
castle’s walls.
The Malbork Castle Museum also occupies the castle grounds and features a
library, an E-museum, conservation programs as well as document digitization.
For those who like to study, research can be conducted in the museum’s library.
Exterior of Malbork Castle
Tombstones of St. Anne's Chapel Located Inside Malbork
Castle
By Diego Delso, via
Wikimedia Commons
14) Prague Castle
The Prague Castle, located in Prague in the Czech Republic, has been the home of
a variety of kings as well as emperors and has served as the official residence
of presidents. Secret rooms, fabulous displays of jewelry and art draw a
sizable number of tourists annually. Collections, like the Bohemian
Crown Jewels are on display and the fortification is built around a number of
palatial structures. Churches also surround the castle, including the Church of the Virgin Mary; the first building
established in the complex.
In 1514, the castle was damaged by fire. As a result, the architectural style
of the structure acquired a more Renaissance look when it was rebuilt rather
than the Gothic façade it had possessed in the past.
Featuring grand gardens and a green, lush landscape, the tower’s most
popular feature today is the pedestrian tunnel that runs thorough Deer Moat. The
moat is a
big hit among tourists who trek through the passageway onto the castle grounds.
Vladislav Hall, Inside Prague Castle
By PetrusSilesius, via
Wikimedia Commons
13) Himeji Castle
The Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture in Japan is home to the amazing Himeji Castle. A
prime example of castle architecture from the feudal period, Himeji Castle is
often referred to as the “White Egret” Castle because its exterior resembles an
egret about to take flight.
Known as the oldest castle in the country, the Hemeji fortress has managed to
remain standing even after the bombings of the Second World War and a string of
earthquakes. Due to its long history and popularity, the castle receives over
820,000 visitors annually and is a
designated UNESCO World Heritage site, . People find that seeing the castle is well worth the long stair climb
made up to the castle doors.
The hilltop castle is located about 450 miles west of the capital of Tokyo.
If you’re planning to visit Japan then you’ll want to include the Himeji City
landmark on your itinerary.
Himeji Castle
Inside the Main Tower of Himeji Castle
By alisdair, via
Wikimedia Commons
12) Peles Castle Peles Castle, located in Sinaia, Romania, is a stunning example of
Neo-Renaissance architecture. Erected between 1873 and 1914, this castle was
built to be as the summer home of King Carol I.
The large building is made up of 160 rooms and is constructed of stone,
marble, bricks as well as wood. The representative style of the castle is German Renaissance
but you can
also see elements conveying Italian Renaissance, Gothic, German Baroque and
French Rococo styles.
The castle is the base for the Peles Museum and features over 4,000
historically significant statues, paintings, tapestries, rugs as well as furniture. Whether you visit the castle museum or merely stroll over the castle’s
grounds, you will be impressed by this elaborate stronghold in the heart of
Sinaia. Many visitors and photographers like to visit the grounds in the wintertime
when the castle takes on the look of a fairytale type dwelling.
Peles Castle
Interior of Peles Castle
11) Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle is located in Stirling, Scotland and is considered one of the
largest castles in the country. Built on Castle Hill, the fortress and its
buildings date back to the 14th to 16th centuries.
Serving as the base for numerous crowning ceremonies, the castle has come
under siege many times during its long history. Not only is the building open
for tourists, it also serves as a venue for concerts and entertainment.
The castle, which receives almost 400,000 visitors annually, is notably said
to be the home of resident ghosts. The colorful apparitions go by the names of
the “green lady” and the “pink lady” with the latter believed to be the ghost
of Mary, Queen of Scots.
10) Palace of
Versailles
Referred to as a palace and chateau, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most
beautiful and stunning buildings in the Paris area.
Expanded under Louis XIV, or the “Sun King”, the palace features apartments that
are themed to depict each of the planets that circle the sun.
Besides the apartments, the palace is also home to the magnificent Hall of
Mirrors. The hall is one of the most memorable areas of the palatial structure
and it was constructed from 1678 to 1684, it served as a connection to the chateau’s
apartments. Designed by architect Jules Hardouin Mansart, the passage showcases
17 mirrored arches that reflect light from the windows overlooking the gardens
on the grounds.
The Palace of Versailles is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features
2,300 rooms, 67 staircases as well as 2,153 windows. In it's walls there are 6,000 paintings,
2,000 sculptures and over 15,000 engravings that are currently on display. Musical
performances and plays are also featured at the attraction in addition to
ambiance of the decor.
Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles
By Myrabella, via
Wikimedia Commons
9) Spis Castle
Like many of the castles in Europe, the Spis Castle in Slovakia is in ruins and
it's another one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. The castle, constructed in the 12th century, stands in the spot
where another castle
once stood.
The exterior design of the castle, which was expanded in the 13th to 15th
centuries, is that of Romanesque and Romanesque-Gothic designs. The fortress caught fire in 1780, which is why a good part of the structure
stands in ruins today.
The castle has served as the site for such films as “The Last Legion” and
“Dragonheart”, it features a museum on its grounds today. Archaeological
researchers have conducted studies at the location in addition to films being
directed there.
8) Buda Castle
The Buda Castle is located in Budapest, Hungary and was
constructed between the 14th and 20th centuries. One of the UNESCO World
Heritage sites, the castle has a long history involving war and reconstruction.
The interior of the structure is just as grand as its exterior and features a
castle chapel, a gothic hall as well as barrel vaulted rooms. Private royal apartments
are also featured within the fortification.
Before its reconstruction, the fortress also showcased a writing room,
smoking room and tea room .The Budapest Museum, located inside the structure’s
walls, exhibits items that document Budapest history from ancient times to today.
Buda Castle
Inside the Lower Chapel of Buda Castle
7) Hampton Court
Technically, the Hampton Court of Herefordshire that is located in the village of Hope
in the parish of Dinmore, England, is a castellated country house. The elaborate
homestead, established around 1427, was built by Sir Rowland Lenthall.
In 1510, the elegant home was occupied by the Coningsby family and later
owned by John Arkwright during the 19th century. Remodeling was facilitated so
the home would look more like a castle than a rustic retreat.
The gardens of the home are open to visitors in the summer with various
events held during the year, including theatrical productions. The gardens at
Hampton Court showcase a garden maze, kitchen garden and a secret tunnel. The
luxurious home was featured in the 70s TV series, “Survivors” ,which
appeared on the BBC network.
Hampton Court
The Great Hall Ceiling Inside Hampton Court
By Diliff, via
Wikimedia Commons
6) Frankenstein
Castle
Because of its name, Frankenstein Castle draws the interest of a lot of
visitors. Considered to be the inspiration for Mary Shelly’s “Dracula”, the
castle is located in Darmstadt, Germany.
Reiz von Breuberg, who later changed his name to Frankenstein, first built
the castle in the early part of the 13th century. Frankenstein himself held an
imperial lordship, which caused him to be a direct subject of the emperor.
Historians believe that another castle stood near the Frankenstein site but the other structure eventually crumbled after the fortress was built.
Divided into two sections, the Frankenstein Castle was a home to both knights
and lords of different families. Much later, the building was used as a refuge
and hospital then the first Halloween festival was held at the
site in the late 70s. It is now one of the largest festivals of its kind on the European
continent.
Most of the castle is now in ruins,so tours are no longer given at the
attraction. However, you can enjoy a repast at a restaurant on the grounds and
the fortress is still home to a chapel along with two towers. The structure has been
featured on TV on an episode of “Ghost Hunters International”.
Inside the Chapel in Frankenstein Castle
By Pascal Rehfeldt, via
Wikimedia Commons
5) Neuschwanstein
Castle
First constructed in 1869, the Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Germany is
the model for the castle featured in Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty”. Commissioned by
Ludwig II, the English-translated New Swanstone Castle was meant to be a
sanctuary for the reclusive king. However, the castle
was opened to the public after the monarch died.
Currently, about one million people visit the Neuschwanstein Castle each
year and the castle itself has appeared in several films as well as videos. During
peak season, tourists stand in long lines to take a 35 minute guided tour inside
the fortress. Visitors are led through such areas as the Throne Room, the
Drawing Room, The Hall of Singers and the Study Room.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Detail of Throne Room in Neuschwanstein Castle
By Lokilech, via
Wikimedia Commons
4) Hohensalzburg
Castle
Located in Salzburg, Austria, the Hohensalzburg Castle sits on a beautiful
mountain with a water view. While the fortress is an amazing sight to see during
the day, it will take your breath away at night. When the massive fortification
is lit, it looks like a castle out of a fairy tale.
The Hohensalzburg Castle, which was built in honor of the prince-archbishops
of Salzburg, is one of Europe’s largest medieval castles. Construction began in
1077 and expansions to the structure continued over time.
The castle has been under siege one time during its history and was
able to withstand the adversarial attack. In the 1800s, the castle was used by
the military as barracks and a dungeon. Abandoned in 1861, the fortress is now a
major tourist attraction.
The castle, which was refurbished in the 19th century, has a number of
notable features and is home to the Golden Chamber, one of the most
elaborately furnished rooms inside the domain. Another notable feature is a large pipe organ, made in the early 16th century,
that is
featured in the Krautturm of the castle. The aerophone,
which is called the “Salzburg Bull”, is played each day from Palm
Sunday of each year until the late fall.
3) Tower of London
Officially called “Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress”, the Tower of London
is truly a sight to behold. As the name suggests, the castle is located in
London, UK; more specifically on the River Thames.
Stretching across 12 acres, the castle was originally built by William the
Conqueror in 1078. The White Tower, which is part of the original structure, was
used as a prison in 1100. An Inner Ward was added in the 1190s and
the structure’s wharf was extended from 1377 to 1399.
A major tourist attraction, the White Tower of the fortress features some of
the equipment used for torturing prisoners. Today, the Tower of London is
a World Heritage site and is overseen by the Historic Royal Palace. Tickets to view
the Tower are priced at £21.45, $34.34 USD, for adults and £10.75, $17.21 USD,
for children under the age of 16.
St. John's Chapel Inside The Tower of London
By Bernard Gagnon, via
Wikimedia Commons
2) Edinburgh Castle
Dating back to the twelfth century, Edinburgh Castle is located in Edinburgh,
Scotland. The castle has been habited for centuries and is still being used today. While
the castle was used as a royal residence for a long period of time, it
eventually became a stronghold for Scotland’s military in the 17th century.
As a site of various attacks and skirmishes, Edinburgh Castle stood up against
the Jacobite Rising in 1745 as well as the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th
century.
Some of the sieges resulted in damage to the castle but several parts
of the structure have remained intact and date back to the 12th century, making
them some of the oldest buildings in Scotland. St. Margaret’s Chapel, the Great
Hall and the Royal Palace, did not suffer any notable damage.
Edinburgh Castle is home to the Scottish National War Memorial, the Honors of
Scotland and the National War Museum of Scotland.
Edinburgh Castle
Ornate Mantle Inside Edinburgh Castle
1) Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world and is located in
Berkshire, England. This well known fortress is distinguished for its
long running association with the British Royal Family and is one of the
longest lived in castles in the world. In fact, the castle has been occupied
by monarchs since the rule of King Henry 1. The structure has been the royal
residence of such famous royal figureheads as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
During the English Civil War, the castle was used as a military base and during the reign of Charles I,
it served as a prison. Restoration of the castle
took place during the reign of Charles II.
In 1992, a fire claimed much of the castle and the structure underwent
extensive reconstruction. The cost to rebuild was set at around £40 million or
about $64 million.
Winsor Castle
Crimson Drawing Room Inside Windsor Castle
By Empirically Grounded, via
Wikimedia Commons
Conclusion
Castles and similar buildings seem like magical structures, given
their fairy tale lore and the legends that often surround the fortifications.
Wherever they are located, the structures allow you to become more acquainted
with another country’s culture and take a look back into history. The landmarks
give us a glimpse into the foundations of old tales and provide us with a better understanding of
English, European and Asian histories.
.jpg){kind=link}
