15 grand castles that render the spirit of medieval Europe

3/6/2016

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Geography Story: 15 grand castles that render the spirit of medieval Europe

There is something incredibly romantic about medieval stately mansions cresting picturesque European hills. They were witnesses of driving and mysterious ages, of brave knights, beautiful ladies and bloody battles. We will show you 15 magnificent castles that still exist and remain uncorrupted.

#1 Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria

The castle was built in the 9th century on a hill that is almost 160 meters high. Currently, it is a popular place of attraction for tourists from around the world.

#2 Bled Castle, Slovenia

This is the oldest castle in the country built on a precipice above the city of Bled, overlooking Lake Bled. The history of the place is very rich: it served as a residence of royal family for many years and then as a home to the famous Iosip Broz Tito.

#3 Hohenzollern Castle, Germany

The fortress was built on the top of Hohenzollern Mountain between 1846 and 1867 by Hohenzollern scion King Frederick William IV of Prussia. It is one of the most popular touristic destinations in the country.

#4 Barcience Castle, Spain

Built in the province of Toledo in the 15th century the castle was used as an artillery fortress. Now its remains are popular with tourists and hikers.

#5 Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Being about 2 hundred years old, this castle is relatively young, but it is possibly the most romantic-looking castle in the world. No wonder it inspired Disney studio to create their Sleeping Beauty castle.

#6 Chillon Castle, Switzerland

Château de Chillon is situated at the bank of Geneva Lake and consists of 15 elements built at different time. Its incredibly rich history and recognizable exterior inspired many poets and writers, for example, Lord Byron.

#7 Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Located on a rocky island, it is thought to be one of the most romantic castles in Scotland. Eilean Donan is famous for its heather honey and ancient legends.

#8 Bodiam Castle, England

Since the moment of its erection in the 14th century the castle had several different owners and each of them loved fighting. As a result, by the 20th century the castle turned into ruins. Fortunately, it was bought by Lord Curzon in 1917 and totally restored.

#9 Guaita Fortress, San Marino

It is one of the oldest castles in Italy and an architectural landmark of San Marino. If you ever visit this tiny republic, this is certainly number 1 place to see.

#10 Castle Stalker, Scotland

Built in 1320 by Clan MacDougall the castle had belonged to different families up to the middle of the 20th century. In 1965, Lt. Col. D. R. Stewart Allward negotiated terms for the purchase of the Castle and spent the next ten years rebuilding and restoring it as it is today.

#11 Bran Castle, Romania

This magnificent and mysterious castle can be called an architectural pearl of Transylvania. As the legend goes, the castle once belonged to famous Vlad Tepes, a prototype of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

#12 Vyborg Castle, Russia

This medieval fortress was built by Swedish knights in 1293 during one of their military expeditions and later belonged to Finland. In 1710, the castle was taken by Peter the Great of Russia. Now it is situated in the town of Vyborg 135 km away from St. Petersburg and is open to public as a museum.

#13 Rock of Cashel, Ireland

The castle was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. In 1101, the King of Munster donated his fortress on the Rock to the Church because the place is closely connected with the legend about St. Patrick. At present, it is the most visited Heritage site in Ireland.

#14 Reichsburg Cochem, Germany

This castle is almost a thousand years old. It was built as a residence of Conrad III of Germany and in 17th century was used as a residence of Louis XIV of France. In 1689, the castle was burnt by French army and would have disappeared completely, but for a German businessman who bought the ruins in 1868 and spent a lot of money to restore it.

#15 Mont Saint Michel, France

Located on one of the islands in Normandy and surrounded by water, the castle was an unassailable fortress in the mediaeval times. It was erected as far back as 709 and still boggles one’s mind with its grandeur.

Have you ever visited any of these castles? Are you a fan of medieval history and architecture? Please tell us in the comments!

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

55 Comments

Lydia Coutts

Good list, but as a resident of Scotland's capital I must protest the absence of Edinburgh Castle - one of the most iconic castles in Europe, and deservedly so. I mean, as well as being quite ridiculously grand and picturesque, it's built on an extinct volcano...

Shelly Donvig

loved this site but to bad we cant see inside

Lane Klompas

Stunning locations. Feel Windsor Castle is equally grand, with historical significance

Anita Clark Morton

Deena Grady, I'm Canadian, but lived in northern England for 15 years. Loved all the castles, and historical places. Cliffs of Dover, Winchester Cathedral, and Stonehenge come to mind

Anita Clark Morton

Angeles Dembowski, It IS gorgeous. Saw it many times while living in England

Anita Clark Morton

Lydia Coutts, I TOTALLY agree. I'm Canadian, but lived in northern England for 15 years. We went up into Scotland many times, most especially for the Edinburgh Tattoo. LOVED it!! I don't miss England, but I DO miss being able to go into Scotland, and Edinburgh is a big reason why.

lls

Lydia Coutts, Wow! I didn't know about the extinct volcano--that must be some interesting geology, under the castle's foundations!

Steve Kemp

Castle Stalker has another distinction - it was used as the location of Castle Aaaaarghh in Monty Python and The Holy Grail

Angeles Dembowski

No Windsor Castle? It dates back to William the Conqueror and is stunning.

Denise Bruce

It would have been good to mention the nearest town to where these castles are located, instead of just a country! Also where was Edinburgh castle, Balmoral castle?

Diane Thompson

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

Yvonne Whysall

That was also the castle in the film chatty chitty bang bang. I went there as a child to Bavaria, truly beautiful

Ian Swindale

Not just Edinburgh Castle but Leeds Castle in Kent and Gorey Castle in Jersey. Obviously to show all the castles worthy of being shown is an impossible task and any list drawn up one of us would be different to that drawn up by someone else, etc.

Barb Beck

I got to go to Mont St Michel when in Normandy France. It is the MOST Amazing castle ever. to see it in person, you are in awe at the way it was built, when it was built, and what great condition it is in.

Deena Grady

Someday it's my dream to visit the British Isles and see the castles and a lot of other history.

tdelisi

Been to 2 of them. Hope to see them all before I kick the bucket.

Alex Vivaldi

How about Carcassone in southwestern France?

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