15 grand castles that render the spirit of medieval Europe

6/3/2016

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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.

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#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!

#Geography #Culture

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58 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

Joyce Greenlees

Also in Scotland is Stirling Castle where Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned in 1543. The castle sits atop an intrusive crag (a rock formation around 350 million years old), with magnificent views of the countryside. The Great Hall and Royal Apartments have been restored to their former glory. The exterior walls of the Great Hall have been limewashed as it would have been in the past. Stirling Castle and surrounding areas have a fascinating history - the Battle of Stirling Bridge 1297 (William Wallace) , Bannockburn, etc. Google to find out more.

Beverley Gould

Have been to Castle Bled, absolutely stunning view from there overlooking the lake.

Ellen Duff

Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland England It is a beautiful castle overlooking the North Sea and the lovely village of Bamburgh

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.

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15 grand castles that render the spirit of medieval Europe

#1 Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria

#2 Bled Castle, Slovenia

#3 Hohenzollern Castle, Germany

#4 Barcience Castle, Spain

#5 Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

#6 Chillon Castle, Switzerland

#7 Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

#8 Bodiam Castle, England

#9 Guaita Fortress, San Marino

#10 Castle Stalker, Scotland

#11 Bran Castle, Romania

#12 Vyborg Castle, Russia

#13 Rock of Cashel, Ireland

#14 Reichsburg Cochem, Germany

#15 Mont Saint Michel, France

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¿Qué diez inventos medievales cambiaron el mundo? 17/3/2021
by Yago Mera via QUORA.COM

¿Cuáles son los documentales de Netflix que vale la pena ver? 30/4/2021
by Juan Mendoza via QUORA.COM

¿Cuáles son las imágenes que muestran el poder del tiempo? 8/6/2021
by Isabella Veggie via QUORA.COM

¿Cuáles son algunas cosas extrañas que se prohíben en los países? 18/4/2021
by Jane Parks via QUORA.COM

¿Cómo va ser el mundo en el 2100? 21/4/2021
by Jesus Ordosgoitty via QUORA.COM