A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble. Castles represent the architectural glory of a country and the magnificently built castles of European countries not only portray the distinguished civilization of the country but also show the intricate work of art.
They are enchanting not only in their history but also architecture and grand exterior. Castles consist of a group of fortified buildings with thick walls and towers.. Today, monarchs still reside in some very popular ones, such as Windsor Castle. Which justify the popularity of castle as a tourist attraction. The wealthy even have the luxury of residing in some majestic ones. So Here are the 10 Most Beautiful Castles in the World, all built in various times, all in their own architectural style and with their own incredible stories. I hope you will like it. Leave some comments on which ones are your favorite!
Malahide Castle, parts of which date to the 12th century, lies, with over 260 acres (1.1 km2) of remaining estate parkland (the Malahide Demesne Regional Park), close to the village of Malahide, nine miles (14 km) north of Dublin in Ireland. Malahide Castle is one of the oldest castles in Ireland. It has served as a residence for Talbot family since 1185 and til 1975. In period of 1649-1660 the castle was run by Miles Corbet after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. After Cromwell’s death the castle was returned to Talbot family.
Hohenwerfen Castle stands high above the Austrian town of Werfen in the Salzach valley, approximately 40 km (25 mi) south of Salzburg. The castle is surrounded by the Berchtesgaden Alps and the adjacent Tennengebirge mountain range. The fortification is a “sister” of Hohensalzburg Castle both dated from the 11th century.
Cochem Castle, Germany
The Cochem Castle is thought to stand overlooking River Mosel since 11th century. In the period between 1307 and 1354 the castle was extended and fortified. In 1689 however the castle was occupied and destroyed during King Louis XIV invasion of Rhine and the Moselle. The castle has been renovated and rebuilt by German nobility during the 19th century. Now it is a property of the town of Cochem.
Coca is a municipality in the province of Segovia, central Spain, part of the autonomous community of Castile-Leon. It is located 50 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital city of Segovia, and 60 kilometres from Valladolid. Coca is known for its 15th Century Mudéjar castle. The town had a population of 2,131 in 2009.
The Dunrobin Castle has existed since 13th century .Dunrobin Castle is a stately home in Sutherland, in the Highland area of Scotland. It is the seat of the Countess of Sutherland and the Clan Sutherland. It is located 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Golspie, and approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Brora, on the Dornoch Firth close to the A9 road. Nearby Dunrobin Castle railway station, on the Far North Line was originally a private station for the castle.Dunrobin’s origins lie in the Middle Ages, but most of the present building is the work of Sir Charles Barry, the architect of the Palace of Westminster in London, who greatly extended the building in 1845.
The Huniad Castle is a Gothic-Renaissance castle in Hunedoara , present-day Romania. It has once belonged to Hunyadi dynasty has survived fire and neglect but was restored and renovated by modern architects in Gothic style. The castle is believed to be a prison of seven years for Vlad III of the Wallachian empire a.k.a Dracula.
The royal Château de Chambord at Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinct French Renaissance architecture which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. King François I has built it as his hunting lodge where he has spent only 8 months of his reign. The construction, which began in 1519 has required 1,800 workers to build the beautiful but not defensive structure.
De Haar Castle was originally built in 1300′s by Van de Haar family and then destroyed in 15th century. Castle De Haar is located near Haarzuilens, in the province of Utrecht in the Netherlands. The current buildings, except for the chapel, date from 1892 and are the work of Dutch architect P.J.H. Cuypers, in a Neo-Gothic restoration project funded by the Rothschild family.
Boldt Castle, located on Heart Island (New York) in the Thousand Islands of the Saint Lawrence River, along the northern border of New York State, is a major landmark and tourist attraction in its region. It is a beautiful century-old castle built by George C. Boldt, Waldorf Astoria Hotel proprietor, as a token of love to his wife Louise. With the sudden death of his wife in 1904 George C. Boldt has stopped the construction being struck with grief. After seven decades of abandonment the castle was acquired by Thousand Islands Bridge Authority in 1977 and has been rehabilitated ever since.
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family. Built as early as 1070 Windsor is over 13 acres and is one of world’s largest residential castles. The Windsor castle is also open to public on certain days providing tours around the grand royal residence.
The town is situated 21 miles (34 km) west of Charing Cross. It is immediately south of the River Thames, which forms its boundary with Eton. Windsor and the surrounding areas contain some of the most expensive and desirable housing in the UK. The village of Old Windsor, just over 2 miles (3 km) to the south, predates what is now called Windsor by around 300 years; in the past Windsor was formally referred to as New Windsor to distinguish the two.