Secrets of the World's Most Spectacular Fairy-Tale Castles
Originatingin Europe, a castle is an architectural innovation built by nobility throughoutthe Middle Ages, usually as a private fortified residence.
Thereare 72castles on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some dating back as faras the 9th century, and surprisingly several of these incredible historic buildings are still being used as homes.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle,Germany
Despitebeing one of the newest castles on the list, Neuschwanstein Castle in Germanyis easily one of the most visually dramatic. This Bavarian beauty is perched ontop of a rocky hill overlooking the village of Hohenschwangau and wascommissioned in 1869 by King Ludwig the second of Bavaria, using his personalfortune. A true fairy-tale castle, the property is said to have been theinspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
2.Corfe Castle,England
While the original buildings would have been constructed of wood, the 11th century stone fortress was constructed on the natural hill top by William the Conquererand for the next 600 years was used as royal fortress by the British Monarchy.While now in ruin, this captivating site has 1,000 years worth of stories to tell.
The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork is the world’s largest castle bysurface area and was built in the 13th century on the banks of the river Nogatby the Teutonic Knights — an order of German Roman Catholic crusaders. It is aclassic example of a Medieval fortress and has been listed as a UNESCO WorldHeritage site since 1997. Used by the knights as a fortified monastery.
4.Mont Saint-Michel, France
Perched high on a small island commune and surrounded by sits the breath taking Gothicstyle Benedictine abbey of Saint Michel, whose monastery has occupied theposition since the 8th century. The island is situated just 600 meters from theNormandy mainland and linked by a tidal causeway across the sandbanks. Athigh tide, the water rises up to 14 feet, flooding the surrounding area andcompletely cutting the island off. Just 50 people live on the island, includingthe monks, but over 3 million visit the site each year.
5.Hohensalzburg Castle,Austria
Looming high over the city of Salzburg, this spectacular fortress is one of the largest fortifications in Europe. Construction on the original building began in 1077but was expanded upon over the next few centuries. In the 16th century, aprimitive funicular railway was constructed, providing freight access to the property, and it is still in existence today, making it the oldest operational railroad in the world. In the early 20th century the castle was actually used as a prison, housing Italian POWs during World War I.
Related: Pretend You’re A Princess: Stay in the Most Beautiful Palace and Castle Hotels in the World
6.Kilkenny Castle, Ireland
This incredible architectural masterpiece was built in 1195 by the first Earl of Pembroke as a stronghold to protect the local town. In 1391, the castle wasbought by a prominent local family — the Butlers, who ruled the surrounding area and lived in the home until 1935. That’s over 500 years that the house belonged to one family. During the rest of the last century, the castle was completely restored and opened to the public.
7.Alcazar of Segovia, Spain
Thismagical Spanish castle is truly a thing of fairy tales, acting as theinspiration for Disney’s Cinderella castle. Constructed mostly in the 12thcentury, the structure was home to the monarchs of the Kingdom of Castile andalso housed the parliament. After the royal court moved to Madrid at the end ofthe 16th century, the castle acted as a prison for almost 200 years beforebeing converted into the Royal Artillery School in 1762. Today the property isa heritage site and museum.
8.PragueCastle, Czech Republic
PragueCastle is arguably the most significant monument in the Czech Republic andaccording to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the largest castle complexon Earth — at over 70,000m2. The huge collection of palaces and ecclesiasticalbuildings began their construction back around the 9th century with additionsmade over the next 500 years. It has been the home of kings, Roman emperors, andmost recently the presidents of the Czech Republic. The Bohemian Crown Jewelsare also stored within the walls.
9.Caernarfon Castle,Wales
Thismonstrous stone fortress has been incredibly well preserved and is an excellentexample of military architecture erected during the colonization throughout thereign of King Edward I. The first fort on the site was built by the Romans butthe main stone structure, most of which is still standing, was constructed atthe beginning of the 13th century. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage sitesince1986 and now houses the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum.
10.KronborgCastle, Denmark
Oneof the most iconic Renaissance castles in the world, Kronborg Castle was builtas a fortress in the early 15th century by King Eric VII to control theentrance to the Baltic Sea. Between 1574 and 1585, Kind Frederic II had theconstruction dramatically changed into the magnificent palace that standstoday. It was used as a Royal residence until 1785 when it became barracks forthe army before being opened to the public in the 1920’s. The castle now hostsa very popular renaissance festival, Christmas markets, even weddings.
11.Krak des Chevaliers, Syria
Thisalmost perfectly preserved crusader castle is arguably one of the mostimportant medieval castles in the world. First inhabited in the 11th century,it was gifted to the Knights Hospitaller by Raymond II, the Count of Tripoli,and was used as a center for administration and as a military base. At itspeak, it was home to over 2,000 soldiers and was an impenetrable stronghold in avolatile region. In recent years, it has sadly become inaccessible due tothe Syrian Civil War with reports of damage due to shelling occurring in 2012.The castle is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but is registered as oneof the 48 world sites ‘in danger.’
12.Windsor Castle,England
Thelongest-occupied castle in Europe, Windsor Castle has been a royal residencefor the English, and later British monarchy since its construction in the 11thcentury. First occupied by King Henry I, it is now the preferred weekend residence of the current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. There are over 500 peoplewho live and work on the property, which is used for state banquets and officialroyal entertaining. It is also one of the UK’s most popular touristattractions, receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.
13.Edinburgh Castle,Scotland
While archeologists can prove human occupation on Castle Rock as far back as the 2nd century, Edinburgh Castle was not built on the hilltop until during thereign of David I, in the 12th century. The castle was a Royal residence fromthen until 1603, when it became a barracks and garrison. Historians claim thereis proof of 26 sieges throughout the castle’s 1,100-year history, makingit the “most besieged place in Great Britain.” The castle is now Scotland’s most visited tourist attraction, with over 1.4 million guests a year passingthrough the gates.
Source: Yahoo.com
