Discover the 23 most beautiful castles in Europe

There is something in the castles that arouses magic within us, doesn't it? These imposing buildings are lined with gigantic walls and tall towers that seem more out of a dream.

If you want to know some of the most beautiful palaces in the world, then it is a good idea to visit Europe. There you can find the most amazing and grandest buildings in the world. Here are the 23 most impressive.

1.Peles Castle, Romania

Known as one of the most beautiful palaces on the planet, Peles Castle is located in the city of Sinaia, Romania. Of its 168 rooms, only 35 can be visited by the public. Among the most famous are Holul de Onoare, Mare De Arme, De Teatru and Salonul Turcesc.

Under Charles I, it took a decade to get it ready (1873-1883). Initially, the place was used as a summer residence by the royal family of Romania. The castle garden was produced following Italian Renaissance style, containing drawings by Wilhelm Knechtel. Later, details of English architecture were included in its architecture.

2. Bojnice Castle, Slovakia

Although today it is made of stones and marble, initially Bojnice Castle was a wooden fortress. The place is so old it dates from the 12th century. It currently houses one of the most frequented museums in Slovakia.

Maté Csak I was the first owner of Bojnice, having received the place as a gift from King Ladislau V of Hungary in 1302. As early as the 15th century, he was given to King Matthias I, who used to read royal decrees under the shadow. of your favorite tree. In 1945, the building was confiscated by the Czechoslovak government, but underwent a terrible fire five years later. However, the parliament managed to completely rebuild it, making it a museum.

3. Coca Castle, Spain

This imposing fortress was built in the Gothic style in the 15th century by the Archbishop of Seville. The place is so imposing that on June 3, 1931, it became a Spanish historical heritage site. In 1954 it was handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture, thus becoming a training center for foresters. However, you can still take a guided tour of the fort's museum.

4. Brodick Castle, Scotland

Located right on the Isle of Arran on the Clyde River Firode in Scotland, Brodick Castle is one of the oldest in Europe. In fact, the place was built by the English dukes as a form of protection against the Vikings. However, some say it was the barbarians themselves who raised the fortress.

Due to fights between the Campbel and Maclean clans, the castle was burned in 1528. However, the Hamiltons dominated the site for many centuries, and in 1957 the Hamiltons gave up the fort, thus allowing it to become one. of the most visited historical sites in the world

5.Castiki Veliki Castle, Croatia

Veliki Tabor is a palace dating from the 12th century. Much of its structure was erected by the noble family of Rattkay, which maintained it until 1793. It is located in the Zagorje region of Croatia.

Between 1927 and 1935, the renowned painter Oton Ivekovic took over the castle. Interestingly, its ceiling is made from 12 different materials, and the remains of the legendary Veronika of Desinic are buried in the first floor chapel. Currently the fort is owned by the Croatian government, houses a museum and serves as a tourist spot. Since 2002, Velik Tabor has hosted an international short film festival.

6. Ksiaz Castle, Poland

Poland's third largest castle is located on a cliff beside the Pelcznica river. Its construction was made in the 13th century under the orders of Bolko I. During the ages, the fort has been destroyed and redone many times. However, nothing takes away the beauty of its green landscapes and the surrounding sea.

Also known as the “Pearl of Lower Silesia”, Ksiaz Castle is the scene of many supernatural stories. One says that after midnight you can hear the rides of Daisy von Hochberg-Pless, an Englishwoman who became a princess thanks to her marriage but hated the place.

7. Bran Castle, Romania

Prince Vlad Tepes is said to have used the place as a residence, so it is not surprising that it is known as "Dracula's Castle." The place was built by the Order of the Teutonic Knights and is located on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia - more precisely in the forest at the foot of the Carpathians.

Nowadays, it is used as a museum open to the public, containing pieces of furniture and art from Queen Mary. Since the palace looks amazing, is located in a secluded region and has pointed towers, it is not hard to believe that the vampire king must have spent at least one vacation there.

8. Lincoln Castle, England

Built in 1068, Lincoln Castle, located in Lincolnshire County, was built on top of an originally Roman fortress. During the Georgian and Victorian ages he served as a prison. However, it was also inhabited by William the Conqueror, the first Norman king in the Land of the Queen. Nowadays he appears in many movies and series, including ITV's Downton Abbey.

9. Eltz Castle, Germany

Set in the hills between Koblenz and Trier in Germany, the Eltz is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the world. In addition, for 800 years the Burg Eltz family has headed the palace. Due to its privileged location, the fort made it possible to guard both sides of the access to the Eltz Valley, which helped to remain intact and secure to this day.

10. Mount Saint-Michel, France

This convent palace is at the mouth of the Couesnon River in the Manche, France. The site was considered a medieval wonder as it is situated on a rocky peak and served as a destination for numerous pilgrims. In it was built an abbey dedicated to the archangel St. Michael.

The place was fortified during the 13th century, and is part of a set with three other historic citadels: Aigues-Mortes, Carcassonne and Avignon. Known as "bastides", these regions gave new opportunities to the people during the late Middle Ages.

11. Malbork Castle, Poland

Founded by the Teutonic Order in 1274, Malbork Castle was considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It is located about 60 km from Gdansk, Poland. Originally, it was called the Castle of Mary, as was the city that developed around it.

Initially, the place served as a convent, but received several fortifications until it became a true medieval fortress. The palace consists of three parts: the High Castle, which housed the former convent; the Middle, which served as the base for the servants and some service areas; and Baixo, where was the karwan - a place dedicated to the storage of military weapons. Most of the areas are made of red bricks.

12. Frankenstein Castle, Germany

Located in the state of Hesse, Germany, Frankenstein Castle is as popular as Dracula's. Alchemist Johann Conrad Dippel is said to have lived there but eventually destroyed part of the castle during one of his nitroglycerin experiments.

Mary Shelley was with her family in the area and heard rumors that the researcher was also testing on dead bodies and signing as "von Frankestein". It didn't take long for her to write her most famous classic.

13. Eger Castle, Hungary

Decorated in Gothic style, Eger Castle became popular for blocking the advance of the Turkish army during the 1552 invasion. However, in 1701 the Austrian forces blew up half of it. It was not until 1925 that archaeological expeditions began at the palace, which also served as army barracks until 1957. There are currently four huge museums and several exhibitions available for visitation.

14. Windsor Castle, England

Located in Berkshire County, England, Windsor Castle is one of the most famous on the planet. In addition to its iconic architecture, the fortress is known for housing the oldest lineages of the British and English monarchy. At first it was erected to prevent the Norman invasion as it is strategically arranged near an important part of the River Thames.

During the English Civil War, the place was used as the military and captivity headquarters of Charles I. Already in World War II, the castle was used as a refuge for the royal family. In 1992, it was set on fire, but firmly resisted the event.

15. Trakai Castle, Lithuania

Although small, Lithuania's Trakai town boasts two of Europe's most beautiful Gothic castles, one of which is located near Lake Galvé and the other on an island. In them, there are beautiful museums that keep the historical artifacts of the country and other objects found underground of the fortresses.

The building of the fort began in the 14th century under Kestutis, and much of the work was completed in 1409. In the war against Moscow in the 17th century, the place was ruined and abandoned for a long time. Already in the 19th century, an archaeological commission began to analyze and document the process of reconstruction of the site. However, only after World War II was it restored following 15th century style.

16. Spis Castle, Slovakia

This is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage palaces. Dating from the 12th century, Spis Castle is one of the largest medieval models located in Central Europe.

17. Hohensalzburg Castle, Austria

Built in 1077 by the archbishop of Gebhard, Hohensalzburg Castle is built in the city of Salzburg, Austria. This huge fortress is above the city of Festungsberg. In total, it is 150 meters wide and 250 meters long. The immense walls surrounding the building were erected by the prince and also Archbishop Burkhard II in 1462.

During World War I, the place served as a jail for Italian prisoners, later for Nazi activists.

18. Canterbury Castle, England

Built in the 3rd century, Canterbury Castle is one of the oldest in Europe. He is one of Kent's three royal forts, the other two being Dover and Rochester. Together the fortresses guarded the main road linking London with Dover. This route was widely used by William the Conqueror, so it was important to keep it always protected.

In the 14th century, the palace lost some of its brilliance due to Dover's most imposing buildings, thus becoming a prison. Already in the 17th century, it was totally abandoned and left in ruins. Today, visitors can climb some towers and wander among the gardens of what is left of the castle.

19. Predjama Castle, Slovenia

Predjama Castle was built under a natural rock formation located in the Inner Carniola region of Slovenia. Following Renaissance style, the palace was first cited in 1274. There is a hidden path leading out of the original fort and ends at the top of the hill, about 25 meters above. This route was widely used to supply the place during the siege periods.

20. Pembroke Castle, Wales

Situated in Pembroke, Wales, the first castle was erected in 1093 by Roger II of Montgomery during the Norman invasion of Wales. About a century later, the fortress passed to William Marshal at the hands of Ricardo I. At that time, the knight rebuilt the place, building much of what remains today. A curious fact is that Henry Tudor, the first monarch of his house, was born in this palace.

21. Hunedoara Castle, Romania

If Count Dracula did not live in Bran Castle, then he must have lived in Hunedoara for a while. Mixing Renaissance and Gothic elements, the palace was erected in 1446 on the orders of John Hunyadi who wanted to reform the original structure erected by Charles I of Hungary.

Legend has it that the Count of Vlad III (also known as the Impaler) was imprisoned in the dungeons of this castle for seven years before his dethronement in 1462.

22. Cyrene Castle, Turkish Republic of Cyprus

Located in a very picturesque region, this fortress survived several sieges, including a four-year war. Built in the 16th century, the castle was erected by the Venetians after a long crusade. However, researchers have found evidence that the original palace has existed since the 7th century, designed to protect the city from a possible attack by the Arab navy.

23. Prague Castle, Czech Republic

Prague Castle is the largest representation of power in that country. Raised in the 9th century on Hradcany Hill, it remains incredibly beautiful to this day. It was formerly inhabited by the Bohemian kings, and has now been transformed into a presidential residence. According to the Book of Records, it is the largest castle in the world, having a total of 72, 500 square meters.