- Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh Castle is one of the biggest castles in the world. It stands high atop Castle Rock and dominates the skyline of Edinburgh. It played a very important in the history of Scotland. The castle was the royal residence of Queen Margaret and King Malcolm Canmore in the 11th century. It was also used as a military stronghold for a long time. Edinburgh Castle acted as the base of the Scottish army from the end of 18th century till the 1920s. The location of the castle makes it more intriguing. It is located on the stump of an extinct volcano. The oldest building in Scotland, St. Margaret’s Chapel, is located inside this castle premises.
- Citadel of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
The Citadel of Aleppo is one of the oldest preserved castles in the world. It is located in the capital city of Aleppo in Syria. Located right in the center of the city, the castle dates back to the 3rd millennium B.C. It was occupied by many civilizations including the Byzantines and the Greeks. The building which stands today dates back to the 13th century. The citadel is made of natural limestone and rises up to 100 feet and is surrounded by high walls. There is an imposing bridge at the entrance. The interiors have been compromised, however, because of factors like natural decay, invasions and earthquakes.
- Himeji Castle, Himeji, Japan
Himeji Castle is considered to be the most beautiful castle in Japan. It was one of the few Japanese castles which has escaped natural disasters like earthquakes. It was built in the 14th century with several extensions added over the years. The total complex was completed in the 17th century. Himeji Castle is also known as ‘White Heron Castle’ because of its elegant exteriors.
- Buda Castle, Budapest, Hungary
Buda Castle is located on top of a hill in the Buda region of Budapest. It was constructed in the 13th century for defending the city against the Mongols. The castle has a mix of architectural styles, which includes Baroque and Gothic. This is mainly due to the fact it was rebuilt constantly because of repeated invasions. The main structure is known as the Royal Palace and looks quite plain when compared to the rest of the complex. The interiors are devoid of any ornamental decorations. In spite of these two factors, the castle makes for an imposing presence. It is more than 1000 feet in length.
- Spis Castle, Zehra, Slovakia
Spis Castle is a medieval castle located in eastern Slovakia. The present castle complex was built on the site of another castle. The main structure was constructed in the 13th century with several extensions added in the 15th century. It is frequently used as a location for Hollywood movies. Two of the major movies shot here are ‘The Last Legion’ and ‘Dragonheart.’ Spis Castle served as a cultural and economic center for the Hungarian kingdom for many years. Now, it belongs to Slovakia and is one of the most famous castles in Europe.
- Hohensalzburg Castle, Salzburg, Austria
Hohensalzburg Castle is one of the best-preserved castles in the world. It was constructed in the 11th century and was later enlarged in the 15th and the 16th centuries. The castle is on a peak high above the city of Salzburg and is a very recognizable landmark. The beauty of the castle can be appreciated even from afar. The castle was renovated in the 19th century and has since become a major tourist attraction of that region.
- Windsor Castle, Windsor, England
Windsor Castle is the largest castle in England. It is also the largest castle in the world which is inhabited. Elizabeth II, Queen of England, chooses to spend many of her weekends here. The castle is spread across 13 acres and is surrounded by a huge estate. The estate produces beef and lumber, amongst other things. When the queen is residing in the castle, the flag flying from the ‘round tower’ is the royal standard. Many visitors choose to visit the castle while the queen is spending time there. It takes almost three hours to explore this castle in its entirety.
- Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic
The Prague Castle is older than most castles in the world. It dates back to the 9th century. It went through several expansions on several occasions until the 18th century. The castle houses structures like St. George’s Basilica and St. Vitus Cathedral inside its premises. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fusion of several architectural styles, including major influences of the Roman and Gothic styles. Several sections of the castle have been transformed into museums.
- Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, India
The Mehrangarh Fort is the imposing structure rising behind the underground jail in the Batman movie ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’ Its massive size is on full display in the scene where the character of Bruce Wayne escapes the jail and goes outside. Although officially it is known as a fort, this majestic structure can be easily described as a castle. It is located on top of a hill and can be entered only after crossing 7 massive gates. The walls surrounding the castle are 21 meters wide and 36 meters high. The fort was built in the 15th century by Rao Jodha, who was the founder of the Indian city of Jodhpur. It is made of red sandstone and is considered to be one of the best-preserved forts in India.
- Malbork Castle, Malbork, Poland
Malbork Castle is the biggest castle in the world. It was built in the 13th century by Teutonic Knights (Roman Catholic religious order of crusaders of German origin). They used the castle as their headquarters for defending their territories and for defeating the Polish. After it was built, it was expanded several times to accommodate the growing number of Teutonic Knights. The Knights last occupied the castle in the year 1466. The Malbork Castle is a very good example of a brick castle. It was restored in the 19th and the 20th century. A major restoration work was done after it was damaged in World War II. The castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Originally posted 2017-05-30 06:25:15.