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The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Forget Disney: 24 real-life fairytale castles in the UK and Europe you can stay in
Disney theme park castles not quite enchanting enough for you? If you're craving a more intense storybook vibe, then check into one of these real-life fairytale European castles. They're steeped in history and some are former homes of kings, queens and knights. And you can spend the night in them all. There's one in France that inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty, an English castle that King Henry VI stayed in and a 13th-century Tuscany tower that Dante called home. They're all unique, but with one thing in common — pinch-me-I'm-dreaming fantasyland looks. Château de Rouffillac, Sarlat-la-canéda, Dordogne Valley, France Even in the Dordogne, the "Valley of 1001 Castles", swoonworthy Château de Rouffillac is a standout structure. The 12th-century hilltop castle, remodeled in the 19th century, evokes storybook scenes with its fantasyland facade and majestic interiors. The pick of the rooms is a royal suite featuring its own turret, a sitting area "with magnificent views" and stained-glass windows. From $17,000 for up to 20 people. Visit Chateau de Menthon, Annecy, France Chateau de Menthon is said to have been the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty, and while you can't stay in the castle itself, you can spend the night in a cottage within the grounds. The 12th-century castle has belonged to the same family, the Menthons, for 23 known generations. What was once an austere fortress was transformed at the end of the 19th century by the great-grandfather of the current owners, René de Menthon. The cottage offers views of Lake Annecy and four suites. Rooms from $530. Visit This former 13th-century Knights Templar military fortress, nestled amid vineyards in a part of the Occitanie region of France known as "Little Tuscany", is now an exceptional place to stay, with guestrooms furnished in 17th-century style. Visit Occitanie remarks that a "meticulous restoration" of the property was carried out in the 1960s by the painter Bernard Bistes that "transformed the castle into a true work of art". This 13th-century chateau, located in the Malbec wine growing area between Bordeaux and Toulouse, is described by Visit Occitanie as a "sacred jewel". Hyperbole? The pictures suggest it would be the crowning glory of any European vacation with a fairytale angle. The château overlooks the river Lot from a vertiginous cliff, with Visit Occitanie adding: "It is the perfect destination for a timeless break in the heart of nature. 'A majestic site steeped in history, Château de Mercuès invites you on a unique journey to the heart of France's great Malbec wines." Château d'Ouchy, Lausanne, Switzerland Switzerland is famous for its chocolate, watches and mountains, but is also home to a few eye-catching historical chateaux, such as this one, which is about as striking as they come. Standing proud on the banks of Lake Geneva like a pop-up storybook castle, 49-room neo-Gothic Chateau d'Ouchy is festooned with luxurious touches and amenities, including a tree-shaded outdoor pool and sauna. And it's rich in history, beginning life as a single tower in 1177. It was built by Bishop Landri de Durnes, explains Small Luxury Hotels, and a century later, the structure was transformed and fortifications added to provide safe housing for the bishops of Lausanne. Today, it's safe housing for travelers who like the finer things in life. With an Alpine view. Rooms from $340. Visit Cap Rocat, Mallorca, Spain What was once a 19th-century fortress built to defend the Bay of Palma, is now a romantic small hotel. Though the building's past is very much interwoven with its present-day purpose as a luxurious bolthole. There's a drawbridge, suites in former shooting buttresses and while there's no dungeon, there is a spa that's been dug 40 feet underground in the fortress's protected rock. Castle Elvira, Trepuzzi, Italy No, you're not dreaming. This fantasy-like Italian castle is perfectly real. Small Luxury Hotels boasts that it's "both rustic and luxurious, magical but equipped with discreet modern technology". It's not cheap, but they say you get what you pay for, and here, it's seemingly a slice of heaven (with hand-carved Carrara marble bathtubs and a pool). The hotel, which dates to the late 1800s, is located just 10 minutes away from the picturesque city of Lecce, sometimes referred to as "the Florence of the south". Al Jafar, Paceco, Sicily, Italy This property would please any self-respecting royal. It comes with views of the sea, the Aegadian Islands and the village of Erice, has a swimming pool in an ancient walled garden and "furnishings and fittings of the highest standard", according to which offers stays here. The firm explains that Al Jafar has been in the family of the present owners since 1335, with a 1990 restoration project ensuring that "each stone, parapet and crenelation lives on to tell its story". In 2014, the Sicilian Regional Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage listed Moorish Al Jafar as a "building of historical, artistic and architectural importance". Al Jafar villa sleeps eight, with stays from $8,000 a week. Visit Castello di Caprarica, Tricase, Puglia, Italy Castello di Caprarica, built in 1524, comes with dramatic 20-foot-high fortified walls, four storybook towers and lashings of luxury. There's a 14-meter pool, "richly appointed" reception rooms and an al fresco dining terrace. The Thinking Traveller says: "The castle's history is reflected in its enduring stone walls and historic interiors, preserved with care to maintain its authentic character while providing every modern amenity." Castello di Caprarica villa sleeps 22, stays from $10,700 a week. Visit Reschio Hotel, Umbria, Italy It's history with a wow factor. This social-media-igniting castle, nestled amid the rolling green hills of Umbria, has a tower dating back to the year 900 AD. And within, the jewel in the crown of Reschio's room offering —a two-bedroom $4,820-a-night suite spread over five floors with its own terrace. The rest of the hotel, with its vintage furniture, original stonework and inviting pool, is also impressive. Porciano Castle, Tuscany, Italy Follow in the footsteps of Dante with a stay in this incredible 12th-century Tuscan castle, a spellbinding feature of the Casentino Valley that oozes history. The Italian poet, writer, and philosopher is said to have stayed in the tower while in exile from his native Florence for failing to pay a fine in 1302. The story goes that guards at the castle saw soldiers coming up the road to arrest him and gave him warning. Dante left the castle and made his way down the road in disguise. He passed the soldiers en route and when asked by them whether Dante was at the castle, he cleverly replied, "He was there when I left!" Inside, guests will discover original fireplaces and exposed beams. Plus a few mod cons. For example, the tower has an elevator and Wi-Fi. Sleeps nine. Rooms from $1,877. Visit Morfae Castle, Fife, Dundee, Scotland Morfae Castle, a short drive from St. Andrews, has been the historic home of the Earls of Dundee since the 18th century. And what a home. Today, guests can enjoy 1,500 acres of private estate land featuring a private beach, a walled and a wild garden, an outdoor pool and a tennis court. And inside, says there are rooms "straight out of Cluedo", from a billiards room to a ballroom. Sleeps up to 36. Three-night breaks from $20,000. Visit Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland This Scottish castle hotel has it all — a magnificent setting (Ben Nevis is the backdrop and there's a loch out front), a notable restaurant run by Albert and Michel Roux Jr and more luxury than you can shake a jousting lance at. During a trip to Balmoral in 1873, Queen Victoria spent a week at Inverlochy sketching and painting, and she wrote in her diaries: "I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot." Kilmartin Castle, Argyll, Scotland Kilmartin Castle was built in 1550 during the legendary reign of Mary Queen of Scots and in 2025 is one of Scotland's most sought-after castle stays. This is a truly authentic rental, with uneven stone floors and doors chunky enough to withstand a battering ram. But luxury abounds. There are rain showers, standalone copper tubs and sofas so comfy you'll struggle to get up from them (the author speaks from experience). Once you do and you head out, there are breathtaking surrounding landscapes to explore. This 12th-century coastal castle offers a luxurious stay for a prince or princess and their friends in six bedrooms. And there's plenty to explore outside of the cosy interior — 186 miles of National Park coast path, stunning beaches, the wildlife-rich islands of Ramsey, Skomer and Skokholm, and Britain's smallest city, St Davids, which is just seven miles away. Stays from $325. Visit Amberley Castle, West Sussex, England Amberley Castle is so authentic guests might be forgiven for thinking that they really have stepped back in time. The 900-year-old castle is completely enclosed by a 60-foot-high curtain wall, and on the inside are suits of armour, barrel-vaulted ceilings and roaring log fires. Famous guests? Just a few. Amberley Castle has been used exclusively by royalty, politicians and VIPs throughout its history — Henry VIII visited the site in 1526, whilst Queen Elizabeth II visited as a teenager in the 1940s. Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England Bamburgh Castle is one of England's best preserved historic sites, with a history dating back over 1,400 years. It was a Norman stronghold and home to a succession of kings from Henry VI to James I. Guests can immerse themselves in the history of the castle with a stay in Neville Tower or The Clock Tower, and enjoy privileged access to the castle grounds once visitors have left. Linking the castle's restored medieval curtain wall to a vast 13th-century tower and turret, The Clock Tower has been transformed into a unique apartment that sleeps five. Neville Tower, meanwhile, set into the cross wall between the East and West Wards, offers views through its mullioned windows of the castle grounds and the North Sea beyond. Peckforton Castle, Cheshire, England Built in 1851 by politician John Tollemache as a palatial fortified home, Peckforton Castle quickly caught the attention of English Heritage, which deemed it a building of exceptional interest and importance. The images show that the organization was spot on. This exquisite castle looks like it's been warped out of a Disney movie. To add to the fantasyland vibe, entrance is through a portcullis and guests can stay in four-poster bedrooms. Rooms from $170. Visit Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden, Austria Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden is a showstopper. The 16th-century castle hotel boasts beautiful gardens, 105 elegant rooms and suites and views of 10-mile-long Lake Wörth. Guests have access to a private beach club with a freshwater pool and private access to said lake. The hotel has its own marina and guided tours in a V8 motorboat with in-house captain Roberto are available. And after a hard day's, er, cruising, guests can relax in a 3,600-square-meter spa, which boasts a whirlpool, gemstone steam bath, Finnish sauna, panoramic garden sauna, infrared cabin and a dedicated spa cinema. Rooms from $444. Visit Schlosshotel Kronberg, near Frankfurt, Germany Imposing Schlosshotel Kronberg was built in 1893 and was home to Empress Victoria Friedrich. Today, says Small Luxury Hotels, which offers the property in its portfolio, "guests [are] surrounded by many of the empress's original antiques and paintings". Stroll the corridors and you'll discover paintings by Rubens, Titian and Gainsborough, along with gilded Venetian mirrors, antique bronzes and stained-glass windows. And you'll fall asleep beneath chandeliers and amid intricate wallpaper. This enchanting 13th-century chateau, once a home for the Knights of Otocec, is situated on an island in Slovenia's Krka River and blends Gothic Renaissance charm with elegant modern luxury. There are 16 rooms, including "Royal Suites" with river views, lush gardens and a restaurant featuring fresh ingredients from its organic garden. Burned down during the Second World War, it has risen from the ashes in style. From $100,000 a week for 32 people. Visit Kronovall Castle, Skane County, Sweden Kronovall Castle, an hour's drive from the city of Malmo, dates back to 1760, but was rebuilt in the French Baroque style in the 19th century. It's hard to disagree that the renovation was an eye-catching one. A stay here is luxurious, but authentic — much of the castle remains as it was in days gone by, so many of the rooms don't have adjacent bathrooms, although you can book other rooms elsewhere on the estate that do. Rooms from $195. Visit Xara Palace, Malta Step back in time and live the life of a 17th-century Mediterranean aristocrat with a stay at Xara Palace. Inside, you'll be in a world of vaulted ceilings, antique stonework and period furnishings. And outside, the fairytale life continues, as the property is the only hotel located in Mdina, Malta's ancient capital and one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities. Rooms from $260. Visit Château d'Urspelt, Luxembourg This castle in the heart of the Eislek region, about an hour's drive north of Luxembourg city, dates back to the 18th century and was used as a command post and field hospital during the Second World War. It lay abandoned following the liberation of Luxembourg until 2005, when entrepreneur Freddy Lodomez set about restoring it to its former glory. Today, it's a distinguished 57-room hotel with a Nuxe Spa wellness area. Rooms from $200. Visit More about Disney chateau Castle Scotland Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
Bavarian fairy tale castles and French Carnac Megaliths among new UNESCO World Heritage sites
UNESCO has added several new sites to the World Heritage list after reviewing applications that required extensive research and presentation processes. Among them were several European sites, including the famous fairytale castles of Bavaria's King Ludwig II, the megalithic Carnac stones in northwestern France and the Minoan Palatial centres on the Greek island of Crete. At its meeting in Paris, the World Heritage Commission decided to elevate the German Neuschwanstein Castle, Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof and the royal house at Schachen to World Heritage status. The magnificent castles in Upper Bavaria have been attracting numerous tourists for over 140 years. The buildings of King Ludwig II (1845-1886) attracted over 1.7 million visitors last year alone - including many international guests, particularly from the USA and Asian countries. "The inclusion of the palaces on the World Heritage List is an outstanding honour for these impressive places," said the President of the German UNESCO Commission, Maria Böhmer. "They are all architectural masterpieces and bear witness to the artistic imagination, but also the eccentricity of the fairytale king." Germany previously had 54 UNESCO World Heritage Sites - including the old towns of Stralsund and Wismar, Cologne Cathedral, the Wadden Sea and the Roman border fortifications of the Limes. The French Carnac megaliths and the Greek Minoan Palatial centres are both structures from antiquity. The Carnac Stones are a dense collection of megalithic sites near the South coast of Bretagne, dating from from 4500–3300 BC. The Minoan Palatial centres, including Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos and Kydonia, were key hubs of the Bronze Age Minoan civilisation, which flourished between 2800 and 1100 BCE. The World Heritage inscription recognises the sites' historical significance, architectural integrity and the existence of a comprehensive protection and management framework. Although the World Heritage title does not bring any financial support, it does ensure further international attention and cultural prestige. World Heritage status is also accompanied by UNESCO requirements that are intended to benefit the local population in particular, who are burdened by the influx of tourists. Among other things, the organisation requires a concept for effective visitor management in order to better control mass tourism. The consequences of disregarding UNESCO guidelines were demonstrated in 2009 in Dresden's Elbe Valley, where a new bridge led to the withdrawal of World Heritage status. The construction of the so-called Waldschlösschenbrücke bridge was considered to be detrimental to the "outstanding universal value" of the cultural landscape. It was the first time that UNESCO had removed a European World Heritage site from the list. Italy has 60 listed sites, the most of any country. Some notable examples include the historic centres of Rome, Florence, and Naples, the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the Amalfi Coast. Other sites that were added to the World Heritage list this week include three locations used by Cambodia's brutal Khmer Rouge regime as torture and execution sites 50 years ago. The inscription coincided with the 50th anniversary of the rise to power by the communist Khmer Rouge government, which caused the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians through starvation, torture and mass executions during a four-year reign from 1975 to 1979. UNESCO's World Heritage List lists sites considered important to humanity and includes the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India and Cambodia's Angkor archaeological complex.
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Arab News
Jazan's stone castles draw travelers into the past
RIYADH: The stone castles and ancient homes scattered across Jazan stand as silent witnesses to a rich history and architectural legacy spanning generations. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the structures play a crucial role in promoting sustainable tourism and form an integral part of Jazan's tourism and cultural heritage. For generations, Jazan's castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. (SPA) The designs of these castles and stone houses vary widely and visitors are invited to gain insight into the traditional building methods and local materials used. Residents ingeniously utilized available resources to create functional homes tailored to the needs and lifestyles of their communities. For generations, Jazan's castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. (SPA) Far from being mere dwellings, these castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. They hosted countless family gatherings, celebrations and social events, highlighting the strong cohesion of the local community. They remain emblematic of regional identity. Today, the castles and stone houses of Jazan draw history buffs and eco-tourists alike, offering a glimpse of the Kingdom's cultural tapestry and efforts to preserve Jazan's legacy.
Wall Street Journal
19-06-2025
- General
- Wall Street Journal
‘From the Vault: Collecting Tapestries at the Worcester Art Museum' Review: Woven Worlds
Worcester, Mass. Sumptuous, large, heavy and used in centuries past to warm the walls of Europe's great stone castles and cathedrals, tapestries conjure a long-ago world. They tell expansive tales of courtly life, love, war, myth and more in copious details and rich colors. But these once-hardy specimens, made to last many lifetimes, are sensitive to light, temperature and gravity. Often very fragile, they need to rest, lest their condition worsen. Plus, they demand enormous spaces. They spend a lot of time rolled up in storage.
CNN
10-06-2025
- CNN
World's most beautiful castles
What is it about castles that fascinates so many people around the globe? A lot of the allure derives from the history and human drama that played out within the walls, as well as the astonishing architecture that features on so many castles. But they're also romantic and somewhat mystical, places that spark our imagination and conjure visions of long-ago knights in shining armor and powerful warrior queens. 'Because they combine two functions, they are far more interesting than fortresses or palaces,' says Marc Morris, author of 'Castles: Their History and Evolution in Medieval Britain.' 'What makes a castle a castle is that it combines the functions of defense and dwelling — it's a fortification and a stately home rolled into one. Creating a building which is both comfortable and defensible is difficult. The ingenious ways in which castle-designers reconciled this balance is always intriguing.' Although we normally associate castles with European history, it's actually an architectural form found around the world — in nations as varied as Japan and India, Morocco and Mexico. Many are now hubs of living history where modern visitors can watch jousting and other ancient combat forms, listen to medieval music or watch artisans demonstrate the arts, crafts and everyday skills of a thousand years ago. They also make great backdrops for outdoor concerts, films, theater and military performances, or for the on-location filming of movies and television shows. 'With a castle you get not only the stories of sieges, but also stories of the domestic lives of the rich and famous,' says Morris. 'Castles are places were plots were hatched, marriages were consummated, murders carried out, royal babies born, and so on. With castles, you are never short of fascinating things to talk about.' Read on to find out more about 21 of the world's most beautiful castles, fortified homes that are both a feast for the eyes and a time trip back to the bygone age during which they were created. Located about 30 minutes by bullet train west of Osaka and Kobe, Himeji rises above the Inland Sea and is considered the epitome of the Japanese feudal castle. Both a Japanese national treasure and World Heritage Site, the elegant whitewashed structure is also called 'White Heron Castle' because of its resemblance to a great bird taking flight. Completed in the early 17th century, Himeji offers daily guided tours in Japanese and English. This classic medieval castle towers above the island of Rhodes in the Aegean Sea. Originally built as a Byzantine citadel, it was reworked into its present Gothic form by the crusading Knights of St John when Rhodes served as the headquarters of their grand master. During the brief Italian occupation of the Dodecanese Islands, Benito Mussolini used the castle as a holiday home. Its permanent archeological exhibitions feature relics from ancient Greece and the early Christian period. Even though many people consider this Bavarian masterpiece the epitome of a German castle, it's a relatively new creation, erected in the late 1800s at the behest of King Ludwig II. The Bavarian monarch instructed his architects to design something that would reflect both the operas of Richard Wagner and the romantic ideals of the Middle Ages — as much a fantasy as Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, but with the snowcapped Alps as a backdrop and the Bavarian plains spread out beneath. Neuschwanstein is also a cinema darling, having appeared in numerous flicks over the years including 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and 'The Great Escape.' One of the most striking castles in all of Europe, the Alcázar rides a narrow, rocky promontory overlooking the plains of Old Castile in central Spain. Although it started life as a Roman fort, the structure evolved over hundreds of years into a prototypical medieval castle with a deep moat, drawbridge, round guard towers and a robust keep, as well as lavishly decorated royal chambers. Segovia Castle is most renowned as the home of Queen Isabella and powerful Phillip II before the royal court was moved to Madrid. Another offspring of the Romantic movement that swept 19th-century Europe, Pena crowns a hilltop near Sintra, Portugal. Commissioned by King Ferdinand II on the site of a ruined monastery dedicated to the Virgin of Pena, the castle is a flamboyant blend of various historic styles including Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance details. The castle's vivid red-and-yellow color pattern — and its flashy clock tower — endow Pena with a much more playful air than the somber castles found elsewhere in Europe. Erected in the early 17th century by the Mughal ruler of Rajasthan, the Amber Fortress crowns a hilltop near Jaipur, its stout walls reflected in the waters of Maota Lake. The palace complex inside the walls revolves around courtyards flanked by exquisite examples of Rajput architecture like the Maharaja's Apartments, Sukh Niwas (Hall of Pleasure) and Diwan-i-Am (Royal Audience Hall). Although it was once fashionable to ride an elephant up the steep entrance road, visitors are now advised to walk or take a 4x4 taxi. This massive mudbrick structure on the edge of the Sahara has starred in more than a dozen movies and television shows including 'Game of Thrones,' 'Gladiator' and 'The Man Who Would Be King.' The complex features a fortified lower town along the Asif Ounila River — where people still reside — and a partially ruined hilltop citadel. Berber-style guest houses provide accommodation for visitors to a ksar originally built in the 17th century as an overnight stop for caravans traveling between Marrakech and the Sudan. Founded in the waning years of the Viking Age, Kalmar Castle traces its roots to a 12th-century defensive tower overlooking the Kalmar Strait on the Baltic Sea. Four centuries later, King Gustav and his sons transformed Kalmar into a splendid royal residence that (with the help of renovation) looks much the same today as it did in 1592. In addition to exhibitions, children's activities and guided tours, Scandinavia's best-preserved Renaissance castle also features special events like an exhibition of ancient Egyptian artefacts, which is open until November 2025. Guarding the entrance to San Juan Bay, this 16th-century Spanish citadel is one of the most impressive structures in the Caribbean. Protected by a moat (with a drawbridge), stone battlements and rugged sea cliffs, the castle has repelled numerous attacks including several assaults by French pirates and a 1595 strike by Sir Francis Drake. However, it surrendered to US forces after a fierce naval bombardment during the Spanish-American War. Since 1962, El Morro and nearby Castillo San Cristóbal (the largest fort constructed by the Spanish in the western hemisphere) have been part of the San Juan National Historic Site. The grassy 'field of fire' in front of the castle is now immensely popular for picnics and kite flying. Although it's officially called a palace, Istanbul's sprawling Topkapi compound bears all the features of a classic castle: defensible site, fortified walls, powerful gateways and a royal residence occupied by the Ottoman sultans from the late 15th century when it was originally constructed until the 1850s. Converted into a museum when the Ottoman Empire dissolved after World War I, the Topkapi offers extensive gardens, wall-top walks overlooking the Bosphorus, the Ottoman Imperial Harem where the ruler's concubines resided and the Imperial Treasury with its famous emerald-encrusted golden dagger — stolen and eventually retrieved in the 1964 heist movie 'Topkapi.' Perched on an ancient volcanic outcrop at the end of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle is considered the 'most besieged place' in Britain with at least 26 major attacks during its 1,100-year lifespan. From Mary Queen of Scots to Oliver Cromwell and Sir Walter Raleigh, many famous Britons are indelibly linked the ancient edifice. Britain's oldest crown jewels (the Honours of Scotland) are safeguarded inside a castle that also provides an incredibly fitting venue for the annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Music concerts, living history events and weapons demonstrations are among the many events staged throughout the year inside the walls. And bygone military mascots are buried in the castle's Dog Cemetery. Despite its diminutive size, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is well-endowed with castles — more than 50 are spread across an area smaller than London's metro area. The most spectacular of these is Schloss Vianden, poised high above the Our River in northern Luxembourg. Built on the site of an ancient Roman fortress that protected the empire from barbarian invasion, the castle was constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries. Blending aspects of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance design, it remained in royal hands until 1977 when the Grand Duke bequeathed it to the state. Vianden's biggest annual bash is an August medieval festival with dueling knights, troubadours, jugglers and artisans. The Kremlin in Moscow may be better known, but it can't hold a candle to the one in Novgorod when it comes to medieval ambiance. Located 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of St. Petersburg, Novgorod was the seat of a powerful Russian republic from the 11th to 15th century when it was finally overshadowed by Moscow. That power was concentrated inside the detinets or kremlin with its sturdy walls and heavily fortified towers. Among its landmarks today are the Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom with its silver domes, the Novgorod Museum and the Millennium of Russia monument. There's no better example of the transition from the fortified castles of the medieval era to palatial homes of the Renaissance than this enormous chateau in the Loire Valley. Commissioned as a 'hunting lodge' by King François I in the early 16th century, the massive structure (440 rooms) took 28 years to construct. While it's moat, corner towers and keep are purely decorative, the 500-year-old castle has nevertheless protected some real treasures, not least the a magnificent double helix staircase said to have been inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. One of the finest examples of Chinese castle architecture is Shuri, a hilltop fortress and palace complex on the island of Okinawa in Japan. As the royal court of the independent Ryukyu Kingdom for more than 450 years — when the islands were heavily influenced by nearby China — Shuri developed a warren of imperial living quarters, audience halls, religious shrines and an extravagant throne room reminiscent of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The compound was heavily restored after World War II, when Shuri served as the local headquarters for the Imperial Japanese Army. The castle's present-day activities range from a morning gate-opening ritual called Ukejo and multilingual audio tours of the grounds to daily dance performances and nighttime illumination. England has far larger castles (Windsor) and others that are more steeped in history (Tower of London). But none boasts that textbook form of Bodiam Castle in East Sussex. Erected in 1385 as the bastion of a former royal knight, it's the epitome of a medieval castle – thick crenelated walls supported by nine stubby towers, arrayed around a square central courtyard and reached via a wooden walkway (a drawbridge in olden days) across a wide moat. Among its many visitor summer activities are archery sessions, dressing up in medieval costumes, afternoon tea with cakes and scones and guided tours. And just seven miles away is where the landmark Battle of Hastings played out in 1066. The only royal castle in the Americas hovers high above Mexico City. Erected in the late 1700s as a summer house for the viceroy of New Spain, the castle has played many roles since then, including the palace of Emperor Maximillian and an 1847 battle between Mexican troops and invading Americans that features in the 'Marine Corps Hymn' ('From the Halls of Montezuma …'). Nowadays Chapultepec is home to Mexico's National Museum of History. The royal quarters — including the precious Malachite Room and Maximillian's flamboyant bedroom — are included in castle tours. What makes this Slovenian castle so special is its astounding location — Predjama is arrayed across a cave mouth beneath a natural rock arch on the side of a sheer cliff. The lofty setting made it virtually impregnable when it was constructed in the 13th century. Attackers laid siege to Predjama on numerous occasions, but a secret passageway (that still exists today) allowed the defenders to come and go at will. Located 62 kilometers (38 miles) from Ljubljana, the castle and its park-like grounds host the Erasmus Knight's Tournament, a medieval festival and jousting competition staged every July. This island bastion overlooking the Bay of Naples is the oldest castle on our list, tracing its roots to the 5th century BC when Greeks colonized the region. From Roman legionnaires to Napoleon's troops, many armies have occupied Aragonese over the years. The castle now belongs to the family of an Italian lawyer who purchased the fortified island in 1912 and began restoration of its battlements, churches, convents, crypts and gardens. In addition to views that stretch all the way across the bay to Mount Vesuvius, Aragonese Castle boasts outdoor cafes, a bookshop, art exhibits and outdoor movies. Prague's imposing citadel is also one of the few castles anywhere in the world that still boasts real political power — the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic. Among the other landmarks inside its spacious confines are St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, 10 gardens and a row of 16th-century cottages called the Golden Lane that once housed the castle guards. Guided tours, offered during daylight and evening hours, last around three hours. Reportedly damaged during Syria's recently ended civil war, Krak des Chevaliers remains one of the world's great castles — and the only one on our list that has experienced 21st-century conflict. Created in the 12th century by the Knights of St. John, the celebrated Krak is considered the epitome of a crusader castle in the Middle East and one of the greatest statements of medieval military architecture. The structure features two mighty walls separated by a moat on a steep hillside between Homs and the Mediterranean Sea. It's hoped that the end to the fighting in Syria will enable restoration and repair work. This article was first published in 2019. It was updated and republished in June 2025
