From Game of Thrones to Lord of the Rings, castles are a permanent part of the fantasy canon. Five of the most incredible castles are featured here.
Although we all know fairytales don’t exist (unless, of course, you’re Kate Middleton), there will always be something magical and intriguing about castles. Whether it is their incredible history, grandeur or stunning architecture, they remain one of the top tourist destinations throughout the world. Here are five of the world’s most incredible castles:
Swallow’s Nest Castle
No, it’s not in Westeros. The Swallow’s Nest Castle lies perched atop the Aurora Cliff located in the Crimean peninsula in southern Ukraine.
Though compact in size (it measures about 66×33 feet), the castle is one of Crimea’s most popular attractions. Russian architect Leonid Sherwood designed the Neo-Gothic structure, which was built between 1911 and 1912. The two-level castle boasts a foyer, two bedrooms, a guest room and a beautiful tower.
Source: Ukraine
Source: Ukraine Trek
Source: Ukraine Trek
Incredible Castles: Spiš Castle
The Spiš Castle, one of Europe’s largest castles in terms of area, was built in 1209, destroyed soon after, and then reconstructed during the 15th century. In 1780, a fire destroyed the fortress once again, leaving the structure in ruins.
Located in Slovakia, Spiš Castle was originally built to become the political, cultural and administrative center within the Kingdom of Hungary. These days, it attracts thousands of tourists and is a location for many movie sets.
Source: Flickr
Source: The Lone Rover
Chateau de Villandry
Located in France, the Chateau de Villandry is undeniably one of the most picturesque castles in the world, thanks, in part, to its intricate, exquisite gardens. Jean le Breton, one of François I’s finance ministers, built the chateau in true Renaissance style, completing the project in 1536.
The Villandry contains three distinct garden styles: a formal water garden, a two-part ornamental garden and a massive kitchen garden. The site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Source: Deviant Art
Source: Love These Pics
Bodiam Castle in East Sussex
Source: SAS China
Bodiam Castle, located in East Sussex, England, invokes fairytale castles like never before with its spiral staircases and moated exterior. Sir Edward Dalyngrigge built the castle in 1385 to defend the area from the French in the Hundred Years’ War.
These days, the castle is open to the public and draws numerous tourists each year. The current gatehouse is the castle’s original wooden portcullis, and is a rarity all of its own.
Source: Travel Via UK
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Incredible Castles: Eltz Castle
Few, if any, castles are more picturesque than the Eltz Castle.
Nestled deep in the hills above the Moselle River in Germany, Eltz Castle is different from other castles in that it has belonged to the same family for more than eight centuries, and remains remarkably unscathed from battles and war. When it was built, Eltz Castle held a strategically important position along one of the German Empire’s most important trading routes.
Source: Wikipedia
Source: Blah Bloh Blog
Honorable Mentions
While some castles are more impressive than others, they all seem to offer something special—a glimpse into another time period we can only imagine.
Big or small, crumbling or perfectly preserved, there are endless picturesque, beautiful castles that exist throughout the world. Here are some incredible castles that didn’t make the list, but still deserve to be mentioned:
Chateau De Chillon
Chateau De Chambord
Hohenschwangau Castle
Mont Saint-Michel
Bojnice Castle
