World famous castles: 20 of the most beautiful and famous castles

There are thousands of castles built in different styles all over the world. Although each of them was designed according to the culture of the people who lived there, the common goal of all of them was to protect the important lands and people of the period. These structures, which were sturdily built because their purpose was protection, survive in all their splendor even today. In this article that we have prepared for you, we have listed the most beautiful and famous castles in the world. Here are the world famous castles.

1. Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle, located in southern Germany, near the Austrian border, was built in a location far from the public at the behest of Ludwig II. Ironically, the construction of the castle was completed in 1886, 7 weeks after the death of Ludwig II. Neuschwanstein Castle, which has stood in all its glory ever since, is visited by an average of one million tourists annually. This makes it one of the most visited castles in Europe. In addition, the castle holds the title of being one of the most photographed structures in the world.

2. Alcazar of Segovia

Alcazar of Segovia is an imposing castle located in Segovia, Spain. The castle, which was built on the rocks above the meeting point of two rivers, near the Guadarrama Mountains, was first used for military purposes, but later it was used as a royal palace. It now serves as a museum and military archive building. The Alcazar, named after the Arab palace (fortress), is also the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Snow White castle.

3. Balmoral Castle

Of course, Balmoral is also included in the list of world famous castles. Balmoral Castle has been one of the official residences of the British royal family since the time of Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, who loved this place during their visit in 1842, built Balmoral Castle between 1853 and 1856. Some parts of Balmoral, which has been transformed into a massive structure with additions made by other members of the royal family over the years, can be visited. using audio guides today.

4. Bojnice Castle

Bojnice Castle dates back to the 12th century and is considered one of the most romantic castles in Slovakia. The castle, which has been altered several times over the years, took its present form in the late 19th century when Count Jean Balvy renovated the castle. The castle is known to have existed since at least 1113, and it is now part of the National Museum of Slovakia.

5. Mont-Saint-Michel Castle

Mont Saint-Michel is an island in the Normandy region of France. What makes this island special is its castle that dominates the skyline. Today, millions of tourists flock to the area to visit the historic castle, abbey, and ancient streets of Mont Saint-Michel.

6. Bodiam Castle

Bodiam is a historic fort built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngridge and is currently managed by the National Trust. The rectangular castle has a large moat and an inner courtyard. The castle’s living quarters are built into the walls surrounding the open courtyard. Bodiam Castle, one of the most visited structures in the UK, hosts many events and activities throughout the year.

7. Jianzi Castle

Built in the Dzong architecture style, Gyantse Castle is one of the best preserved castles in Tibet to date. Built on a large rock above the city of Gyantse around 1380, the castle still maintains its ancient spirit, although it has been gradually restored to this day.

8. Schwerin Castle

Schwerin Castle is a picturesque castle located in Schwerin, Germany. It is believed that the construction of the castle, which gives the impression of being floating on water, began as early as the 10th century. However, the castle, which was restored several times after fires and wars, began to take its present form from the 1840s. Schwerin Castle is now used as the seat of the local government and as a museum displaying a wealth of art.

9. Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993, dates back to 1609. The castle with its striking white exterior is also called Shirasagi-jo (White Heron Castle) because of this appearance. The building, which came under the auspices of the state in 1869, has received millions of tourists throughout the year. While the view of Himeji city can be wonderfully seen from the top floor of the castle, the castle takes on a completely different spirit with the famous Japanese cherry blossoms blooming in mid-April.

10. Castel del Monte

Castel del Monte in Italy is a medieval castle built by Frederick II as a hunting lodge and later used as a seat of power. The castle, which has excellent defensive strength with its octagonal towers and thick limestone walls, today hosts thousands of tourists every year. Visitors can tour all floors and the castle garden.

11. Coburg Castle

The former residence of the Dukes of Saxe-Joburg-Gotha, Coburg Castle is one of the largest medieval castle complexes in Germany. Located on a hill overlooking the town of Coburg in Upper Franconia, the first traces of the castle are found in a document dated 1056. You can visit the Heated Stone Room and Memorial Room in Coburg Castle, which now functions as a museum, and see the work of Tilman Riemenschneider, one of the most valuable sculptors of the century Fifteenth.

12. Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle was built as a fortress in 1119 by Robert de Crevecourt. By 1278, other elements had been added to the plan and it began to be used as a royal palace for King Edward I. Leeds, one of the most beautiful castles in England, has now been transformed into an audio and guided museum for schools and groups.

13. Carcassonne Castle

The city of Carcassonne, located in the south of France, in an important strategic location between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, has been inhabited since ancient Roman times. A definite must-see in the city is Carcassonne Castle, with its 3-kilometer wall and 52 watchtowers. While the castle can be visited with audio tours today, the cathedral built by the Trencavels is also open to visitors.

14. Qalaat Al Hosn

Krak des Chevaliers, the main residence of the Knights Hospitaller in the 12th and 13th centuries, is one of the most striking examples of military architecture of the Crusader era. The castle is located on a 650-meter-high hill on the road from Antakya to Beirut, and is considered one of the best preserved Crusader castles.

15. Castle of Hope

The Castle of Hope in Cape Town is known as the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa. Built by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) between 1666 and 1679 as a naval supply station, the building now houses a museum. Instead of the original door facing the sea, visitors are admitted through a large door with the coat of arms of the Netherlands, built in 1682.

16. Chapultepec Castle

Chapultepec Castle is an 18th-century building located in Chapultepec Park, Mexico. Although its original construction began in 1785, it took its final form with the independence of Mexico. Renovated in 1864 as the home of Habsburg Emperor Maximilian, the castle became the residence of Mexican chiefs years later. It now houses the National Museum of Mexico.

17. Hohensalzburg Castle

Hohensalzburg Castle, located in Salzburg, Austria, is one of the largest surviving castles. Ancient weapons, Roman coins, and historical musical instruments are on display in the castle, which now operates as a museum. The castle, where torture chambers can be visited as well as several state rooms, was built in 1077 by Prince Gebhard of Helfenstein I.

18. The Shirvanshahs’ castle

The Shirvanshahs Castle, located in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is a 15th-century building. The citadel, built by ruler Shirvanshah I Khalilullah and his son Farouk, was an important complex for both royal and religious authorities. However, its construction was not completed due to the death of Farouk in the war in 1501.

19. Edinburgh Castle

An iconic building, Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world. Archaeologists have found strong evidence of human life on the rock on which the castle sits, as early as 900 BC, in the late Bronze Age. The castle played an important defensive role in the following centuries, and became a distinctive part of Scottish history.

20. Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome was built as the mausoleum of Hadrian, the 14th Emperor of Rome. Although it is not known exactly when its construction began, many sources date the construction of Castel Sant’Angelo between AD 123 and 139. The castle, which has been used for various purposes including a prison over the years, now hosts a museum.

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