Beautiful names of castles in the world. Fairy tale architecture: the most beautiful castles in the world

This fairytale castle is a historical possession of the Prussian kings and German emperors. It was built during the Middle Ages, in the 11th century, then was completely destroyed in 1423 and rebuilt in 1461. The castle is located on the top of the Hohenzollern mountain, about 50 kilometers south of Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg.

Castle Howard, England

Despite the fact that this building looks like a castle, Howard is actually just luxury home is the private residence of the Howard family, who have lived there for over 300 years. This house is located in North Yorkshire and is one of the largest residences in the UK. Its construction began at the end of the 17th century and lasted about 15 years. Castle surround fairy gardens, as well as endless spacious meadows.

Alcazar in Segovia, Spain

Segovia Castle, located in central Spain, was originally (in the 12th century) used as a fortress. Outwardly, the Alcazar resembles the bow of a ship - unique feature which distinguishes it from other castles. It served as the inspiration for many castles in Walt Disney films.

Himeji Castle, Japan

Himeji Castle, also known as White Heron Castle, is a magnificent white complex of 83 wooden buildings. One of the castle's most extraordinary defenses is the spiral labyrinth with many dead ends leading to the main watchtower. The gates and courtyard of the castle are built in such a way that people entering there get lost. The castle was built in the 14th century and is located in the city of Kansai, Japan.

Prague Castle, Czech Republic

Prague Castle is one of the largest and oldest castles in the world, and is also a symbol of the capital of the Czech Republic. The castle is 570 meters long and 130 meters wide. Every architectural style of the last millennium is represented in this building, from Gothic and Romanesque to Baroque. The construction of the very first buildings of the complex dates back to the beginning of the 9th century.

Peles Castle, Romania

located in picturesque place on Carpathian mountains in Romania, Peles Castle is a truly fabulous building. Construction began in 1873. Workers from different countries. Queen Elizabeth of Romania said: “The Italians were masons, the Romanians built terraces, the gypsies worked as laborers. Albanians and Greeks laid stones, Germans and Hungarians were carpenters. The Turks burned bricks. Designed by Poles, stone carvers were Czechs. The French drew, and the British measured…” Presumably, workers speaking 14 languages ​​took part in the construction.

Chambord Castle, France

It is known that Chambord was used only as a hunting lodge. The view of this castle is quite impressive. Interestingly, the location of this castle was chosen by King Francis I, as he wanted to be closer to his beloved lady, Claude Roen, whose palace was next door. The huge castle has 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces and 84 staircases. This is the most big castle in the Loire Valley in France.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

The castle, whose reconstruction began in 1896, was designed by Christian Janck, commissioned by the Bavarian king Ludwig II, who was declared insane before the castle was completed. This explains a lot. The architecture, location and size of Neuschwanstein are impressive. Situated on a jagged hill in the southwest of Bavaria, today the castle is one of the most visited places by tourists.

Corfe Castle, England

Despite the fact that the ruins are all that remains of Corfe Castle, its fortifications still make a deep impression. The castle, located in the county of Dorset on the Isle of Purbeck, was built in the 9th century. However, there is a possibility that Korfe could have been built much earlier, and could also serve as a defensive structure in the fight against the Romans. The part of the building that can be seen today was reconstructed in the 11th century. Two centuries later, the fortress began to be used as a repository of royal jewels, as well as a prison.

Matsumoto Castle. Japan

The wonderful Matsumoto Castle is located in the city of Matsumoto near Tokyo. The castle was built in 1504 and is the National Treasure of Japan. The castle was inhabited until the middle of the 19th century. In 1868, during the reign of Emperor Meiji, the building was restored. However, due to the failure of the new government of Japan, it was decided to demolish the castle and sell the wood and iron from which it was built. In those days, this fate befell many castles. Matsumoto rescued locals by buying it out.

Eltz Castle, Germany

Eltz is another of Germany's outstanding castles. This stunning medieval building in southwestern Germany is still owned by the same family, who have been living here for over 800 years. Currently, the castle is owned by Count Karl von Eltz, a representative of the 33rd generation of the family.

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Built in the 13th century during the Viking Age, today Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland's most famous landmarks. The castle was probably named after Bishop Donan, who came to Scotland in the 6th century. The castle is located on an island surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands. The fortress was rebuilt at least 4 times. For about 200 years, the castle lay in ruins (from the 18th to the 20th century). In 1932 it was restored and since then it has been open to visitors from all over the world.

Ancient castles have always attracted the attention of people, because they are shrouded in the mysteries of the Middle Ages, they smell damp smells and dust, and from generation to generation indulge amazing stories. In our "old" Europe, there are most of these mysterious places, and if you suddenly want to go on a trip to European countries, do not forget to look into one of these castles, many of which, according to legend, are the door to other worlds.

The castle is a real greeting from the past and an opportunity to plunge into a fairy tale. What castles are the most famous?

We offer you the top 10 most famous castles in the world:

1. Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is located in Southwestern Bavaria (Germany) near the town of Füssen. It is, in fact, a figment of the imagination of the monarch Ludwig II, who decided in 1869 to lower the rock plateau and create unique creation architecture. By the way, the name of the castle is translated as "New Swan Stone".

The construction lasted for 17 years, it took a fabulous amount (about 6 million gold marks), but under Ludwig it was never completed, although, of course, to this day it is the one that its monarch invented. The throne room is incredibly beautiful, which is more like a museum with many works of art. The Grotto also attracts attention - a room located on the third floor and decorated in the form fairy cave with a waterfall.

2. Castell del Monte

Castle Castel del Monte is located in southern Italy in the city of Andria. The name translates literally as "castle on the mountain", and this building was built at the behest of the Emperor of the Roman Empire, Frederick II. And although this castle is considered one of the most famous, it does not have the characteristic features of castles.

There was no bridge, no rampart, no moat. In addition, there are no pantries, storages and stables. The purpose of this building is still unknown. Some historians considered the castle a hunting residence, while others argue that bold experiments were carried out here to transform metals.

Later, the castle was abandoned almost completely and was only occasionally used as a refuge for noble families, shepherds, or bandits. But in 1966 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

3. Castle Frankenstein.

This unique castle is located near the small German town of Darmstadt, in Hesse. And this place is notable for the fact that a slightly eccentric alchemist and Dr. Joseph Conrad Dippel, who called himself von Frankenstein (yes, the same Frankenstein about which many films were made), once lived and worked here.

In the castle, he carried out his crazy experiments and made horrific experiments. So, during experiments with nitroglycerin, he destroyed one of the castle towers, and some accused the doctor of stealing corpses from the cemetery.

According to rumors, Joseph even tried to resurrect the dead (although this is probably not a rumor at all). One way or another, everyone was afraid of the doctor. By the way, the castle was originally built as a defensive structure. Today, only one tower remains intact, but the atmosphere is still ominous.

4. Chateau d'If

If Castle was originally built as a naval fortress in 1524-1531. It was planned to defend the castle from attacks from the sea. The building was erected literally in haste, and that is why it looks very carelessly. But there was not a single attack, and later it was decided to use the castle not quite for its intended purpose.

Its location was ideal for keeping criminals, so in 1580 it was decided to organize a state prison here. Various politicians, Huguenots, leaders of the Paris Commune and the most dangerous criminals served their sentences in it.

But this castle became famous and popular thanks to Alexandre Dumas and his immortal work The Count of Monte Cristo. The hero of this novel, Edmond Dantes, known as the prisoner of the Iron Mask, was in the Chateau d'If.

5. Monteagudo Castle

Monteagudo Castle is located in Italy on top of a limestone rock from which it got its name. The village of the same name sprawled nearby. The first mention of this place dates back to 1078, but most likely the castle was built earlier.

This is a unique structure that was erected on an uneven surface, but at the same time it is incredibly durable and strong. A staircase leads to the lower level (there are two in total). Surely everyone has seen this place, since its main feature is a huge sculpture called "Heart of Jesus", which is a figure of Jesus with outstretched arms, 14 meters high. This is a copy of the originally erected statue, but quite successful.

6 Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle was built in the distant 21st century by order of William the Conqueror. Initially, this structure was a building made of wood and earth and was built for defense. Then it was decided to strengthen the castle with stone. This building has seen so many battles and battles, as no other fortress has ever seen.

And that is why its appearance is constantly changing. According to the legends, one of the towers of the castle contained prisoners captured during the Hundred Years War. And in one of the parts of the castle, namely in the house of Sir Fulk Greville, who died at the hands of his own servant, the ghost of the owner of the building roams, according to tourists. One way or another, but the history of this place is very gloomy.

7. Pena Castle-Palace

Pena Castle is located in Portugal. It is located on a hilltop above the city of Sintra. It's just amazing beautiful building, which used to be the summer residence of the royal nobility. Initially, there was an abandoned monastery, but then a chic palace appeared, which later became not only a visiting card of Portugal, but also a real one. national monument culture.

According to one of the legends, it was in this place that the appearance of the Virgin Mary took place, and that is why the temple was built here. But later the land was acquired by Prince Ferdinand. And even today, there is something to see in the castle, as its decoration excites the imagination and makes you go back in time.

8. White Heron Castle

White Heron Castle is not only incredibly beautiful, but also in its own way. unique place. The construction consists of 83 buildings, and almost all of them, oddly enough, are built of wood. The construction of the castle began in the distant XIV century near the foot of Mount Hime. And he got the name for the smooth lines that look like the open wings of a heron.

Around the castle is a chic garden, which used to be big maze with many dead ends, designed to confuse enemies who decide to attack the inhabitants. The building passed from one samurai clan to another, and eventually became a local treasure. By the way, you may have seen the castle in one of the James Bond films, in which it was used as a secret ninja school.

9. Bran Castle

Bran Castle is located in Romania, about 30 kilometers from the city of Brasov and 20 kilometers from Rasnov. If you believe the legends, then Vlad Dracula, known to this day, who was considered by many to be a vampire and a cruel killer, once lived in this castle. Like it or not - it is not clear, but the history of the castle is really interesting.

Initially, the building was used to protect the city. By the way, his rooms formed a labyrinth, and only "their" knew how to get out of here. There were many owners of the castle, they sometimes changed one after another.

But as for Vlad the Impaler Dracula, it is unclear whether he was here. Yes, a couple of times Dracula probably stayed at the castle. And others claim that he was imprisoned in local dungeons and subjected to severe torture. And yet the place became popular thanks to Vlad.

10 Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle attracts millions of tourists for a reason. It is considered one of the most exquisite castles. This building is located in Ireland, and it was erected in 1228 on the site of an Anglo-Norman house. For a long time the owners of the castle were the Burgos family, but then a discord arose between the knight John de Burgh and Sir Richard Bingham.

The feud lasted for a long time, but then the parties came to an agreement, but Richard Bingham eventually became the owner. He fortified the castle and began to develop it. Then the owners began to replace each other, and in 1910 Noel Huggard turned the castle into a luxury hotel. By the way, he is such to this day and is included in the list of the most the best hotels Ireland.

Be sure to take a trip and see at least one famous castle with your own eyes. You definitely won't regret it!

The castles that have survived to our times are attractive and interesting, like memories of the past of our ancestors. They remind us of fateful historical events, mysterious legends and great romantic stories. Of all the variety and magnificence of castle buildings on the planet, it is difficult to choose only 10 of the most beautiful, but we tried. So, the most beautiful castles in the world:

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Mont Saint Michel, France

One of the most famous sights of France, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the small island of Saint-Michel. The abbey of the same name and located on the island was built in the form of a medieval castle. Its two large towers are designed to protect the entrance. This sanctuary is also known as a symbol of the Allied landings in Normandy during World War II.

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Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

The Romanesque Revival castle was built in the 19th century on a steep hill above small village Hohenschwangau in the southwest of Bavaria. The castle represents Ludwig II of Bavaria's tribute to Richard Wagner. More than 1.3 million tourists visit this attraction every year. The castle has featured in several films and has become an inspiration for the authors of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.

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Hohensalzburg, Austria

Considered one of the largest medieval castles throughout Europe. Hohensalzburg stands on a small 506 m high hill in Salzburg, Austria. At the end of the 19th century, this beautiful castle was restored and after that it became the main mecca for tourists in Salzburg, along with the Salzburg funicular, which was opened in 1892 and connects the city and the castle hill. Today Hohensalzburg is one of the best preserved castles.

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Conwy, Wales

UNESCO considers Conwy to be one of the "finest examples of late 12th and early 14th century military architecture in Europe" and is classified by the organization as a World Heritage Site. The medieval fortress was built by Edward I at the time when the conquest of Wales was going on. Conwy played an important role in several wars, and in 1399 became a temporary home for Richard II.

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Prague Castle, Czech Republic

According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest old castle in the world. Its history dates back to the 9th century, and it is currently the official residence of the Czech president. Prague Castle was the center of power for the kings of Bohemia, the Holy Roman Emperors and the presidents of Czechoslovakia. In a special Crown Komor in one of the cathedrals inside the castle, Czech coronation regalia are kept.

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Bran, Romania

Bran Castle, which is located in Romania near the city of Brasov, is a national monument fanned by the world-famous legend of Dracula. In fact, this is the home of the main character in Bram Stoker's Dracula. This castle is currently open to tourists as a museum displaying paintings and furniture from the collection of Queen Mary. Tourists can explore the interior individually or together with a tour.

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Castle in Osaka, Japan

Osaka Castle can be called one of the most famous Japanese landmarks. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who built the castle, wanted it to become the center of a unified Japan under Toyotomi's rule. However, after his death, the troops of the Tokugawa shogun attacked the castle and destroyed the Toyotomi dynasty in 1615. Oskai Castle was restored by Hidetado Tokugawa in the 1620s, and his main tower was struck by lightning in 1665 and burned down. It was renovated much later, in 1931.

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Neo-Renaissance Peles Castle was built between 1873 and 1914. Located in the Carpathian Mountains near Sinai in Romania on the existing medieval route between Transylvania and Wallachia. It was erected by order of Charles I, whose inauguration took place in 1883. Now it is one of the most visited attractions in Romania.

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Versailles, France

The Palace of Versailles is located in a wealthy suburb of Paris, 20 kilometers southwest of the capital. The royal court, located in Versailles, has been the center of all political power in France since 1682, when the king Louis XIV came here from Paris, while the royal family was forced to go to Paris in October 1789 after the outbreak of the French Revolution. Versailles is known throughout the world not only for its beauty, but also for historical significance, being a symbol of the absolute monarchy of pre-revolutionary France.

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Chillon Castle, Switzerland

Chateau de Chillon (Chilleon Castle) is an island castle, stands on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is located in the eastern part of the lake on a cliff between Montreux and Villeneuve, overlooking the Alpine Rhone Valley. Thus, the landscape surrounding the castle is truly extraordinarily beautiful, making Château de Chillon one of the most visited castles in Switzerland and Europe.

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Conclusion

List of the most beautiful castles the world has come to an end. Yes, this is only a small part of those castles that could be included in this list, but we had to choose, and this choice was not easy. These were Most beautiful castles peace. TOP 10. Thank you for your attention.

Today you have a unique opportunity to make virtual journey To 10 most beautiful castles in the world. I'm sure their history, interesting architecture and many mysterious legends that walk around the walls of castles will surely surprise you and will be remembered for a long time. What can I say, if only the names of the castles evoke fantasy!

Egret Castle

The incredibly beautiful white heron castle in Japan has a very unusual architecture not at all similar to the European one. Built on a flat mountain top, it consists of 83 buildings. Himeji - and this is exactly what the name of the castle sounds like in Japanese - a real fortress. The main citadel of the castle of the white heron is protected by a labyrinth of paths. It is almost impossible for unwanted "guests" to get out of there - the paths lead the invaders to a dead end, where they are attacked from above!

Schönbrunn, Austria

The most interesting part of Schönbrunn Castle in Vienna, built by the Habsburg dynasty, is the "Roman ruins" of the 18th century. Their wonderful architecture imitates the ancient Roman. Therefore, walking this part of the castle is very interesting - as if you find yourself in ancient Rome.

Wartburg, Germany

This castle in Thuringia is about a thousand years old. The castle is often associated with the name of Martin Luther. Luther is said to have translated the Bible into German here. And no wonder, because the old castle really evokes thoughts about morality, harmony, peace.

Beaumaris, Wales

The name of this castle in translation sounds like “Beautiful swamp”. Architecturally, Beaumaris is considered the most ideal castle in the UK. It was built by order of Edward II. Construction lasted for 35 years, starting in 1295. However, due to lack of funds, it remained unfinished.

Chapultepec, Mexico

Towering over the capital of Mexico is a magnificent castle - Chapultepec. Its rich mansions are considered the most luxurious in all North America. Now Chapultepec - historical Museum and was once home to the royal family. There was a castle and an observatory, and a military academy.

Castle of King Ludwig (Neuschwanstein), Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle - the plan of the Bavarian king Ludwig II. From the walls of the castle offers a view that no other castle in the world can boast of! There is no more photographed place in Germany than Neuschwanstein. The king conceived it as a mountain haven: there is a gatehouse, a citadel, and a knight's house with a square tower. From the German language, the name of the castle sounds like "New Swan Stone".

The image of the palace of Ludwig II was often used in Disney cartoons - Neuschwanstein is so beautiful!

Chambord, France

The beautiful Chambord, which amazes tourists from all over the world with its enormous size, was built just as hunting lodge. Here the king could take a break from the daily worries of state. Medieval French and classical Italian architecture are closely intertwined in the castle. Chambord is one of the most famous castles in the world.

Chenonceaux, France

Chenonceau Castle, which, like a bridge, crosses the Cher River, was built in the 16th century. by order of Catherine Briconnet, and since then its history has been closely associated with female names. To the east are the lush gardens once cared for by Diane de Poitiers, to the west are the gardens of Catherine de Medici.

Stayed in the castle and Mary Stuart. In the XVIII century. here lived Madame Dupin, who glorified this place by inviting teachers here - famous writers Voltaire and Rousseau - for her son.

Alhambra castle, Spain

A castle with red walls appeared in Spain in the 9th century. "Red Fortress" - this is how the name of the palace is translated. Surprisingly, for a long time the castle was abandoned, or served as barracks for Naoleon's troops. And only in 1870 justice resumed - the Alhambra was taken under protection and declared national treasure.

Prague Castle, Czech Republic

Residence of the Czech rulers. According to the Guinness Book of Records, it is the largest castle in the world. Its length is 570 m, and its width is 130 m. There are churches, residences, towers, and even stables here. Prague Castle is especially beautiful at night, by the light of lanterns.

The Prague Castle houses the royal regalia of Bohemia. According to legend, if a usurper rules the country, the regalia will bring him death within a year. This is exactly what happened to Reinhard Heydrich during World War II. He died a year after he ascended the throne...