From the glistening white towers of feudal Japanese architecture to the Baroque and Gothic
keeps of Eastern Europe, today we look at the Biggest Castles On Earth.
Number 10.
Edinburgh Castle One of the oldest castles in Scotland, the
castle of Edinburgh dates back to the Iron Age in the second century A.D.
The 385 thousand square foot structure was built upon the plug of an extinct volcano,
called Castle Rock, that raises it above the city for which its named.
This placement on Castle Rock has given Edinburgh Castle a spot among Scotland's beloved symbols
due to its resulting iconic skyline.
While it may not be the largest on this list, its history and significance among locals
definitely places it as the greatest Scottish castle.
Number 9.
Citadel of Aleppo In northern Syria, a 160-foot tall structure
towers at the center of the city of Aleppo . With a history dating back to the 3rd millennium
BC, the massive hill this castle rests on was used by a plethora of cultures including
the Ayyubids , Byzantines , Greeks and Mamluks . Identified as originating from an ancient
temple for ancient Mesopotamian storm deity Hadad , this structure would develop over
the years as a fortress for the armies that would pass through Aleppo over the next 5000
years.
The hill first became a defensive post under the rule of Greek leader of the Seleucid Empire
and successor to Alexander the Great — Seleucus . Establishing an acropolis on this ancient
hill in Aleppo , the Greek control lasted until the Romans took the area in 64 BC.
Evidence of the Roman reign is relatively scarce as muslim troops converged on the citadel
in 636 AD, and the years following would be spent in conflict between various islamic
dynasties.
Mongols and central Asian armies would continue to attack the citadel as well and in 1400
AD, the citadel was actually demolished due to combat.
It was then rebuilt and renovated multiple times over by the empires and governments
that came after.
Today the 428,447 square foot citadel is still utilized by rivalling forces in modern strife,
and as such has received massive damage in recent years.
Number 8.
Himeji Castle The legendary japanese complex known as Himeji
Castle is a shining example of classic prototypical feudal architecture.
Also known as the White Egret or White Heron castle, this 83-room white spectacle of a
building resembles a majestic ivory bird taking flight.
Dating back to the year 1333 AD, this castle began as a fort built atop Himeyama hill in
the Hyogo Prefecture before being torn down and rebuilt as a castle a dozen years later.
Further remodeling occurred in 1581 with the construction of a three story tower within
an area of 590 square feet within the castle grounds.
Seemingly stricken with great fortune, the castle is known for surviving a series of
shifts in political climate, the likes of which saw the fall of many other feudal structures.
Local folklore regarding Himeji Castle includes ghost stories, moral-enforcing fables, and
unsettling urban legends.
Perhaps its this supernatural significance that is to thank for the survival of the 446,357
square foot Japanese fortress.
Number 7.
Buda Castle In the city of Budapest sits a monumental
structure illuminated in golden yellow lights that looms above the surrounding urban rooftops.
The Hungarian palace of Buda Castle has been around since 1265, but the baroque structure
admired today wasn't constructed until the late 18th century.
Constructed with beautiful themed rooms, cellars, ballrooms, staircases and halls, the castle
itself is a masterful work of art.
But within these castle grounds are gorgeous individual pieces as well in the form of brilliant
sculptures.
Two pairs of glorious lions guard the gates to an area of the castle called Lions Court.
The statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy is a huge bronze tribute to the Battle of Zenta
in 1697 and adorns the Danube terrace.
A representation of the Turul bird, a mythological symbol of Hungary, displays the nationally-revered
bird atop a tall pillar above the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Hungary.
These pieces of art, combined with the gorgeous architecture of Buda Castle, prepared the
property for its modern purpose as the palace now contains the Budapest History Museum and
Hungarian National Gallery.
This cements the 480 thousand square foot, riverside castle as a historical masterpiece.
Number 6.
Spis [spisz] Castle The eastern European ruins of Spis [spisz]
Castle rise above the nearby town of Spisske Podhradie in the nation of Slovakia.
The grounds of the castle are vastly spacious, encompassing the whole of the hilltop on which
it rests.
A mixture of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles combine to create the regal aesthetic
of this historical hub of eastern Europe.
But the grace of Spis [spisz] Castle took some damage and fell into disrepair when it
caught fire in 1780.
Differing stories tell of the fire originating from either attempts by the Csaky family to
escape rooftop taxation, the mistake of soldiers brewing moonshine, or the unfortunate placement
of natural lightning strike.
Regardless of the reason, the Castle was shortly abandoned thereafter, yet still remained under
Csaky ownership until 1945.
Once procured by Czechoslovakia, and concurrently Slovakia, the castle became a popular archaeological
site in the 20th century, with interesting artifacts such as torture devices being found
within the 532,652 square foot Spis [spisz] Castle.
Number 5.
Hohensalzburg Castle Constructed at the request of the archbishops
of Salzburg under the Holy Roman Empire, the castle known also as the Hohensalzburg Fortress
is one of the best preserved and all around biggest castles across Europe.
Originally erected in 1077, the castle began expanding as the papacy began feuding with
then Emperor Henry IV.
Its now emblematic ring walls and towers were constructed in 1462 and further expansion
continued under the guidance of subsequent archbishops over the next 150 years.
By the end of the 19th century, though, the castle had become more of a tourist attraction
with refurbishing and preservation becoming chief priorities of the Austrian caretakers
overseeing the property.
Today, millions of tourists visit Hohensalzburg Castle for the various attractions within
its grounds.
These include the Salzburg Bull, a large mechanical organ boasting 200 pipes that's played daily
between April and October each year, and the trumpeter tower, which was constructed for
specialized tower keepers in 1465.
Other nearby sights like the Marionette Museum and tours of legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart's hometown only help increase attendance to this lavish, 586,880 square foot stronghold.
Number 4.
Windsor Castle Home to the Queen of England and nine centuries
of royal history, in the English county of Berkshire , lies a castle straight out of
a storybook.
Considered the oldest castle in the world with the actual castle being constructed in
the 11th century, this landmark of the United Kingdom came about after the Norman invasion
led by William the Conqueror.
Since its development, Windsor Castle has hosted the royal family and is the longest-occupied
palace in Europe with Queen Elizabeth II still residing within its walls on weekends.
With a millennium of history, the castle has housed an astonishing 39 separate monarchs!
For centuries the castle remained well preserved, with most all damage being almost immediately
fixed during times of conflict.
But in 1992, a fire broke out and blazed across the fortress for nearly 15 hours straight!
The damage done to the Upper Ward section of this 590 thousand square foot estate required
5 years time and 47 million dollars in repair costs.
Perhaps the most impressive number, however, comes in the 1.5 million gallons of water
used to put out the fire...which, in addition to the fire and smoke damage, unfortunately
led to extensive water damage too!
Number 3.
Prague [prahg] Castle From its humble beginnings as the Church of
the Virgin Mary, the modern day office to the President of the Czech Republic has grown
to a massive 718,609 square feet.
Known now as Prague [prahg] Castle, the religious origins of this citadel were absorbed by the
erection of a palace in the 12th century.
Within the castle grounds, more palaces, churches, basilicas and gardens were added over the
next nine centuries.
One of the most impressive traits of these additions is the inclusion of nearly every
architectural style of the last thousand years!
From the Gothic stylings of the St. Vitus Cathedral to the Romanesque design of the
Basilica of St. George to the Renaissance flavor of the Old Royal Palace, the Prague
[prahg] Castle covers all its bases.
Between the vast expanse of the estate grounds and the various buildings, differing in age
and style, Prague [prahg] Castle blurs the line between a castle and a small city!
Number 2.
Mehrangarh Fort Rising out of the desert like it was sculpted
directly out of the mesa on which it sets, overlooking the city of Jodhpur is the Indian
castle known as Mehrangarh Fort.
Nearly 560 years old, the fort was erected by the 15th century ruler Rao Jodha and has
withstood the test of time as well as combat.
The 874,320 square foot property is known for its intricate carvings, seven prominent
gates, and well-preserved artifacts now on display throughout the fort.
A gallery within proudly hangs paintings of the Marwar style, particularly pieces originating
from the Jodhpur region.
The Mehrangarh Museum contains a collection of the different turbans that gained prevalence
across the history of Rajasthan , representing the Indian state's various communities, festivals
and regions.
This museum also houses priceless treasures in an area called the Daulat Khana , which
preserves among other valuables the remains of the famed ruler Emperor Akbar . There is
also a well-maintained armory equipped with rare swords and firearms of old, decorated
in ivory and jade and studded with precious gems.
Ornate vehicles like the royal howdahs that sat on elephants or the palanquins that servants
would carry can also be found on the grounds.
And these are just the treasures that can be seen!
Who knows what other ancient riches are hidden within this great bastion.
Number 1.
Malbork Castle Founded in the 13th century by German-Catholics
known as the Teutonic Order, this Polish castle is the largest in the world by far.
The castle was built to establish a stronger foundation in the Baltics and would steadily
expand to accommodate the growing number of Teutonic Knights that would accumulate during
the Crusades.
Though widespread European conflict over the years would see the castle sustain foreign
occupation and heavy damage, it would eventually settle as one of the landmarks of Poland following
extensive restoration efforts.
Today, the giant castle estate is an enormous 35 acres, or more than one and a half million
square feet.
That's bigger than the Pentagon and twenty times the size of the White House!