Middle Ages were a challenging period in Europe ‘s History filled with wars and
turmoil in Europe, but they have produced one of the finest architectures in the world.
Until today there are towns and villages which have maintained their medieval architecture
which seduces millions of tourists from all over the world.
Would you like to see how medieval churches, castles and walls in Europe looked like? Stop
looking for them and discover with us the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe
Number one. Rothenburg – Germany.
Rothenburg, located in Bavaria, Germany, is a beautiful medieval town and an important part
of the German Romantic Road. If you like taking pictures, this city is like a heaven for you,
every corner is beautiful. If you want to enjoy one of the best Christmas markets in Germany,
come here in December. The must-see place to visit is the Town Hall which combines both
gothic and renaissance styles. From its tower you will find amazing views over the Old Town.
Its walls, built in 13th century, are one of the main tourist spots as well as its old town full
of picturesque houses. Do you wonder how they used to torture people in Europe centuries ago?
Visit the fascinating Medieval Crime Museum.
Number two. Český Krumlov - Czech Republic.
Český Krumlov offers you a unique opportunity to experience what the medieval towns
between 14th and 17th century used to look like. Its architecture combines Gothic, Renaissance
and Baroque styles. The most popular tourist attraction in the city is Český Krumlov Castle
which dates to 1240. It is surrounded by the beautiful gardens in the late baroque style
with a lovely Cascade fountain. The theater from 1767, which you can find inside the castle,
is one of the most beautiful baroque castles in the world. Visit also St. Vitus Church,
impressive gothic church and burial place of important Bohemian families.
The historic town is full of museums, galleries, restaurants and cafes,
you will love it. For those who like sport we recommend rafting down the Vltava River. Do not
forget to taste famous Czech beer, it has been brewed in Český Krumlov since the 14th century.
Number three. Siena – Italy.
Siena, one of the most important cities in medieval Europe, is worldwide famous for its
main square - Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares. The must-see place to
visit is also Siena Cathedral, at the time of its construction the largest basilica in the world.
Inside you can find a beautiful Piccolomini Library full of renaissance frescos. If you
are not scared of heights, visit 102 m tall Mangia Tower, second tallest tower in Italy.
In medieval times, Siena used to be an important banking center
and today it is home to the oldest bank in the world operating since 1472.
It also houses the University of Siena which is one of the oldest universities in the world.
Number four. Mdina – Malta.
Mdina, nicknamed “the noble city“ as it used to be a home of many nobles,
is a fortified medieval town full of narrow streets, beautiful churches, od palaces and
gracious houses. This town is very old - its history dates to 8th century BC.
Walking through Mdina is like stepping back in time. The entrance to the city is through
baroque-style Mdina Gate. Continue to St Paul’s Cathedral, which is one of the finest in Europe.
However, it is not the original church, the original church was destroyed in the earthquake.
Continue to Palazzo Santa Sofia, which contains an extraordinary
collection of art and antiques. Originally built as a family residence, it is open to
public and you can visit it from Tuesday to Saturday. Mdina is a popular filming location,
too – during the first series of Games of Thrones, Mdina was used as the location of King’s Landing.
Number five. Edinburgh – UK.
Edinburgh, renowned for its heritage, culture, and festivals, has been for nearly 7 centuries
the capital of Scotland. Start by sightseeing in the historic Old Town
and New Town. Considering that New Town was built mainly during 18th and 19th century,
it is not so new anymore. Number 1 tourist attraction is Edinburgh Castle standing on
the Castle rock which humans occupy since the Iron age. St Margaret's Chapel, built in 12th century,
which is part of the castle, is the oldest building in Edinburgh.
For those who love nature and beautiful views, Arthur’s Seat is a place to go. It is a dormant
volcano and one of the highest points in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is the world’s festival
city. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the world’s largest international arts festival. Does Edinburg
seem familiar to you? You surely have seen Harry Potter movies; they were filmed here.
Number six. Banská Štiavnica – Slovakia.
Banská Štiavnica is an unbelievably beautiful medieval town located in the middle of the Slovak
Republic. It used to be the main producer of silver and gold during Middle Ages.
Thanks to its rich past, the town is full of beautiful buildings, churches,
palaces and mining houses which you can admire as you walk up or down because in Banská Štiavnica
you never walk straight. The must-see attraction is the Calvary Mount with its upper church with
two towers. It is a popular pilgrimage place and is accessible all year long for free.
When you get to Banská Štiavnica, visit also the historical Trinity Square surrounded by
beautiful mining houses in renaissance style. You can also visit some of the old mines but take on
some warm clothes, even in summer it is very cold inside. The town’s nickname is “Europe’s Eldorado”
as gold was sought after by adventurers from Europe and Turkey, as well as by robber barons.
Number seven. Rhodes – Greece.
Rhodes is the medieval town famous for Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World. It does not matter if you look for beaches, restaurants, bars or ancient sites,
Rhodes offers everything. The old town of Rhodes is especially beautiful thanks to the mix of East
and West depending on who was the ruler of the island, you can find Christian churches as well as
mosques there. Do not miss the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, which used to be
a Byzantine citadel, then a palace and now it is a museum. The most famous beach close to the Rhodes
is Feliraki beach which is located only 10 km away. The local restaurants are incredibly good
and if you like seafood, the fish is fresh and dishes like octopus and squid are delicious.
Did you know that the most famous Olympics champion comes from Rhodes?
2160 years ago, Leonidas of Rhodes was champion of three-foot races for our consecutive Olympiads.
Number eight. Ronda – Spain.
Ronda is a beautiful Spanish medieval town known mainly for its impressive bridge
named “Puente nuevo” built in 1802. Its construction took 42 years and is 100 meters high.
Ronda served as an inspiration for such artists as Ernest Hemingway or Orson Welles who spent a
lot of time in Ronda and wrote about it which helped to increase popularity of this town.
Visit the old town and Plaza de Toros, once a year a bullfighting arena, and a museum.
It used to play a crucial role in development of modern bullfighting.
If you look for a romantic place for your lunch or dinner, go to Plazza del Socorro and do not
pass the city gate - Puerta de Almocábar which during Muslim times served as the main entrance to
the city. During the Spanish Civil War Ronda was heavily affected and many people left the city.
Number nine. Dubrovnik – Croatia.
Named also “Pearl of the Adriatic“, the city was found in the 7th century
and was occupied or ruled by French forces as well as Venetians and the Austrian empire,
each of which have left their mark. Dubrovnik is the most famous for its walls which are running
2 kilometers around the city and are between 4 and 6 meters thick. Another favorite place to
visit is The Assumption Cathedral, where you can find a Triptych of "Ascension of Mary" by Titian.
Visit also the St. Lawrence Fortress, important during resistance against Venetians.
The most beautiful beach is “Banje“ beach, situated not far away from the Old Town.
Rent also sea kayak guided tour and paddle around the medieval walls. You will enjoy
the views of the medieval walls and the city from different perspective. The restaurants
are exquisite with amazing fish and sea food. Dubrovnik has become incredibly popular during
the last years thanks to the TV series Games of Thrones where it was named “King’s landing“.
Number ten. Colmar – France.
Are you curious about how a medieval French town used to look like?
Look no further than the sustained city of Colmar. Because it managed to avoid all
the wars that damaged other French cities, the old town has remained untouched for centuries.
When you visit the old town, you will fall in love with its timber-framed houses and flower-lined
canals. Take a boat ride in the district named “little Venice” which is crossed by canals of the
river Lauch. The must-see attraction in Colmar is Unterlinden Museum where you can find famous
Isenheim Altarpiece and a vast collection of local and international artworkds. Colmar is renowned
for its cuisine and has many exquisite restaurants so do not hesitate to taste local food and wines.
A sculptor Bartholdi, father of the famous Statue of Liberty, comes from Colmar.
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