10 MOST BEAUTIFUL CASTLES ON EARTH There are so many amazing castles
around the world, despite the middle ages also being referred to as the Dark ages,
a period association with an overall decline after the fall of the Roman empire,
certain beautiful relics, like medieval castles, have survived through the centuries.
All over Europe, you can find this stronghold, each with its unique features.
Some perched-on top of a mountain, others seemingly floating above water, and some nearly
hidden by the leafy covers of trees, medieval castles had to be both functional, durable,
and easy to the eyes, considering that many were an escape to the royalty and aristocrats.
Around the world, palaces and castles play a compelling role in telling the rich history of
a region. Their fabled halls and sky-high towers reveal the triumphs of their rulers. In addition,
they provide depth architectural lessons thanks to their ornate and timeless designs. Before we
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and enlightening you more on what you didn’t know and will like to know about. Today an in
no particular order we will be riding you on the 10 most beautiful castles on earth.
10. MATSUMOTO CASTLE, JAPAN The origins of this castle date back to the 1540,
when the ogasawara clan started to build a fort to fend off other invaders. Only some years
after its completion, the powerful warlord takes shingles captured the military fortifications.
As the castle switched hands throughout history, its design evolved into a tall,
three-tiered structure with inky black walls and roofs that earned it the nickname the crow castle.
Around 1872, the castle faced possible demolition after developers wanted to build new buildings
and housing complexes on the site. Nevertheless, the residents of matsumoto started a campaign to
save the tower and, eventually, it was acquired by the city government. Fast forward to day,
the matsumoto castle has officially been named a national treasure of Japan and one of the last
standing examples of daimyos castles. 9. BOJNICE CASTLE, SLOVAKIA
According to writing records found at the Zobor Abbey, this Romanesque castle may
have been build as a wooden fort as early as 1113. Stone slowly began to replace the wood,
and by the 12th century, the castle boasted Gothic and Renaissance elements. While he
may not be the first owner of the fortress, king Matthias corvinus of Hungary and Croatia may have
been one of the first to invest in its future. The ruler would often come to the small city
to work on his decrees and dictates them under a Linden tree on the grounds now bearing his name.
It seems construction never ceased, as they continued to renovate its exteriors or add rooms,
until the castle ultimately landed in the hands of count Janis ference palffy.
Taken by the romantic castle filled with his impeccable collection of antiques, tapestries,
and artwork. With its enchanting appearance, Bojnice castle has become one of the most visited
castle in the world, with hundreds of thousands of guest exploring its hallowed halls each year.
8. CHATEAU DE CHENONCEAU, FRANCE Surrounded by manicured formal gardens,
this castle appears as though it’s elegantly floating over the reflective cher River.
The original structure can be traced back to the 11th century, but it was diane de poitiers, the
mistress of Henry II, who commissioned philibert de L'orme to build the castle’s hallmark feature,
the arched bridge. From one powerful woman to another, Catherine de Medici made chenonceau
her favorite residence after the death of the king in 1559. There was never a night where catherine
wasn’t dazzling guest within the castle walls with her grand gallery and impeccably hosting skills.
It is even believed that the first ever fireworks display was held on the grounds to celebrate the
ascension of her son, francis II, to the throne. Notwithstanding, the chateau did suffer extreme
damage during world war II, after the occupation of German troops and Allies bombing its chapel.
In 1951, the moniker family tapped architect bernard voisin to return the gardens and
structure to its majestic state. The breathtaking nature of this castle has called thousands of
visitors every year, and it magnificent history is in the museum of this castle.
7. FREDERIKSBORG CASTLE, DENMARK It is located on three small aisles on
the castle lake, the distinguished Fredericksburg castle was build as a symbol of king Christian IV,
power as ruler of Denmark and Norway. The Renaissance castle was the official royal
residence for more than 100 years before its original structure was destroyed in a fire,
in 1859. With only the chapel and the audience chamber surviving the flames, a nationwide
lottery and collection were held to raise found to rebuild the palace. After the royal family decided
that they would no longer stay at the castle, Fredericksburg reopened in 1878 as the museum
of national history. Today, the world-renowned museum illustrated the history of Denmark through
its impressive collection or portraits, historic paintings, and the interiors of the castle.
6. SCHWERIN CASTLE, GERMANY The origins of this castle date back as
far as 942 when the first traces of a fortress can be found on the place’s dreamy island. It
wasn’t until 1847, when the grand Duke Friedrich II commissioned George Adolf Demmler to renovate
the dated structure, that is when the castle took its final form. The grand Duke instructed Demmler
to design a castle that felt modern and yet celebrated the stunning architecture and heritage
of the past. The historic palace is now one of the most celebrated castles in Germany with 653rooms
including a throne room. It is outfitted with carrara marble and gilded iron doors
and an ancestral gallery. Visitors are invited to explore the castle’s gardens and restaurants
before its magical halls but be carefully, you may run into schwerin’s mischievous ghost,
peter, who is rumored to still reside in the castle.
5. BRAN CASTLE, ROMANIA When talking about medieval castles,
mentioning Romania is a must. Most people will immediately think of Dracula and transylvania.
Many consider bran castle in central Romania directly linked to bran stoner’s character,
however, no direct links to that exist. Bran castle sits atop on a former teutonic knights
stronghold dating back to the early 13th century, but the castle is approximately 2500feet above sea
level and rises from between surrounding trees. It overlooks the picturesque village of bran,
and the several towers and turrets give it a mysterious mood. Nowadays tourists can visit
the castle and wander through the narrow stairways leading to 60 timbered rooms,
interestingly, many of them connected by underground passages. During the 15th century,
Vlad the Impaler ruled over the area and earned a reputation for his brutal torture methods. It’s
believed that the mysterious setting of the castle and Vlad’s bloodlust inspired Stoker’s notorious
tale. Once Transylvania became a part of Romania, the city’s government offered the castle to the
reigning Queen Maria of Romania as a memento of appreciation for her efforts in unifying the two
areas. The castle served as a royal residence until 1993, when it was reopened as a museum.
4. WINDSOR CASTLE, ENGLAND Possibly one of the famous castles
in Europe is Windsor castl in England, which has been the home of British royalty for centuries.
Ever since Henry I ruled over England in the 12th century, this Berkshire palace has been
used by the reigning monarch and therefore has had the longest occupancy fir a palace in Europe.
The castle is surrounded by 13 acres of land and features a fortification, a palace,
and a small town. These days, the castle feature a Georgian and Victorian design based on a medieval
structure, with Gothic features. As you would expect in any home of a monarch, impressive and
renowned art pieces feature withing the castle. Being one of the three official residences of the
Queen, it is fully operational and attracting tourists is not its main purpose. Visitors can
expect to visit state apartment as well as the st George chapel and witness changing of the Guard.
3. VIANDEN CASTLE, LUXEMBOURG In the small European country of Luxembourg,
Nestle between france, Germany, and Belgium, there is one of the largest fortified castles
west to the Rhine none as viaden castle. Even though origins date back to the 10th century,
the castle was steadily built over three centuries between the 11th
and 14th century. Viaden castle is an example of the Romanesque style with semi-circular arches,
even though there were Gothic additions later on. Just like many other medieval castles,
viaden castle lies on top of a hill overlooking the town of viaden.
Until the early 15th century which was the seat of prominent counts of viaden with close connections
to the royal family of france and the German imperial court. At the turn of the 16th century,
the castle was left abandoned after a series of marriages and political actions combined the House
of Viaden and the House of Nassau. Throughout the years, many Kings and two locals attempted to
restore the fallen castle, but it wasn’t until 1977, when the state finally gain ownership,
that it slowly began to be pieced back together. By 1990, the Vianden Castle was restored as
authentically as possible and has since become an European treasure for people to explore.
2. PENA NATIONAL PALACE, PORTUGAL
Influenced by Middle Eastern and European Baroque styles, the pena national palace, represents the
eccentric and colorful flair of 19th-century Romanticism in Portugal. King Ferdinand II
designed the castle on a hill in the Sintra Mountains to be a summer home for the Portuguese
royal family. The vibrant shades decorating the façade indicate the palace’s different sections
such as a red clock tower and restored convent and a yellow New Palace. The palace was frequently
used by the royal family until the Revolution of 1910, when the Portuguese monarchy was overthrown.
After years of disrepair, the castle was finally restored in the 20th century and
later classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, guests can trek up the castle's
lush, hilly landscape to explore the various architecture styles that make up the Pena Palace.
1. ELTZ CASTLE, GERMANY This castle has steadily become one
of the most photographic castle on Instagram with many landscape photographers choosing To capture
it during the eerie hours of the day. The castle sits on a hill surrounded by a thick forest,
adding to the mysterious feel. Located in Rheinland Palatine, known as the moselle
wine region famous for Riesling wine, due to its secluded position, it feels world’s away.
Just like many medieval castle, Eltz castle has seen it’s fair share of conflict but was never
destroyed over the centuries. Interestingly, Eltz family has possession of the castle to this day.
Talking about this gorgeous and magnificent castles is no suprise. Knowing that
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