On the lookout for the very best castles on the earth?
We’ve visited dozens of castles on our journeys to 6 continents (we haven’t made it to Antarctica but, however there are not any castles there, anyway), and we’re at all times amazed by the sheer dimension and great thing about the castles we’ve visited.
In fact, the very best or most stunning citadel on the earth actually depends upon your perspective. On this publish, we’ve included a few of our favourite castles that visually made us say “wow”, and which have a cool historical past or story behind them.
Our greatest castles on the earth checklist contains the most important castles on the earth (both the Prague Fortress or the Windsor Fortress relying on who you’re speaking to), what we expect could also be one of many oldest castles on the earth (Goreme Fortress, Turkey), in addition to cool and weird castles constructed into the encompassing rock just like the mountainside cave masking Predjamski Fortress or castles constructed on Tibetan mountaintops (Potala Palace) and so forth. A few of these are among the many most well-known castles on the earth in addition to some you most likely have by no means heard of earlier than.
What received them on this checklist is that in their very own method, each is a tremendous citadel in its personal proper.
So, earlier than we begin, what precisely defines a citadel? Can a monastery or church be a citadel? Seems, the definition of a citadel is fairly easy. The Merriam Webster dictionary says a citadel is “a big fortified constructing or set of buildings”, “an enormous or imposing home” or “a retreat secure in opposition to intrusion or invasion”.
The Greatest Castles within the World
Right here they’re: our prime 20 most stunning castles on the earth, with stunning citadel pictures to show it.
Schloss Schwerin Fortress, Germany
The Schloss Schwerin Fortress in Germany is about as near a fairy story citadel that you just’re ever prone to discover. It’s surrounded by lakes and forest, and options beautiful towers that attain into the sky which might be topped with golden domes and pinnacles.
Schwerin Fortress was constructed between 1847 and 1857 by Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. It’s stated there was a constructing on the positioning since round 1160. You’ll be able to go to this citadel on the Schwerin Museum, Germany.
Blarney Fortress, Eire
The medieval Blarney Fortress is close to Cork, Eire, and it dates from method again in 1446. It’s one in every of Eire’s most well-known points of interest, and brings in hundreds of tourists who wish to climb to the highest and kiss its well-known Blarney Stone.
Whereas there’s the citadel itself to go to, there’s additionally over 60 acres of gardens, waterways, and grounds to discover.
There’s an admission charge to go to, however it may be effectively price the associated fee in the event you take the time to stroll across the ample grounds and take a look at the citadel’s inside.
Osaka Fortress, Japan
Osaka Fortress is gorgeous in and of itself, but it surely actually involves life throughout cherry blossom season, when the blooms flip the panorama of Osaka Fortress Park beautiful shades of pink.
The citadel is one in every of Japan’s most well-known points of interest, and was in-built 1583 by feudal lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi, whose love of gold is seen within the gold embellished exterior of the citadel.
Uchisar Fortress, Goreme, Turkey
We caught our first peek at this historic citadel in Turkey on a balloon trip over Cappadocia. (See the video right here).
The citadel is made out of strong rock, with rooms and stairways hollowed out of the rock itself. I couldn’t discover any confirmed data on the citadel’s age, however UNESCO says “It’s believed that the primary indicators of monastic exercise in Cappadocia date again to the 4th century at which era small anchorite communities, appearing on the teachings of Basileios the Nice, Bishop of Kayseri, started inhabiting cells hewn within the rock.”
At this time, Uchisar Fortress is basically a crumbling damage, and guests are banned from visiting as a result of threat of collapse. A lot of the rooms on the north facet of the citadel at the moment are used as pigeon homes.
Neuschwanstein Fortress, Germany
Neuschwanstein Fortress seems prefer it was plucked straight out of your favourite fairy story, and it’s simply one of the crucial well-known castles world wide, with up 6,000 individuals visiting a day.
It’s positioned in Bavaria, Germany, and was constructed for King Ludwig II. The title means “new swan stone”, and was named after Wagner’s the Swan Knight.
There are solely 14 rooms at present completed contained in the citadel, they usually’re all on view for guests.
Bonus Observe: Neuschwanstein’s white limestone facade and blue turrets are rumored to the inspiration for the citadel in Disney’s Cinderella.
Lichtenstein Fortress, Germany
Lichtenstein Fortress (Schloss Lichtenstein in German) is privately owned, and operates as a vacationer attraction immediately. It’s positioned within the Swabian Jura of southern Germany, an hour’s drive south of Stuttgart.
The Lichtenstein Fortress is in style with German vacationers, however fewer worldwide vacationers go to nowadays. The present citadel was constructed between 1840 and 1842, nevertheless the unique citadel on the positioning was constructed again round 1200.
When it comes to dimension, Lichtenstein is a comparatively small citadel, nevertheless, with beautiful views of the Echaz Valley and Swabian Alps it greater than makes up for that with its stunning surroundings.
Pena Palace, Portugal
We visited the Pena Palace on a cool spring day a couple of years in the past, and it completely wowed us.
You’ll discover Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena in Portuguese) simply exterior of Lisbon, standing excessive above the municipality of Sintra, Portugal.
It’s a advantageous instance of nineteenth century Romanticism type of structure. It was constructed by King consort Ferdinand II in 1847, and bought by the Portuguese State in 1889. At this time, it’s a museum and vacationer attraction, and we’d say it’s effectively price a go to.
Tip! Don’t overlook to take a look at the expansive grounds once you go to. It makes an ideal place for a picnic!
Prague Fortress, Czech Republic
The Prague Fortress is regarded as the biggest historic citadel on the earth, at about 70,000 sq. meters (750,000 sq. toes).
The citadel has a protracted historical past, courting again to the ninth century, and it has been utilized by kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia. At this time, the citadel is the official workplace of the President of the Czech Republic.
Bonus tip! Don’t count on to be alone once you go to. With 1.8 million guests yearly you’ll have loads of firm.
Mont Saint Michel, France
The Mont Saint Michel is one France’s most beautiful sights. Mont Saint Michel is a medieval monastery that’s perched excessive on prime of a small island.
The island is positioned a few kilometer off the coast, and dates again to 709.
At this time, Mont Saint Michel is one in every of France’s most iconic vacationer points of interest.
Matsumoto Fortress, Japan
Matsumoto Fortress is a simple day journey from Tokyo. A Nationwide Treasure of Japan, and the present construction dates again to 1594.
The Matsumoto Fortress is often known as the crow citadel due to its black exterior.
It’s a fantastic place, and an particularly sensible choice for visiting Japan with youngsters.
Eilean Donan Fortress, Scotland
The thirteenth century Eilean Donan is likely one of the most iconic and visited castles within the Highlands of Scotland. It’s located on an island on the level the place three nice sea lochs meet, making for some beautiful views.
Need to keep on the grounds on the Eilean Donan? It’s doable to remain on website on the Eilean Donan Cottage solely a stones throw from the traditional citadel.
Egeskov Fortress, Denmark
Egeskov Fortress opened in 1554, and it’s Europe’s greatest preserved Renaissance water citadel. It’s positioned close to Kværndrup, within the south of the island of Funen, Denmark.
There’s lots to get pleasure from right here, from touring the citadel and grounds, to having fun with exhibitions and occasions involving a number of wonderful native meals and drinks.
Windsor Fortress, England
Windsor Fortress is exclusive in that it’s a at present energetic royal residence. The truth is, it’s the oldest and largest inhabited citadel on the earth. The unique citadel was constructed within the eleventh century, and it’s nonetheless doable to go to. Should you’re fortunate, you might even catch the Queen in residence!
Duart Fortress, Scotland
Duart Fortress (Caisteal Dhubhairt in Scottish Gaelic) is a citadel perched on a craggy cliff on the Isle of Mull, off the west coast of Scotland. The citadel dates again to the thirteenth century.
It was introduced again from damage in 1911, and to today, it’s nonetheless privately owned by the MacLean clan.
Swallow’s Nest, Ukraine
Swallow’s Nest is a small citadel perched precariously over the Crimean Sea.
It overlooks the spa city of Gaspra. Whereas it seems like a citadel architecturally, it’s not a citadel within the truest kind, as a result of it wasn’t constructed to guard its occupants.
A big earthquake in 1927 closed the citadel for near 40 years due to injury to the underlying rock. At this time, it homes an Italian restaurant.
Peleș Fortress, Romania
Peleș Fortress is a Neo-Renaissance citadel in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains. It was constructed between 1873 and 1914 for King Carol I.
It was initially used as a summer season residence, and immediately it operates as a museum. Its extravagant seems led to it being featured within the 2009 film The Brothers Bloom in addition to many TV motion pictures.
Potala Palace, Tibet
Admittedly, Tibet isn’t the primary place you consider when attempting to image a citadel.
That stated, the Potala Palace has a protracted historical past, and was the residence of the Dalai Lama till the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India throughout the 1959 Tibetan rebellion. At this time, it’s a museum, and on the UNESCO World Heritage Listing.
It’s positioned in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Area, China.
Predjamski Fortress, Slovenia
One of many world’s most dramatic castles, Predjama Fortress is a Renaissance citadel nestled inside a cave mouth in south-central Slovenia. It’s within the village of Predjama, and was constructed across the twelfth century.
In the summertime, you possibly can go to the caves beneath the citadel.
Dundas Fortress or Craig-E-Clare, New York
Dundas Fortress is the lone citadel from the USA on this checklist. It was constructed between 1915 and 1924, and is positioned in Roscoe, New York, and was modeled after Dundas Fortress. Additionally it is referred to as Craig-E-Clare.
Sadly, it’s at present deserted, and has a protracted historical past of misfortune. The unique proprietor, Ralph Wurts-Dundas, died in 1922 because the citadel was being completed. His spouse Josephine Wurts-Dundas, was dedicated to a sanitarium quickly after. It was inherited by their daughter, who was swindled out of an excessive amount of cash by the caretakers of the citadel. She was admitted to a psychological establishment herself.
After that, the Dundas Fortress went by means of numerous homeowners, together with a time as a kids’s summer season camp. It was purchased by a Masonic chapter as a retreat, but it surely was deserted by the Masons (who nonetheless personal the constructing).
Arolsen Fortress, Germany
Arolsen Fortress was constructed within the early 1700s, in Unhealthy Arolsen, Hesse, Germany.
The baroque-style citadel remains to be inhabited by Wittekind, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont and his household.
The citadel is now a museum with every day excursions.
Bride on the Steps of Cathedral Se, Porto, Portugal
Whereas the Cathedral Se in Porto, Portugal doesn’t technically rely as a citadel (because it wasn’t constructed to guard its occupants), it’s so stunning, and one in every of our favourite buildings in Portugal, that we’ve included it on this checklist.
Cathedral Se is positioned within the historic metropolis middle of Porto, and it’s nonetheless a working church, with mass celebrated at 11 am day-after-day.
Should you’re fortunate, you’ll even see a marriage in progress, just like the day we did!
Tip! Are you fortunate sufficient to have visited one in every of these wonderful castles? We’re at all times in search of methods to recollect our travels. We realized way back that if we took a memento from each place we’ve visited across the globe we’d now have a home stuffed with fridge magnets and t-shirts!
As an alternative, we like to protect our journey reminiscences in different methods. There are quite a lot of wonderful issues you are able to do along with your journey pics, together with creating customized, picture themed smartphone covers, HD steel prints, and framed collages.
Would you go to any of those castles? Tell us within the feedback.
