What is a castle? If you want to hear one answer, you are in the wrong place! A castle is a multitude of facets, each of which overshadows the other… It is a beautiful, ancient and impregnable structure from the walls of which princesses looked out for their princes. And stones that remember the warmth of every summer day and the cold kiss of winter… for several centuries in a row. And, yes, a castle is a story of the past, vividly told in the present. Also – memory, beauty, grandeur, walls covered with moss, secret stories and high towers!
Ancient castles — this is history, a living legacy of the past for you and me! We invite you on a journey around the world, from one castle to another! The very best castles in the world are here!
1. Alcazar of Segovia, Segovia, Spain
The most remarkable, amazing and historically rich Spanish monument is the Alcazar of Segovia. The first stones of the fortress were laid by the Moors in the 11th century, but even earlier this place was chosen for their military fortifications by the ancient Romans. Over time, the stone palace grew and turned into a beautiful residence of the royal family. The modern look of the building was given by King Philip II, who added pointed towers to the overall picture of the fortress. Nowadays, crowds of tourists visit the Alcazar to touch history and feel the breath of the past. The stone fortress has been turned into a museum and amazes its guests with eleven magnificent halls.
2. Aragonese Castle, Italy, Ischia
An ancient landmark of the island of Ischia, the Aragonese Castle impresses with its views, beauty, shape and secrets. The castle has united the past and the present, surprise and happiness, grandeur and beauty. It is this amazing castle, the first stone of which was laid in 474 BC, that is the most visited landmark in Italy. The walls of the castle seem to burst out of the rock, gracefully cutting through the sky. The views from the castle-museum are truly charming, but the castle is no less beautiful inside. Ancient frescoes, majestic temples, amazing gardens, an ancient prison, an art gallery - everything demands attention! Hurry, let's go!
3. Guaita Tower, San Marino
Prima Torre or Guaita Tower is the pride of San Marino. The first and oldest tower literally grew out of the mountain and hangs over the abyss. It was built in the 11th century for defensive purposes, but later it served as a prison. The tower is surrounded by two rings of strong walls, which served as a reliable protection for the watchtower. Today, the Guaita Tower is the pride of the city and a meeting place for many tourists. The views from the tower are incomparable to anything, and on a sunny day, Italy is clearly visible. Inside the fortress-tower is the historical museum of San Marino. Tourists can also hear loud shots, blank charges, from the bastions of the fortress.
4. Pena Palace, Portugal, Sintra
The medieval romance that permeates the Pena Palace in Portugal blows the mind and excites the soul. This is the most beautiful, unusual and fabulously beautiful palace in the world. The palace has become a cultural icon of Portugal, which hundreds of tourists come to see every day. The exterior of the colorful palace, with bright facades, is a mix of Islamic motifs, neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance. Inside, the Pena Palace, which is also the summer residence of the kings, is generously filled with original elements, rich decoration and majestic beauty. Copper utensils are frozen in the kitchen, a tapestry and a large bed are sleeping in the bedroom, a red pouf awaits in the hall ... and the green softness of the garden alleys ... everything awaits guests.
5. Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
What can I say about the Potala Palace in Tibet? It is the highest palace-castle in the world! It is the emblem and symbol of Tibet and Lhasa! It is a unique monument of ancient Tibetan architecture! This palace is on the UNESCO World Heritage List... All this is wonderful, but a simple tourist does not see the external pomp and titles, he sees the internal beauty, energy and feels the mysterious attraction of the Potala. The halls of the palace tell exciting stories through drawings, the libraries are full of ancient sacred texts, items made of precious stones remember the touch of the master, and sacrificial utensils make you think and turn your eyes to the frescoes on the walls. Here is history, religion and beliefs... here is the soul of the Buddhist religion.
6. Azay-le-Rideau Castle, near Tours, France
In the beautiful Loire Valley, among the calm water surface and luxurious park, the most visited by tourists castle - Azay-le-Rideau is harmoniously integrated. The creation of the French Renaissance period seems to have come from the pages of an old fairy tale, because the harmony, warmth and tranquility reigning around the castle surprise both the first time and after the 10th visit. Tourists are required to visit the romantic castle so loudly described by Honore de Balzac in his work. The great genius of the pen called the castle Azay-le-Rideau "a diamond set in the frame of the Indre River." This diamond still attracts guests today, surprises with its chic appearance and unique museum exhibits hidden inside. It is necessary to visit to understand and feel ...
7. Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Balmoral Castle is a young Scottish castle. The building is no more than 150 years old, but it is known throughout the country, because it is here that the royal family spends their summer holidays. Only one tower can boast of resemblance to a real castle, everything else is more reminiscent of a summer house. The architectural style of the castle is very energetic, truly baronial. Every detail is thought out and masterfully executed, and the beauty of the mountain landscape, river and forest complement the overall picture of exquisite beauty.
8. Bran Castle, Bran, Romania
It all began at the end of the 14th century, when the inhabitants of Brasov built the impregnable Bran Castle on a high cliff. For building the castle, the city's inhabitants were exempted from taxes for many centuries, and the city received an excellent strategic defensive facility. The story would have stopped there, but the castle-fort of unusual beauty was chosen by Vlad Tepes, aka Dracula. Thus, Dracula's house-castle became the most popular tourist destination in Transylvania. Crowds of people, driven by the terrible legend of vampires, come here to hear terrifying screams in the labyrinths of the castle and smell the fresh smell of blood... And is this really so - decide for yourself. But Romania receives a decent income while the chilling legend is alive.
9. Vallo Castle, Zealand Island, Denmark
Vallo Castle in Denmark is a beauty of architectural forms and an interior fullness, unusual for this kind of buildings. The fact is that for many centuries in a row the castle belonged exclusively to women... either the king's wife, or his mistress, or the queen herself. This feature was reflected both in the building itself and in the rumors surrounding the castle. Femininity, warmth, compassion are felt around the castle today. And the interior decoration is hidden from prying eyes, because women still live in the castle. The fortress is externally made of red brick with two massive towers of different shapes. One tower is round, and the second is square. In addition, two unusual towers are surrounded by many smaller towers, with attics and spires. Such beauty!
10. Hohenzollern Castle, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
It's time to visit the clouds! That's what tourists say when they get closer to the castle of unearthly beauty in Germany. Hohenzollern Castle was built in the 11th century on top of the Swabian Albs. The castle in the clouds easily follows the contours of the mountain, rising higher and higher into the sky. A beautiful architectural ensemble, rich history and the beauty of the views are what tourists come here for. Today, Hohenzollern Castle is included in all top selections of the most beautiful castles in the world. It is open to visitors all year round. Tourists are not allowed to photograph the rich decoration of the castle, but they can visit the dungeon, admire rare cultural masterpieces and enjoy the beauty of German history, which is told here by every stone of the cloud castle.
11. Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland
Dublin Castle is rightfully considered one of the largest architectural complexes of the Irish capital. Huge, stately, a little incomprehensible, but always attractive castle tells the history of the country from early times to the present. The external appearance of the castle is not quite ordinary, because each era of history added new styles to the facade of the building. Therefore, tourists are greeted by a round tower, bright buildings, sharp spires and rectangular buildings. Dublin Castle is often used by the city authorities to hold official events. The external unusualness of the castle is replaced by the internal filling, which exactly repeats the life of the royal family. Exquisite, chic, beautiful and expensive ... everything on the tour!
12. Bodiam Castle, Robertsbridge, England
Ah Bodiam, beautiful Bodiam! The still waters of the Rother River, in silent respect and admiration, look at the majestic castle with its mighty walls and round towers. Bodiam Castle is a fairly young castle, it has barely turned 500 years old. But floating on the water and drowning in parkland, the handsome castle attracts glances and romantic thoughts. A huge giant, slightly gray and with traces of old age, surrounded by greenery, water and one bridge - an amazing and exciting landscape ... in East Sussex (England).
13. Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan
Osaka Castle is the largest samurai castle, with a total area of one square kilometer, the history of which began in 1585. This grandiose structure changed the course of Japanese history. Under the castle is a huge stone embankment hiding three underground floors of the castle. The five outer floors look especially magnificent during the cherry blossom season. The internal beauty of the castle is slightly inferior to the external, because almost nothing remains of the former ancient grandeur. But there is an elevator, many museum exhibits and modernized exhibitions with video accompaniment. In Osaka, the connection between the past and the present is clearly visible, which makes a visit to the castle amazing and unforgettable.
14. Conwy Castle, Conwy, UK
In northern Wales there is a medieval castle of stunning beauty - Conwy Castle. The stone giant is the creation of King Edward the First. The long walls of the castle are decorated with high towers, of which there are as many as 21! All the towers are located perfectly precisely and there are equal distances between them, which gives the castle a finished and neat look. The original mission of the huge castle was defensive, for this purpose 400 firing positions were designed. Today this beauty is open to tourists and connoisseurs of the beautiful heritage of the past. Only in such a place can you clearly hear how history tells, and not people.
15. Corfe Castle, Dorset, England
The most famous castle in the history of England was the mystical and mysterious Corfe Castle. The mystery, supplemented by the beauty of the architecture, which the residents of the village of Corfe observe every day, has such a power that once you see the ruins of the castle, you involuntarily want to touch its secrets again and again. The castle is known not only for its stormy bloody history and the many victims tortured here, no, today it still continues its terrible life. The spirits of the dead make strange rustling sounds and groans that are clearly heard at night. Don't believe me? Check it out yourself!
16. Löwenburg Castle, Kassel, Germany
The magnificent Löwenburg Castle in Kassel (Germany) is an aristocrat to the last stone. To create this architectural masterpiece, it was necessary to go to England to get acquainted with the local romantic castles. The end of the 17th century in Germany, when the castle was built, was a period of admiration for ancient romantic buildings, which was effectively reflected in every centimeter of the castle architecture. It is this admiration for the Middle Ages that was reflected in the design of the Lion Castle, as Löwenburg is often called today. The neo-Gothic style of the castle is truly beautiful and magnificent, attracting admiring glances and crowds of tourists. All rooms of the castle are open for inspection, only the tomb of Wilhelm IX, located on the territory of Löwenburg, is closed to visitors. Grandeur, beauty, style .... it has everything!
17. Linderhof Castle, Ettal, Germany
The Bavarian King Ludwig II was fond of legends, beautiful fairy tales and romantic stories. This passion, from admiration, grew into construction and found an outlet in the architecture of Linderhof Castle. The magical castle, imbued with a fairy-tale spirit, amazes with the artistry of the landscape and elegance. It is graceful, pompous, rich and magnificent! Tourists called the king's creation a small Versailles surrounded by the Alps and luxurious garden alleys. Each hall is the work of a master, the color palette is a scattering of rich shades, the atmosphere is a journey into a fairy tale. Of the three castles of Ludwig II, only Linderhof was completed during the life of the king and became his favorite place of solitude... Luxurious and truly fabulous solitude!
18. Marienburg Castle, Marienburg, Poland
A medieval brick giant, Marienburg Castle, a standard of architectural Gothic. The unique and largest castle in the world occupies an area of 20 hectares! Three majestic castles in a single ensemble, complemented by thick walls and bold architectural solutions - this is Marienburg Castle. The variety of elements used in the decor is limitless, and the elegance of each of them makes you forget all the words ... and silently admire the power and beauty of the huge castle in Poland. Today, the handsome giant Marienburg welcomes guests as a museum and pleases them with a variety of events, interesting fights and its 700-year-long history.
19. Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto, Japan
Matsumoto Castle in Japan recently celebrated 500 years of existence. Being one of the most beautiful and unusual castles in the country, this building amazes with its external forms and internal secrets. The Japanese themselves call the ancient building poetically - Raven Castle. The name Fukami is also found. Matsumoto Castle is located in a marshy area, which is surprising for Japan. The magnificent building is surrounded by a charming garden of sakura and chrysanthemums. Inside, you can clearly hear the breath of the past, you can see traces of antiquity and it still smells of wood. Thanks to wooden pillars, the castle-fortress managed to be perfectly preserved, survived a fire, attacks and an earthquake. Today, it happily welcomes guests!
20. Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany
Want to get into a fairy tale for a while? Then go to Germany to see the fairy tale castle Neuschwanstein. It is not just fabulously beautiful, but really resembles a toy castle of Sleeping Beauty. All the architecture is so amazing that this castle has become a favorite place for tourists from all over the world. A long queue of tourists is not an obstacle, because inside the castle is imbued with theatrical scenes, Wagner's melodies, royal wealth and impeccable taste. Each hall is a separate story in which a fairy tale comes to life and reality recedes. The enchanting, mysterious and fairy tale castle invites you on a journey!
21. Peles Castle, near the town of Sinaia, Romania
Romania never ceases to delight tourists, because Peles Castle is no less striking than the famous Dracula's castle. Wild natural beauty, a naughty mountain river and an elegant castle - an idyll in Sinaia. Peles is rightfully considered the diamond in the crown of Eastern European castles and the pride of kings. But no one can say what kind of a miracle castle it is. It is a unique mixture of asymmetrical buildings, carved wood, German neo-Renaissance, German Baroque and Rococo. Also, a distinct trace in the architecture of the castle was left by Turkish and Spanish motifs. The official opening of the castle took place in 1883. Beauty that is worth seeing!
22. Chateau Frontenac, Quebec, Canada
I would like to say "the medieval Frontenac Castle", but it is not so. The Frontenac Castle is very reminiscent of a medieval castle, but this beautiful building in Quebec dates back to the 19th century. Despite this, the young castle has become a national treasure of Canada and a luxury hotel that welcomes distinguished guests. Monarchs and kings, high delegations and star guests often spend their time here. The castle-hotel is a bright representative of the elegant "château" style, which is highly valued throughout the world.
23. Himeji Castle, Himeji, Japan
Himeji Castle is the best example of Japanese castle architecture. The beautiful castle has been preserved almost untouched, so it is a unique example of Japanese ancient castles, which is visited annually by thousands of tourists. For the beauty and lightness of its forms, travelers have nicknamed it the White Heron Castle. For the beauty of its snow-white wooden walls, unique garden, and curved roof lines, the castle was awarded the title of the Pearl of Japan and included in the UNESCO list of cultural values. The castle's scenery has repeatedly served as a filming location for famous films. Himeji Castle is a treasure that must be visited!
24. Hohenschwangau Castle, Schwangau, Germany
The history of Hohenschwangau Castle goes back to ancient times, when a family of knights built a small castle with beautiful views from the castle rock. Years passed, the castle turned into ruins... One day, King Maximilian II discovered this paradise and was struck by the beauty of this place. Thus began the reconstruction of the castle and its second wind. The majestic castle is made in the neo-Gothic style, filled with rich decoration and enchants with beautiful forms. Beauty, grace, style - this is all that tourists can say when visiting the dream castle of Hohenschwangau in Bavaria.
25. Chateau de Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France
A striking example of the Renaissance, the Chambord castle has a romantic aura and masterpiece architecture. It is recognized all over the world, admired and sought after. The great Leonardo da Vinci, who developed the plans for the construction of the castle, left his mark on the history of the building. The author did not manage to see the grandiose plan, he died at the beginning of construction. Sparkling in the rays of the rising sun, Chambord happily welcomes guests and shows them many towers, twisted steps, spacious halls, a rare art gallery and rich decoration of the chambers. In addition, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List!
26. Chenonceau Castle, Chenonceau, France
The Château de Chenonceau has existed for over 700 years and throughout its history, this magnificent monument of French architecture has belonged to women of noble and royal blood. People often call Chenonceau the Ladies' Château. The walls of this luxurious giant have remembered more than one love story, thanks to which a visit to the castle will turn into a romantic journey filled with a rich interior. The Ladies' Château is the most luxurious and expensive, in terms of decor, of all the Loire castles! The handsome Chenonceau easily spreads out over the quiet water, near calm alleys and luxurious gardens. The sight is amazing!
27. Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland
Ashford Castle is a bright diamond of Ireland. Situated in the arms of the Emerald Isle, the castle attracts with its unimaginable beauty and beckons with an unusual combination of practicality and lightness. Today, the magnificent castle receives distinguished guests as a luxury hotel, and also happily welcomes tourists, playing the role of a cultural landmark of the country. A real 2-in-1! And even more! Pomp, scope, grandeur, traces of history, rich modernity ... a bright future!
28. Castelvecchio, Verona, Italy
Verona knows how to surprise its guests! Just look at the Castelvecchio castle, the largest monument in the city. The castle dates back to the distant 14th century, when it was not just a beautiful architectural monument, but also a barracks and a weapons depot. As the years passed, the strong walls of the castle turned into the residence of monarchs. And only in our days, the military fortress resembles a museum with amazing and very rare exhibits. Painting, sculpture, jewelry, glassware, the marble sarcophagus of St. Sergius of Caesarea and the original of the unique Scaliger Arch - the best and most valuable exhibits from all over the world are collected here.
29. Castel dell'Ovo, Naples, Italy
Castel dell'Ovo is a real stone ship, from which the history of Naples began. It was on the site of the castle that the first stone of the city was laid, or maybe not a stone, but an egg. Local legend tells of a mysterious egg that held up the walls of the fortress. Whatever the origin of this mysterious castle, it is ancient, and therefore it is doubly interesting to visit an ancient landmark of an original shape. Tourists note the beauty of the sunsets in the castle and the calming beating of the waves, the romantic atmosphere around and the virtuoso play of street musicians. Yes, it is magnificent!
30. Mont Saint-Michel, Mont Saint-Michel, France
The melodic name of the castle in France, Mont Saint-Michel, makes you think of unearthly beauty and charming views. And it really is! The castle-abbey was built by order of the Archangel Michael, according to local legend, so that believers could pray to God in the middle of a rocky island. The island-fortress is still developing, becoming a beautiful architectural monument of each generation. The walls of the castle will tell you about different eras in the history of the country, and the views will allow you to enjoy nature and hear its voice, in the singing of birds and the music of the waves.
31. Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic
Prague Castle is a fortress-castle founded in the 9th century. The complex is so large that it resembles a whole city! It is not surprising that Prague Castle is the largest fortress not only in the Czech Republic, but also in the whole world. The fortress is located on a hill of the Vltava River. The uniqueness of the ancient building is not only in its beauty and large size, no, it is also the current historical and political center of the country. In ancient times, there was the residence of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, then the Czech kings, and today it is the abode of the President of the Czech Republic. Therefore, Prague Castle is the most visited and popular attraction in Prague. There is something to see, where to walk and accumulate positive emotions.
32. Chillon Castle, Swiss Riviera
Picturesque Lake Geneva has many surprises in store, the most striking of which is the formidable Chillon Castle. The history of the most famous Scottish castle began in the 12th century, when the first stone was laid on a protruding rock in the middle of the lake. Over time, the castle turned into a secure prison. This page of the history of Chillon Castle is beautifully described in George Byron's work "The Prisoner of Chillon". Today, tourists strive to visit the unusual castle on the water and see the unique painting of the chapel dating back to the 14th century, the wine cellar, the armory, the prison and the dining room of Chatelain.
33. Bernstein Castle, Austria
The long history of Bernstein Castle is eventful, it has changed owners so many times that neither their exact number nor the name of the person who built it remains. It was first mentioned in documents in 860, and in the 13th century it served as a border fortress. It was built at the point where the borders of Austria, Bohemia and Hungary met, so the leaders of these countries competed for possession of the castle.
Bernstein is a wonderful example of bastion architecture. It has an oval perimeter, very thick, almost fortress-like walls with rare turrets and narrow windows. The courtyard now has a beautiful garden. The nature around Bernstein is untouched, and there is a golf course and a famous golf club nearby - this game is an important reason why guests come to the castle. In 1953, the castle was converted into a hotel, which it remains to this day. The owners of the castle have managed to preserve its authenticity - this applies not only to the walls, but also to the interiors and furniture, which are also very old. Entering Bernstein Castle, a person immediately feels like he has found himself in the era of knights.
34. Foix Castle, France
This castle, located in the south of France, in the Pyrenees, once belonged to the famous family of the Counts of Foix. Its history begins in 987. In the will of Count Roger I of Carcassonne from 1002, the castle was given to his youngest son Bernard. In 1034, it became the center of government of the County of Foix, leaving a noticeable mark in medieval military history. From the 15th century, the castle housed the residence of the governor of this region, while at the same time it continued to perform defensive functions during the religious wars. Until the Great French Revolution, a garrison was quartered in the castle.
The governors here were the Count de Treville, known from The Three Musketeers, and the future minister of Louis XVI, Marshal Segur. In 1930, the Ariège department museum was located here, which has exhibits dedicated to the prehistoric, Gallo-Roman and medieval eras on this land.
35. Black Falcon Castle, France
This remarkable castle is located in the French department of Indre-et-Loire, in the town of Montbazon and is the oldest surviving stone defensive structure in France. The fortress was built in the period 991-996 by order of the Count of Anjou Fulk Nerra, then several more defensive structures were added to it. Despite its long and not the most peaceful history, this castle is well preserved, and since 2003 it has been open to visitors. The castle was given its modern outlines during the Middle Ages - in the 12th century, the feudal lords of Montbazon who owned it.
The dominant feature of the complex is the 28-meter-high quadrangular donjon, in addition, there is a small tower fortified by a number of projections, a massive fence and a closed courtyard. In 1791, the period of decline of this castle began with the collapse of the small tower and the adjacent dungeons, and 7 years later, lightning struck the donjon. Incidentally, the cracks running along its eastern wall are evidence of this episode.
36. Langeais Castle, France
In 992, the construction of the castle of Langeais began, which was originally a wooden donjon built on a mound. This place is located 24 kilometers from Tours, the owner of these lands was the first Count of Blois. Unlike other capital donjons, this one was built in a hurry, but its walls were 1.5 meters thick. Then came one war after another. For example, during the Hundred Years' War, the castle was captured by the English many times. Finally, they agreed to leave it in 1428, but on the condition that the castle be destroyed, leaving only the donjon.
King Louis XI ordered the castle to be restored in 1465, after which it was owned by many monarchs. Anne of Brittany visited Langeais. When Charles-François Moisan acquired the castle in 1797, he was notable only for having left it in disrepair, selling off the surrounding lands, and setting up stables on the ground floor of the castle. After Christophe Baron purchased the castle in 1839, its revival began. In 1886, Jacques Siegfried, the Minister of Commerce and Mayor of Le Havre, became the new owner of Langeais, and devoted the next two decades to restoring the complex, especially its interiors. And in 1904, he donated the castle to the Institute of France.
37. Castle of Loches, France
Of all the medieval keepers that have survived to this day, the one in the castle of Loches is perhaps the oldest. Its construction began in 1005 and was completed around 1070.
The result was a 38-meter-high structure with three-meter-thick walls, almost impregnable. The history of the Loches fortress began during the reign of the Count of Anjou Fulk Nerra, a restless warrior who spent his entire life at odds with his neighbors, the de Blois. It was he who decided to build a square stone fortress.
Part of the castle's premises are open to visitors today, especially popular is the 15th-century torture chamber built by Charles VII - in it you can see the shackles that held the legs of the executed during the quartering. A replica of Louis XI's cell, in which Bishop Balue was imprisoned for 11 years, is also kept here. In 1861, the French Ministry of Culture recognized the Château de Loches as a significant historical monument.
38. Bled Castle, Slovenia
Near the Slovenian town of Bled, on a 130-metre cliff overlooking Lake Bled, stands Bled Castle. It was first mentioned in a document from 1004, reporting on the transfer of Feldes Castle (the German name at the time) by Emperor Henry II to the use of Bishop Albuin of Brixen. Its oldest building is the Romanesque donjon, used for defence, living and observation of the surrounding area.
During the medieval period, other buildings were added to the cliff, and stone defensive walls with towers were built on its very top. In 1947, the castle burned down, but a few years later it was restored and a historical museum was set up there, where weapons, clothing and household items from that time are displayed.
39. Chateau d'Angers, France
Another castle from the banks of the Loire from the Maine-et-Loire department. This area was part of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century. On the banks of the Maine River there was a small border outpost with wooden walls to protect against Vikings and barbarians. In 851, the fortress came under the control of Count Geoffrey II of Anjou, who managed to turn the modest wooden fort into a large stone castle. In 1939, the Polish government in exile settled here, but in 1940, the Germans smoked it out of there too.
After the war, the Angers Castle was restored. Its main attraction was the tapestry cycle "Apocalypse" - 7 canvases on biblical subjects, woven by 1378 according to the sketches of the Flemish painter Jean by the weaver Nicolas Bataille. The canvases have a total length of 144 meters and a height of 5.5 meters.
40. Chepstow Castle, Wales
This castle stands on the banks of the River Wye in the town of Chepstow in south Wales. It was built by William fitz-Osbern between 1067 and 1071. The Earl of Pembroke added a couple of towers in 1200, and his sons added a barbican to protect the drawbridge and a gatehouse. It is the first castle on the entire island of Great Britain to be built entirely of stone. In the mid-19th century, the castle began to host festivals and gardening exhibitions, which were soon joined by festivals and historical competitions, which continue to this day. In 1914, it was bought by a businessman who preserved the castle, and in 1953 his family handed over the castle to the state, after which it became open to visitors.
41. Windsor Castle, England
This current residence of the British monarchs is located in the city of Windsor. For over 900 years, it has stood on a hill in the Thames Valley and has been a symbol of the monarchy. Having captured England in 1066, William the Conqueror spent the next decade surrounding London with a ring of castles, each on a mound 30 kilometers from the capital and from each other. The castle was originally wooden, but with a stone wall around the perimeter, it stood on a limestone mound about 30 meters above the level of the Thames.
The first to use Windsor Castle as his residence was King Henry I in 1110, and he married Adela there in 1121. By this time, the wooden buildings had partially collapsed due to the gradual subsidence of the hill. Wooden piles were then driven into the hill, on which a stone fortress was erected. Henry II, who ascended the throne in 1154, continued building the castle.
Today, Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world, with about 500 people living and working there. The Queen visits there in March and April and for a week in June each year, where she holds ceremonies related to the Order of the Garter. She also officially receives foreign representatives here. About a million tourists visit Windsor each year.
42. Dover Castle, England
This is one of the largest English castles in size, located in Dover (Kent County), on the shores of the English Channel, separating the British Isles from the continent. Some of the castle buildings date back to ancient times. The fortress was surrounded by a huge ditch, which was dug, perhaps, in the Iron Age. At the beginning of the new era, the troops of the Roman Empire reached the British Isles, they built two lighthouses on this site, and one of them has survived to this day. It can be seen today when visiting Dover.
Around the 10th century, the Church of St. Mary of Castro was added to the lighthouse, and the lighthouse was also its bell tower. This church also survived. In 1066, the Normans, led by William I, captured the castle and all of England. Henry II, his grandson, began to build a defensive system and the main tower of the castle. A colossal sum was spent on the construction - 7,000 pounds, of which 4,000 were spent on the construction of the donjon. In the 18th century, during the wars with Napoleon, tunnels were cut in the rocks at a depth of 15 meters under the fortress for the accommodation of soldiers in the amount of 2,000 bayonets. The castle was also expanded and strengthened to withstand the onslaught of the French. But after 1826, when Bonaparte was finished, the castle was abandoned, and all its inhabitants left it without using it in any way.
Only about a century later, in 1939, when the war with Germany began, they remembered the tunnels, which were first converted into bomb shelters, and then into a military hospital. Now the castle houses a large museum complex, open to all comers.
