Castles from the Middle Ages in Western Europe. Medieval castles in Europe
Which castle inspired Pyotr Tchaikovsky to create Swan Lake? Where was Indiana Jones filmed? How do ancient European castles function today? Lovers of mystical landscapes, romantic trips and mysterious legends! Our material is especially for you!
Eltz (German: Burg Eltz) is a castle located in Rhineland-Palatinate (Wirsch commune) in the valley of the Elzbach River. Together with the Bürresheim Palace, it is considered the only building in western Germany that has never been destroyed or captured. The castle was not damaged even during the wars of the 17th and 18th centuries. and the events of the French Revolution.
The castle has been perfectly preserved to this day. It is surrounded on three sides by a river and rises on a cliff 70 meters high. This makes it consistently popular among tourists and photographers.
Official site
Bled Castle, Slovenia (11th century)
One of the oldest castles in Slovenia (Slovenian: Blejski grad) is located on the top of a 130-meter cliff near the lake of the same name near the city of Bled. The oldest part of the castle is the Romanesque tower, which was used for housing, defense, and to monitor the surrounding area.
During World War II, the headquarters of German troops was located here. In 1947, there was a fire in the castle, due to which some of the buildings were damaged. A few years later the castle was restored and it resumed its activities as historical Museum. The museum's collection includes clothing, weapons and household items.
Official site
(XIX century)
The romantic castle of King Ludwig II is located near the town of Füssen in southwestern Bavaria. The castle was the inspiration for the construction of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris. Neuschwanstein (German: Schloß Neuschwanstein) is also featured in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a castle in the fictional land of Vulgaria. Pyotr Tchaikovsky was fascinated by the view of Neuschwanstein. According to historians, it was here that he came up with the idea of creating the ballet “Swan Lake”.
Neuschwanstein Castle is shown in the films “Ludwig II: The Splendor and Fall of the King” (1955, directed by Helmut Keutner), “Ludwig” (1972, directed by Luchino Visconti), “Ludwig II” (2012, directed by Marie Noel and Peter Zehr).
Currently the castle is a museum. To visit, you need to buy a ticket at the ticket center and go up to the castle by bus, on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. The only person who "lives" in the castle on this moment and is its keeper - the watchman.
Official site
The castle in Livorno received its name due to the fact that the local coastline is known as Boccale (Jug) or Cala dei Pirati (Pirate Bay). The center of the modern Castello del Boccale was an observation tower, built by order of the Medici in 16th century, presumably on the ruins of more than ancient building period of the Pisan Republic. For its history appearance The castle has undergone changes more than once. Behind last years A thorough restoration of the Castello del Boccale was carried out, after which the castle was divided into several residential apartments.
The legendary castle (Romanian: Bran Castle) is located in the picturesque town of Bran, 30 km from Brasov, on the border of Muntenia and Transylvania. It was originally built at the end of the 14th century with the help of local residents for exemption from paying taxes to the state treasury for several centuries. Thanks to its location on top of a cliff and its trapezoidal shape, the castle served as a strategic defensive fortress.
The castle has 4 levels connected by a staircase. During its history, the castle changed several owners: it belonged to the ruler Mircea the Old, the inhabitants of Brasov and the Habsburg Empire... According to legend, during his campaigns the famous governor Vlad the Impaler-Dracula spent the night in the castle, and its surroundings were the favorite hunting ground of the ruler the Impaler.
Currently, the castle belongs to a descendant of the Romanian kings, the grandson of Queen Mary, Dominic of Habsburg (in 2006, according to the new Romanian law on the return of territories to the previous owners). After the castle was handed over to the owner, all the furniture was taken to museums in Bucharest. And Dominic Habsburg had to recreate the decoration of the castle, buying various antique items.
Official site
Alcazar Castle, Spain (9th century)
Fortress Spanish kings The Alcázar (Spanish: Alcázar) is located in the historical part of Segovia on a cliff. Over the years of its existence, the Alcazar was not only a royal palace, but also a prison, as well as an artillery academy. According to archaeologists, even in ancient Roman times there was a military fortification on the site of the Alcazar. During the Middle Ages, the castle was the favorite residence of the kings of Castile. In 1953, the Alcazar was turned into a museum.
Currently, it remains one of the most visited tourist destinations in Spain. The palace has a museum in which furniture, interiors, a collection of weapons, and portraits of the kings of Castile are exhibited. 11 halls and the tallest tower are available for viewing - the Tower of Juan II.
Chateau de Chambord, France (XVI century)
Chambord (French: Château de Chambord) is one of the most recognizable castles in France, an architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance. The length of the facade is 156 m, width 117 m, the castle has 426 rooms, 77 staircases, 282 fireplaces and 800 sculpturally decorated capitals.
According to historical research, Leonardo da Vinci himself took part in the design. Since 1981, it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Since 2005, the castle has the status of a state public and commercial enterprise. On the second floor of the castle there is now a branch of the Museum of Hunting and Nature.
Official site
Windsor Castle, UK (11th century)
Situated on a hill in the Thames River valley, Windsor Castle has been a symbol of the monarchy for more than 900 years. Over the centuries, the appearance of the castle changed in accordance with the capabilities of the ruling monarchs. It acquired its modern appearance as a result of reconstruction after a fire in 1992. The castle occupies 52,609 square meters and combines the features of a fortress, a palace and a small town.
Today the palace is owned on behalf of the nation by the Occupied Royal Palaces Estate (residential royal palaces), consumer services are provided by the Royal Household department. Windsor Castle is the largest residential castle in the world (about 500 people live and work there). Elizabeth II spends a month in the spring and a week in June at the castle to participate in traditional ceremonies associated with the Order of the Garter. About a million tourists visit the castle every year.
Official site
Corvin Castle, Romania (XIV century)
The ancestral seat of the feudal house of Hunyadi in the south of Transylvania, in the modern Romanian city of Hunedoara. Initially, the fortress had an oval shape, and the only defensive tower was located in the northern wing, while on the southern side it was covered by a stone wall.
In 1441-1446, under the governor Janos Hunyadi, seven towers were built, and in 1446-1453. They founded the chapel, built the main halls and the southern wing with utility rooms. As a result, the appearance of the castle combines elements of late Gothic and early Renaissance.
In 1974, the castle was opened to visitors as a museum. Tourists are taken to the castle over a gigantic bridge, they are shown a vast hall for knightly feasts and two towers, one of which bears the name of the monk John Capistran, and the second has the romantic name “Do not be afraid.”
They also say that it was in this castle of Hunyadi that Dracula, who was overthrown from the throne of Vlad the Impaler, was kept for 7 years.
Official site
Liechtenstein Castle, Austria (12th century)
One of the most unusual castles in architecture (German - Burg Liechtenstein) is located on the edge of the Vienna Woods. The castle was built in the 12th century, but was destroyed twice by the Ottomans in 1529 and 1683. In 1884 the castle was restored. Further damage was caused to the castle during the Second World War. Finally, in the 1950s, the castle was restored by the efforts of the townspeople. Since 2007, the castle, like more than 800 years ago, is under the jurisdiction of relatives of its founders - the princely family of Liechtenstein.
The modern popularity of Liechtenstein Castle is associated with the Johann Nestroy Theater Festival held here in the summer. The castle is open to visitors.
Official site
Chillon Castle (French: Château de Chillon) is located near Lake Geneva, 3 km from the city of Montreux, and is a complex of 25 elements different eras buildings. The peculiarities of the location and construction allowed the owners of the castle to completely control the strategically important road that ran between the lake and the mountains. For a certain period of time, the road to the Saint Bernard Pass served as the only transport route from Northern Europe to Southern Europe. The depth of the lake ensured safety: an attack from this side was simply impossible. The stone wall of the castle facing the road is fortified with three towers. The opposite side of the castle is residential.
Like most castles, Chillon Castle also served as a prison. Louis the Pious kept Abbot Vala of Corvey prisoner here. In the middle of the 14th century, during the plague epidemic, Jews who were accused of poisoning water sources were kept and tortured in the castle.
George Byron's poem "The Prisoner of Chillon" takes place in Chillon Castle. The historical basis for the poem was the imprisonment in the castle by order of Charles III of Savoy François Bonivard in the years 1530–1536. The image of the castle was romanticized in the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Percy Shelley, Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas.
Official site
Hohenzollern Castle, Germany (XIII century)
Hohenzollern Castle (German: Burg Hohenzollern) is located in Baden-Württemberg, 50 km south of Stuttgart, on the top of Mount Hohenzollern at an altitude of 855 meters. Over the years of its existence, the castle was destroyed several times.
Some of the most famous relics kept in the museum are the crown of the Prussian kings and the uniform that belonged to Frederick the Great. From 1952 to 1991, the remains of Frederick I and Frederick the Great rested in the castle museum. After the reunification of East and West Germany in 1991, the ashes of the Prussian kings were returned to Potsdam.
Currently, the castle belongs 2/3 to the Brandenburg-Prussian Hohenzollern line and 1/3 to the Swabian-Catholic line. About 300 thousand tourists visit it annually.
Official site
Castle Walsen, Belgium (11th century)
Alhambra Palace(Arabic Al Hamra - literally "Red Castle") is an ancient mosque, palace and fortress of the Moorish rulers of the province Granada on South Spain. The castle occupies the top of a rocky plateau on the southeastern border of Granada. Moorish poets described the Alhambra as a “pearl in emeralds,” highlighting the bright colors of the buildings against the backdrop of the green forest that once grew at its feet. Despite many years of decline, vandalism and sometimes unwise restoration, the Alhambra is currently one of the best examples of Moorish architecture in Europe, freed from the cultural influence of Byzantium. During its history, the castle was the residence of both Muslim and Christian rulers, and is now turned into a museum and one of the most famous landmarks in Spain.
Story
In any case, the first mention of the Alhambra dates back to the 9th century. Savwar ben Hamdoun ( Sawwar ben Hamdun) in 889 sought refuge in the Alcazaba ( Alcazaba), the citadel of the present Alhambra from the constant wars that tore apart the Cordoba Caliphate.
His activities in Granada were limited only to strengthening the walls of the citadel. The Alhambra truly flourished with the arrival of the first king of the Nasrid dynasty ( Nasrid) Mohammed bin Al-Ahmar ( Mohammed Al-Ahmar, Mohammed I, 1238-1273) . In the 13th century The Alhambra becomes a royal residence and its “golden age” begins.
The first step was to fortify the old part of the castle, the Alcazaba: observation tower
(Torre de la Vela) And donjon
(Torre del Homenaje).
Under Muhammad II (1273-1302) and Mohammed III (1302-1309), part of the Darro River was diverted and numerous warehouses and additional ramparts were built. Under Mohammed III, public baths were also built on the site where St. Mary's Church would later be built.
The most significant contribution to the formation of the Alhambra as we see it now was made by the following rulers of the Nasrid Dynasty: Yusuf I ( Yusuf I, 1333-1353) and Muhammad V (1353-1391). It is with them that the creation is associated Palace of Lions (
Patio de los Leone s
) and neighboring rooms, Gate of Justice
(Puerta de la Justicia), decoration of towers, construction of baths ( Baños), Cuarto de Comares And Sala de la Barca(Sala de la Barca). Very little remains of the previous kings of the Nasrid dynasty in the Alhambra.
In subsequent years, traces of Moorish architecture were gradually destroyed. In 1812, the French blew up one of the towers of the Alhambra, but the entire castle, fortunately, avoided a similar fate. The following story is connected with this. The explosion of the castle was planned by Napoleon Bonaparte himself, but one of the commanders, who was tasked with carrying out all the work, neutralized the explosives and thereby saved the castle for posterity.
In 1821 the castle was partially destroyed by an earthquake. Restoration work began in 1828 by the architect José Contreras ( Jose Contreras) and continued until 1830. After Contreras' death, his son Rafael and grandson Mariano continued his work. Currently, the Alhambra has become a museum that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.
Architecture
The main decorative elements are stylized plant forms, their interlacing and networks of rhombuses. There are also many poems on the walls that belong to three poets Ibn al-Yayyab (1274-1349), Ibn al-Jatib(1313-1375) and Ibn Zamrak(1333-1393), who were secretaries of the royal office and first ministers. It is believed that al-Zamrak is the most gifted among them. Examples of their poems can be found Here .
And oddly enough, at the same time, on the facade of the tower there is a niche in which sculptures of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus Christ are located.
Area of the ponds (Plaza de los aljibes) The square got its name from the ponds that were built in 1494 by the Count of Tendilla ( Tendilla) in the moat between Alcazaba and the Palaces.
Wine Gate
(Puerto del Vino) -
some of the most ancient. Their construction dates back to the reign of Muhammad II. Now they stand alone in the middle Pond area. Since 1556, the inhabitants of the Alhambra left wine here, which was not subject to taxes.
Many of us love to visit castles when traveling - beautiful ancient buildings that still awe with their grandeur. Of course, they all deserve our attention, but there are some that every person needs to see at least once in their life. By the way, the names of ancient castles are often very euphonious, making you want to admire the ancient strongholds of knights and kings. In order not to be unfounded, let's consider some as an example.
Austria. Mirabell Castle
In ancient times, almost everything was done out of love. Feats were accomplished, wars began, and castles were created - ancient and unusual today. Beautiful stone structures were often given to loved ones as a wedding gift or as a sign eternal love. And Mirabell Castle, which is located in Austria, is no exception. It was erected in 1606 by order of Archbishop Wolf Dietrich, who later gave the fortress to a lady for whom he had tender feelings. After the death of the archbishop, Mirabell Castle fell into a variety of hands. Its new owners changed and rebuilt the structure in every possible way, so to this day the fortress has practically not retained its original appearance. But even this did not stop Mirabell from becoming one of the most colorful and magnificent castles in Europe. And this is by no means an exaggeration. Despite the fact that castles - ancient, beautiful and unusual - are quite common throughout Austria, it was Mirabell that became the pearl of the beautiful Baroque in Salzburg.
Germany. Lion Castle
If you have visited Germany at least once, in particular the city of Kassel, then you have certainly visited one of the most popular routes here, which is called the “German Fairy Tale Road”. On it you can find the medieval Castle of the Lion, which could easily become great place for the film adaptation of some fantastic story. For some time the fortress was even called the second “Disneyland”. Many believe that ancient castles were built back in the Middle Ages, and when looking at this building, it seems that it could become a pearl of that era. But the interesting thing is that the Lion Castle was built only in the 18th century. The architect who was involved in the design and construction traveled around England before starting work. There he studied the ruins of numerous fortresses with a romantic history, in order to later build a real masterpiece. During the Second World War, the Lion Castle was heavily destroyed, but despite this, tourists from all over the world love to visit it.
Germany: Neuschwanstein
Ancient and unusual castles are found all over the world, but perhaps the craziest embodiment of human fantasy can be called Neuschwanstein, which is located on the territory of the same Germany. It was built at the request of King Ludwig, who since childhood hated noisy and dusty Munich so much and only dreamed of leaving there as soon as possible to his own palace. As soon as he had such an opportunity, Ludwig immediately ordered the construction of a real work of art from stone. To build the fortress of his dreams, the king spared neither effort nor finances. The result was Neuschwanstein - the most beautiful and unusual castle in Europe. Today thousands of tourists from all over the world come here to get at least a glimpse of this masterpiece. Unfortunately, the king himself never saw his dream - he died long before construction was completed.
Czech Republic, Trosky Fortress
When visiting the Czech Republic, you should definitely see the castle-fortress, which is called Trosky. It is located on the territory of the Bohemian Paradise nature reserve. This name is not at all accidental, because landscapes such as here can be seen in few places. Today, no one knows for certain who exactly built the fortress. But most believe that it was the military leader Chenek of Wartenberg, who built it in the 14th century. The view from the castle is so stunning that you will not be able to forget it for the rest of your life.
Portugal: Pena Castle
Despite the fact that there are practically no fortifications on the territory of Portugal that have remained intact and unharmed to this day, one fortress still excites the imagination of hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world. Pena's doors are not decorated with ancient ones; they do not greet guests with the cold of stone; this castle is special. Its history begins with a chapel that was built here in the Middle Ages. Time passed, and a monastery began to be built around the chapel. Unfortunately, it has not survived to this day, as it was completely destroyed in the 18th century by a strong earthquake. Until 1838, no one remembered these ruins, until the place caught the eye of Ferdinand II. It was here that he decided to build his country residence.
Pena Fortress is made in two styles: Islamic Gothic, eclecticism and neo-Renaissance. There were exotic trees and flowers all around. The castle is distinguished by its unusual coloring and architectural details. At first glance, it is difficult to realize that you see in front of you a fortification that could withstand the onslaught of enemies. The walls of Pena rise above the city. From here you have an unforgettable view of the streets of Sintra.
Karlštejn Castle is a Gothic castle built by Emperor Charles IV in the 14th century, 28 km southwest of Prague in the Czech Republic. The best court craftsmen were invited to decorate it; it was one of the most representative fortresses, which was intended to store the Czech royal regalia and imperial relics collected by Charles IV. The castle was built on the terraces of a 72-meter limestone rock above the Berounka River
The castle is named after its founder Charles IV, King of the Czech Republic and Holy Roman Emperor. Founded in 1348 as the summer residence of Charles IV, as well as a repository for Czech royal regalia and holy relics, the collection of which was the passion of this monarch. The first stone in the foundation of Karlštejn was laid by a close friend and adviser of Charles IV, Archbishop of Prague Arnošt from Pardubice. The castle was built under the personal supervision of the emperor in a short time according to the design of the Frenchman Mathieu of Arras. Already in 1355, two years before the end of construction, Emperor Charles moved into his new residence.
The architectural design of the castle was based on the principle of a stepped arrangement of buildings included in architectural ensemble. Each subsequent building of the castle rises above the previous one, and the top of this ensemble is formed by the Great Tower with the Chapel of the Holy Cross, in which royal relics and the crown of the Holy Roman Empire were kept. The large tower measures 25 by 17 meters in plan, the thickness of the walls is 4 meters. The Upper Castle complex is formed by the Great Tower, imperial palace, Marian Tower with the Church of the Virgin Mary, below is the Lower Castle with a large courtyard, burgrave and gates to which the road leads. At the lowest point of the castle there is a well tower. The depth of the well is 80 meters; the mechanism for raising water was driven by the efforts of two people.
In addition to the false donjons in the northern French style, the Karlštejn ensemble includes several masterpieces of religious architecture of the 14th century - the Church of the Virgin Mary with paintings, the Catherine Chapel with polychrome Gothic stained glass and precious cladding made of jasper, agate and carnelian, and completed by 1365, the Cross Chapel with images of the prophets and Saints by the Gothic master Theodoric - the imperial response to the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.
The management and defense of the castle was headed by the burgrave, who was subordinate to a garrison of vassals who had estates around the castle.
During the Hussite Wars, in addition to the Roman imperial regalia, Karlštejn also housed the treasures and regalia of the Czech kings taken from Prague Castle (including the crown of St. Wenceslas, which was used to crown the kings of the Czech Republic, starting with Charles IV. It was returned to Prague Castle only in 1619 ). The siege of Karlstejn by the Hussites in 1427 lasted 7 months, but the castle was never taken. During the Thirty Years' War in 1620, Karlstejn was besieged by the Swedes, but they also failed to capture the castle. In 1436, by order of Emperor Sigismund, the second son of Charles IV, the royal treasures were removed from Karlstejn and are currently stored partly in Prague and partly in Vienna.
In the 16th century, rooms were allocated in the castle for storing the most important documents of the imperial archive. At the end of the 16th century, the palace chambers were refurbished in the Renaissance style, but after 1625 a decline began, associated with the name of Empress Eleanor (wife of Ferdinand II), who pledged Karlštejn to the Czech nobleman Jan Kavka, which led to its transfer into private hands. The widow of Emperor Leopold managed to return the castle to royal ownership by paying a deposit.
Empress Maria Theresa gave the castle into the possession of the Hradcany boarding house for noble maidens, which is considered the last owner of the property before it became state property of Czechoslovakia.
Emperor Francis I was the first to show concern for the restoration of Karlstejn (at that time a treasure trove of 14th-century jewelry was discovered in the castle wall), and Karlstejn acquired its current appearance after a very free restoration undertaken in 1887-99. Restoration work was carried out under the leadership of the professor of the Vienna Academy of Arts F. Schmidt and his student J. Motzker, who, among other things, managed to complete the construction of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle. Some experts argue that Charles IV would not have recognized his castle after the "restoration work" using Portland cement; for this reason, UNESCO is in no hurry to recognize it as a World Heritage Site.
After the transfer of Karlštejn Castle to state ownership, the castle is open to tourists and is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Czech Republic, ranking second in popularity in the Czech Republic after Prague.
Hello, dear reader!
After all, medieval architects in Europe were geniuses - they built castles, luxurious buildings that were also extremely practical. Castles, unlike modern mansions, not only demonstrated the wealth of their owners, but also served as powerful fortresses that could hold a defense for several years, and at the same time life in them did not stop.
Medieval castles
Even the very fact that many castles, having survived wars, natural disasters and the carelessness of their owners, still stand intact, suggests that more reliable housing has not yet been invented. They are also incredibly beautiful and seem to have appeared in our world from the pages of fairy tales and legends. Their tall spiers remind of the times when the hearts of beauties were fought for, and the air was saturated with chivalry and courage.
To get you into the romantic mood, I have collected in this material 20 of the most famous castles that still remain on Earth. You will definitely want to visit them and, perhaps, stay to live.
Reichsburg Castle, Germany
The thousand-year-old castle was originally the residence of King Conrad III of Germany and then King Louis XIV of France. The fortress was burned by the French in 1689 and would have sunk into oblivion, but a German businessman acquired its remains in 1868 and spent most of his wealth to restore the castle.
Mont Saint Michel, France
The impregnable castle of Mont Saint-Michel, surrounded on all sides by the sea, is one of the most popular attractions in France after Paris. Built in 709, it still looks stunning.
Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria
The medieval castle of Hochosterwitz was built back in the 9th century. Its towers still vigilantly monitor the surrounding area, proudly towering above it at an altitude of 160 m. And in sunny weather they can be admired even at a distance of 30 km
Bled Castle, Slovenia
The castle is located on a hundred-meter cliff, hanging menacingly over Lake Bled. In addition to the magnificent view from the windows of the castle, this place has a rich history - the residence of the Serbian queen of the dynasty, and later of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, was located here
Hohenzollern Castle, Germany
This castle is located on the top of the Hohenzollern mountain, 2800 meters above sea level. During its heyday, the castle in this fortress was considered the residence of the Prussian emperors.
Barciense Castle, Spain
Barciense Castle in the Spanish province of Toledo was built in the 15th century by a local count. For 100 years, the castle served as a powerful artillery fortress, and today these empty walls attract only photographers and tourists.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
The romantic castle of the Bavarian king Ludwig II was built in the middle of the 19th century, and at that time its architecture was considered very extravagant. Be that as it may, it was its walls that inspired the creators of Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland
Methoni Castle, Greece
Since the 14th century, the Venetian castle-fortress of Methoni has been the center of battles and the last outpost of Europeans in these parts in the battles against the Turks, who dreamed of capturing the Peloponnese. Today, only ruins remain of the fortress.
Hohenschwangau Castle, Germany
This castle-fortress was built by the Knights of Schwangau in the 12th century and was the residence of many rulers, including the famous King Ludwig II, who hosted the composer Richard Wagner within these walls
Chillon Castle, Switzerland
This medieval bastille resembles a warship from a bird's eye view. The castle's rich history and distinctive appearance have served as inspiration for many famous writers. In the 16th century, the castle was used as a state prison, as described by George Byron in his poem “The Prisoner of Chillon.”
Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland
The castle, located on a rocky island in the Loch Duich fjord, is one of Scotland's most romantic castles, famous for its heather honey and legends. Many films have been filmed here, but most importantly, the castle is open to visitors and everyone can touch the stones of its history.
Bodiam Castle, England
Since its founding in the 14th century, Bodiam Castle has seen many owners, all of whom enjoyed fighting. Therefore, when Lord Curzon acquired it in 1917, only ruins remained of the castle. Fortunately, its walls were quickly restored, and now the castle stands as good as new.
Guaita Castle, San Marino
The castle has been located on the top of the inaccessible Monte Titano mountain since the 11th century and, together with two other towers, protects the oldest state in the world, San Marino.
Swallow's Nest, Crimea
Initially, there was a small wooden house on the rock of Cape Ai-Todor. And the “Swallow’s Nest” received its current appearance thanks to the oil industrialist Baron Steingel, who loved to vacation in Crimea. He decided to build a romantic castle that resembles medieval buildings on the banks of the Rhine River
Castle Stalker, Scotland
Castle Stalker, which means "Falconer", was built in 1320 and belonged to the MacDougall clan. Since that time, its walls have survived a huge number of strife and wars, which affected the condition of the castle. In 1965, the owner of the castle became Colonel D. R. Stewart from Allward, who personally, together with his wife, family members and friends, restored the building
Bran Castle, Romania
Bran Castle is the pearl of Transylvania, a mysterious fort museum where the famous legend of Count Dracula - the vampire, murderer and commander Vlad the Impaler - was born. According to legend, he spent the night here during his campaigns, and the forest surrounding Bran Castle was Tepes’s favorite hunting ground.
Vyborg Castle, Russia
Vyborg Castle was founded by the Swedes in 1293, during one of the crusades against Karelian land. It remained Scandinavian until 1710, when the troops of Peter I threw the Swedes back far and wide. From that time on, the castle managed to be a warehouse, a barracks, and even a prison for the Decembrists. And today there is a museum here.
Cashel Castle, Ireland
Cashel Castle was the seat of the kings of Ireland for several hundred years before the Norman invasion. Here in the 5th century AD. e. Saint Patrick lived and preached. The castle walls witnessed the bloody suppression of the revolution by the troops of Oliver Cromwell, who burned soldiers alive here. Since then, the castle has become a symbol of the cruelty of the British, the true courage and fortitude of the Irish.
Kilhurn Castle, Scotland
The very beautiful and even slightly creepy ruins of Kilhurn Castle are located on the shore picturesque lake Eive. The history of this castle, unlike most castles in Scotland, proceeded quite calmly - numerous earls lived here, who replaced each other. In 1769, the building was damaged by a lightning strike, and soon it was finally abandoned, as it remains to this day.
Lichtenstein Castle, Germany
Built in the 12th century, this castle was destroyed several times. It was finally restored in 1884 and since then the castle has become a filming location for many films, including The Three Musketeers.
