Knight's castle in Europe. Medieval castles and fortresses in the mountains of Europe
Many of us love history and enjoy watching historical films, be they feature films or documentaries. We want to know how people used to live, what they did, etc. Particularly interesting is the mysterious era of the Middle Ages, an integral part of which were knights and, of course, castles.
So, we present to your attention some of the most beautiful objects of history - the famous castles of Europe.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle is located in southernmost Germany, near the border with Austria. The castle itself stands majestically on a green hill, high above the village of Hohenschwangau and Lake Alpsi. Neuschwanstein Castle is one of many historical landmarks that dot the area, but its grandeur and architectural style set it apart from the others. Built at the end of the 19th century, this is one of the most famous European castles. There is something to admire here not only from the outside, but also from the inside. Be sure to visit Neuschwanstein during your trip to Germany.
2. Peles Castle, Romania
Peles Castle is nestled in the beautiful green hills of the Carpathian Mountains in central Romania. During a trip to a small but picturesque mountain village Sinaia, you will be captivated by the impressive architecture of the castle, dating back to the Neo-Renaissance era. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the castle is now one of the greatest historical attractions in Romania. Inside, you will be stunned by the abundance of lavish collections of armor, weapons, artwork and other interesting items.
3. Brodick Castle, Scotland
Brodick Castle - real historical gem Scotland, located on east coast Isles of Arran. The entire area around the castle is covered in country park, and during your scenic walk through the picturesque castle gardens you will be amazed by the green trees and meadows. The castle, which was built in the 16th century, captivates with its reddish hues, large windows and mighty towers. Read also about other castles in Scotland in a separate selection.
4. Bran Castle, Romania
Bran Castle is located in the heart of the country, and is known for its beautiful location. The structure is nestled in the green mountain hills and picturesque villages, the white colors of the facades against the background of the red colored domes and roof provide a mystical accent to the entire local atmosphere. Indeed, Bran Castle is filled with mysticism and symbolism, also known as Dracula's Castle. All local legends are, in one way or another, connected with Count Dracula.
5. Lincoln Castle, England
Lincoln Castle is located in the heart of the village of Lincoln in England. This 11th century structure is definitely worth a visit during your trip to North East England. Lincoln Castle is unique. Within the fortified walls you can get acquainted with interesting buildings and a courtyard. It is now used as a museum that offers a unique historical experience. Read more about the castles of England in a separate collection on LifeGlobe.
6. Eltz Castle, Germany
Eltz Castle is one of the most picturesque in western Germany. it stands high above a hill, surrounded by the waters of a stream that flows into the neighboring Moselle River. The castle was built in the 12th century, with a distinctive Romanesque architectural style, with a lot of Baroque and Gothic decorations. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the charm of its historical heritage, go inside and explore the interior. There you can find a complex network of rooms that can say much more about Eltz. Read also about other castles in Germany in a separate article.
7. Mont-Saint-Michel Castle, France
This is one of the most famous castles in France. Mont Saint Michel is located on a rocky island along the coast of Normandy. The construction history of this castle dates back to the 6th century, when it was used mainly for military purposes due to its unique strategic location. The rocky island was connected to the mainland through a tiny and narrow bridge, which was completely submerged due to strong currents. Thus, the fortress was almost inaccessible, but now it is one of the most visited historical sites in France.
8. Marienburg Castle, Poland
Marienburg Castle is one of the largest castles in the world, located along the banks of the Nogat River in Poland. Malbork was built by the Teutons in the early 15th century, when it was the world's largest brick castle. The castle is impressive with its medieval architecture, with the predominant colors being red.
9. Spis Castle in Slovakia
In the heart of eastern Slovakia lies another impressive addition to the largest and most famous castles Europe. This is the spectacular Spis Castle, built in the 12th century and famous for its white color, Romanesque architectural style, as well as numerous Gothic elements. Since Spiš Castle is located at an elevation of more than 600 meters, from its top you can enjoy an incredible panoramic perspective.
10. Palace of Versailles, France
The Chateau de Versailles amazes with its gigantic area. And even if this is not exactly a castle, it still closes the top ten on our list. Versailles is one of the most famous architectural complexes in France, which is located in southwestern Paris. Among the attractions of Paris, this is one of the most visited places.
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 big tower with the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which housed royal relics and the crown of the Holy Roman Empire. 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.
For some reason, when the word “fairy tale” is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is medieval castles and fortresses. Maybe because they were built in those ancient times, when wizards walked freely through the fields and meadows, and above mountain peaks fire-breathing dragons flew.
Be that as it may, even now, looking at the castles and fortresses that have been preserved here and there, one inevitably imagines princesses sleeping in them and evil fairies conjuring magic potions. Let's take a look at the once luxurious homes of the powers that be.
(German: Schloß Neuschwanstein, literally “New Swan Stone”) is located in Germany, near the town of Fussen (German: Fussen). The castle was founded in 1869 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Construction was completed in 1891, 5 years after the unexpected death of the king. The castle is magnificent and attracts curious tourists from all over the world with its beautiful architectural forms.
This is the “dream palace” of the young king, who was never able to see it realized in its full grandeur. Ludwig II of Bavaria, the founder of the castle, ascended the throne too young. And being a dreamy person, who imagined himself as the fairy-tale character Lohengrin, he decided to build his own castle in order to hide in it from the harsh reality of the defeat of Bavaria in an alliance with Austria in 1866 in the war with Prussia.
Having moved away from state concerns, the young king demanded too much from the army of architects, artists and craftsmen. Sometimes he set completely unrealistic deadlines, which required round-the-clock work by masons and carpenters. During construction, Ludwig II delved deeper into his fictional world, for which he was later declared crazy. The architectural design of the castle was constantly changing. So the guest quarters were eliminated and a small grotto was added. The small audience hall was transformed into the majestic Throne Room.
A century and a half ago, Ludwig II of Bavaria tried to hide from people behind the walls of a medieval castle - today they come in millions to admire his fabulous refuge.
(German: Burg Hohenzollern) is an ancient castle-fortress in Baden-Württemberg, 50 km south of Stuttgart. The castle was built at an altitude of 855 m above sea level on the top of the Hohenzollern mountain. Only the third castle has survived to this day. The medieval castle fortress was first built in the 11th century and completely destroyed after its capture, at the end of a grueling siege by troops of the cities of Swabia in 1423.
On its ruins, a new fortress was built in 1454-1461, which served as a refuge for the House of Hohenzollern during the Thirty Years' War. Due to the complete loss of strategic importance by the fortress, by the end of the 18th century, the castle had noticeably deteriorated, and some parts of the building were finally dismantled.
The modern version of the castle was built in 1850-1867 on the personal instructions of King Frederick William IV, who decided to completely restore the ancestral castle of the Prussian royal house. The construction of the castle was led by the famous Berlin architect Friedrich August Stüler. He managed to combine new, large-scale castle buildings in the neo-Gothic style and the few surviving buildings of the former destroyed castles.
(Karlštejn), built by decree Czech king and Emperor Charles IV (named in his honor) on a high limestone rock above the Berounka River, as a summer residence and storage place for sacred relics royal family. The first stone for the foundation of Karlštejn Castle was laid by Archbishop Arnošt, close to the emperor, in 1348, and already in 1357 the construction of the castle was completed. Two years before the end of construction, Charles IV settled in the castle.
The stepped architecture of Karlštejn Castle, ending with a tower with a chapel of the Grand Cross, is quite common in the Czech Republic. The ensemble includes the castle itself, the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Catherine Chapel, the Great Tower, the Marian Tower and the Well Tower.
The majestic Studnicna Tower and the Imperial Palace, which housed the king’s chambers, take tourists back to the Middle Ages, when a powerful monarch ruled the Czech Republic.
Royal Palace and Fortress in spanish city Segovia, in the province of Castile and Leon. The fortress was built on a high cliff above the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores rivers. Such a favorable location made it practically impregnable. Now it is one of the most recognizable and beautiful palaces in Spain. Built originally as a fortress, the Alcazar was at one time royal palace, and a prison, and the Royal Artillery Academy.
The Alcazar, which was a small wooden fortress in the 12th century, was later rebuilt into a stone castle and became the most impregnable defensive structure. This palace became famous for great historically significant events: the coronation of Isabella the Catholic, her first marriage to King Ferdinand of Aragon, the wedding of Anne of Austria to Philip II.
(Castelul Peleş) was built by King Carol I of Romania near the city of Sinaia in the Romanian Carpathians. The king was so fascinated by the local beauty that he bought up the surrounding lands and built a castle for hunting and summer holiday. The name of the castle was given by a small mountain river that flowed nearby.
In 1873, construction began on a grandiose structure under the leadership of architect Johann Schulz. Along with the castle, other buildings necessary for a comfortable life were built: royal stables, guard houses, a hunting lodge and a power plant.
Thanks to the power plant, Peles became the first electrified castle in the world. The castle officially opened in 1883. At the same time, central heating and an elevator were installed. The construction was completely completed in 1914.
It is the symbol of the small city-state of San Marino in the territory modern Italy. The beginning of the construction of the fortress is considered to be the 10th century AD. Guaita is the first of three San Marino fortresses built on the peaks of Monte Titano.
The structure consists of two rings of fortifications; the inner one has retained all the signs of forts from the feudal era. The main entrance gate was located at a height of several meters, and it was possible to pass through it only along a drawbridge, now destroyed. The fortress was restored many times in the 15th – 17th centuries.
Well, so we looked at some medieval castles and fortresses in Europe, of course, not all. Next time we will admire the fortresses on the tops of inaccessible cliffs. There are still so many interesting discoveries ahead!
in photographsGermany
Neuschwanstein Castle (Schloß Neuschwanstein) - can be translated as “New Swan Cliff”. Built by King Ludwig II. Construction began in 1869. In 1884, the king moved into the castle.
Mespelbrunn Castle (Schloss Mespelbrunn) is a medieval castle in the city of Mespelbrunn. Construction began in 1412. Completed in 1569.
Burghausen Castle (Die Burg zu Burghausen) is the longest castle complex in Europe (1043 m). The fortification was built earlier than 1025. Main buildings: 1392-1503.
Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberger Schloss) in Heidelberg. The first mention dates back to 1225. The main period of action is XIV - XVII centuries. After destruction by the French in 1693, it was only partially restored.
Colditz Castle (Schloss Colditz) - founded in 1014. Rebuilt in the Renaissance style in the 16th century
Schwerin Castle (Schweriner Schloss) in the city of Schwerin on Palace Island. The Slavic fortress was built back in 965, and a modern complex was created in 1845-1857.
Wartburg Castle in the Thuringian Forest, near the city of Eisenach. The first wooden castle was founded in 1067 by Ludwig Skakun. In 1156-1162 a major alteration was made by Ludwig II.
Celle Castle (Schloss Celle) in the city of Celle. Kellu Fort was built back in 980. The castle was described in 1315.
Cochem Castle (Reichsburg Cochem) in the city was first mentioned in 1130. In 1688 it was destroyed by the French. In 1868 it was restored in the neo-Gothic style.
Upper Neuffen (Burg Hohenneuffen) is a large ruined castle in the Swabian Alb mountain range. Built between 1100 and 1120.
Rieneck Castle (Burg Rieneck) in Rieneck, Bavaria. Founded in 1151.
Glücksburg Castle (Schloss Glücksburg) in the city of Glücksburg in northern Germany, near the Danish border. Construction began in 1582.
Falkenstein (Burg Falkenstein). Built from 1120 to 1180, it was often rebuilt afterwards.
Marksburg Castle. First mentioned 1231
Hohenzollern Castle (Burg Hohenzollern) on the top of Mount Hohenzollern (at an altitude of 855 meters), 50 km south of Stuttgart. The fortress on this site was mentioned in 1267; on May 15, 1423 it was completely destroyed. The second castle was built in 1454-1461.
France
Castle Donjon de Niort in the city of Niort (Deux-Sèvres department). The building has been known since the 13th century.
Castle Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers (commune of Les Trois-Moutiers, Vienne department). The building has been known since the 13th century.
Chateau d'If (Château d'If) on the island of If in the Mediterranean Sea, a mile from the city of Marseille. Construction 1524-1531. Used as a prison from the end of the 16th century to the 19th century.
Castle Château de Grangent (commune of Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert, Loire department). First construction around 800. It is privately owned.
Castle Château de La Roche (commune of Saint-Prieux-la-Roche, Loire department). The first mention dates back to 1260.
Chenonceau Castle (Château de Chenonceau) in the Indre-et-Loire department. Since 1243 it has been known that the estate with the castle (and the adjacent mill) belonged to the de Mark family. After 1512 it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style.
Castle Château de La Bâtie-Seyssel (Barbie commune, Savoie department). Known as the domain of the Seyssel family since the 13th century.
Castle Château de Menthon (commune of Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Haute-Savoie department) on a 200-meter cliff near Lake Annecy. The first wooden fortification on this site dates back to the 10th century. Modern look acquired from the 13th to the 19th centuries.
Castle Château de Gisors (Eure department). Key fortress of the Dukes of Normandy in the 11th-12th centuries.
Château d'Olhain castle of the 15th century (Frenicourt-les-Dolmans commune, Pas-de-Calais department).
Culan Castle (le château de Culan) in the commune of Culan (Cher department) on a rocky ledge overlooking the Arnon River. The wooden fortress was known even before the 10th century. Modern fortress XII-XIII centuries.
Castle Château de Sercy (commune of Sercy, Saone-et-Loire department). The first mention dates back to 1067.
Castle Château de Trécesson (commune of Campeneac, Morbihan department). Mentioned since the 8th century, the modern castle dates back to approximately the 15th century.
Castle Château de Landskron in the Alsace region (Liemen commune) on the very border with Switzerland. Built before 1297.
Castle Château de Morlanne (Morlande commune, Pyrenees-Atlantiques department). Built around 1370 by the architect Sicard de Lordat.
Italy
Graines Castle on a rocky mountain. Built presumably in the 11th century by the monks of the Abbey of St. Maurice. In the Middle Ages, communication was established through flags and mirrors with neighboring castles and towers.
Fenis Castle (Castello di Fenis) in the town of Fénis, Valle d'Aosta region (borders France and Switzerland). The first written mention dates back to 1242. Apparently it was a donjon (main tower) surrounded by walls.
Castle of Castel del Monte (Castel del Monte - “castle on the mountain”) 16 km from the city of Andria (Apulia region). Erected from 1240 to 1250. The castle is octagonal, each tower is also octagonal.
Aragonese Castle (Castello Aragonese) on the volcanic island of Ischia. Construction on the island began in 474 BC. Hieron I. In 1441 a bridge was built connecting the rock and the island.
Castle of Torrechiara (commune of Langirano). Built between 1448 and 1460. Four rectangular towers connected by double lines of walls.
Melfi Castle (Castello di Melfi) in the Basilicata region. The structure dates back to the 11th century, the castle was built by the Normans.
Castle of Orsini-Cesi-Borghese in San Polo del Cavalieri. The first mentions of the castle date back to the 2nd half of the 10th century.
Castle Orsini in Soriano nel Cimino. Built in the 13th century.
Castle Brown (Castello Brown) above the harbor of the fishing town of Portofino. Known since the 15th century.
Porto Venere Castle in the city of Portovenere (Liguria region). Fortress on a cliff overlooking fishing village. The first mention dates back to 1139.
Sarzanello in the commune of Sarzana (Liguria region). The first mention of a fortress on this site dates back to 1076.
Castle of San Leo in the city of San Leo (province of Rimini). The first fort on the top of the mountain was built by the Romans. In the Middle Ages, the Byzantines, Goths, Franks and Lombards fought for the fortress.
Runkelstein Castle (Castel Roncolo) Renon commune. In 1237, the Prince-Bishop of Trent gave the brothers Friedrich and Beral (Lords of Wangen) permission to build a castle on the Runchenstayn rock.
Prösels Castle (Castello di Presule) at the foot of Mount Schlern, province of Bolzano. The first mention dates back to 1279. The structure belongs to the Gothic style.
Castle of the Holy Angel (Castel Sant "Angelo) in Rome. Construction began in 135 by Emperor Hadrian.
Interesting Facts:
Castles in Germany:
- Heidelberg Castle: in 1415, Antipope John XXIII was imprisoned in the castle for some time.
- Colditz Castle: During the Second World War, it served as a detention center for especially important prisoners, it was the most impregnable fortress 3 Reichs. Officers and those who tried to escape from other camps were imprisoned there. Escape from the castle was considered impossible.
- Wartburg Castle: In 1521-1522, the reformer Martin Luther hid in the castle under the name “Junker Jörg”. Here he translated the New Testament into German.
- Marksburg Castle: The only castle of the upper middle Rhine not conquered by French troops in the 17th century.
Castles of France:
Chateau d'If: Alexandre Dumas in 1844-1845 in the work "The Count of Monte Cristo" he described the castle in which the main character was imprisoned for many years. Since the castle opened to the public in 1890, tourists have been constantly visiting it.
Chenonceau Castle: The castle is engraved with the motto "Whoever comes here, let him remember me." The castle is privately owned and open to visitors.
Castles of Italy:
- Graines Castle: according to legend, huge treasures are hidden under the castle.
- Castel del Monte Castle: for researchers, the purpose of the building is a mystery; the structure is not a castle in the exact meaning of the word (there is no moat, rooms for supplies, stables, kitchen). Thanks to the penetration of sunlight into the windows, in a certain sequence, the building can be considered as an astronomical instrument.
- Castel Sant'Angelo: Legend has it that during the plague in 590, Pope Gregory the Great saw the Archangel Michael on top of the castle, this meant the end of the disaster - this is how the name Castel Sant'Angelo came to be.
There are few things in the world more interesting than knight's castles Middle Ages: these majestic fortresses breathe evidence of distant eras with grandiose battles, they have seen both the most perfect nobility and the most vile betrayal. And not only historians and military experts are trying to unravel the secrets of ancient fortifications. The Knight's Castle is of interest to everyone - the writer and the layman, the avid tourist and the simple housewife. This is, so to speak, a mass artistic image.
How the idea was born
A very turbulent time - in addition to major wars, the feudal lords were constantly fighting with each other. Like a neighbor, so it doesn't get boring. The aristocrats fortified their homes against invasion: at first they would only dig a ditch in front of the entrance and put up a wooden palisade. As they gained siege experience, the fortifications became more and more powerful - so that they could withstand rams and were not afraid of stone cannonballs. In antiquity, this is how the Romans surrounded their army with a palisade while on vacation. The Normans began to build stone structures, and only in the 12th century did the classic European knightly castles of the Middle Ages appear.
Transformation into a fortress
Gradually, the castle turned into a fortress; it was surrounded by a stone wall into which high towers were built. The main goal is to make the knight's castle inaccessible to attackers. At the same time, be able to monitor the entire area. The castle must have its own source of drinking water - in case a long siege awaits.
The towers were built in such a way as to hold off any number of enemies for as long as possible, even alone. For example, they are narrow and so steep that the warrior coming second cannot help the first in any way - neither with a sword nor with a spear. And you had to climb them counterclockwise so as not to cover yourself with a shield.
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Imagine a mountain slope on which a knight's castle is built. Photo attached. Such structures were always built at a height, and if there was no natural suitable landscape, they made a bulk hill.
A knight's castle in the Middle Ages was not only about knights and feudal lords. Near and around the castle there were always small settlements where all kinds of artisans settled and, of course, warriors guarding the perimeter.
Those walking along the road always face their right side towards the fortress, the side that cannot be covered by a shield. There is no tall vegetation - there is no hiding. The first obstacle is the ditch. It can be around the castle or across between the castle wall and the plateau, even crescent-shaped, if the terrain allows.
There are dividing ditches even within the castle: if the enemy suddenly managed to break through, movement will be very difficult. If the soil is rocky, a ditch is not needed and digging under the wall is impossible. The earthen rampart directly in front of the ditch was often surrounded by a palisade.
The bridge to the outer wall was made in such a way that the defense of a knight's castle in the Middle Ages could last for years. It's liftable. Either the whole thing or its extreme segment. In the raised position - vertically - this is additional protection for the gate. If part of the bridge was raised, the other was automatically lowered into the ditch, where a “wolf pit” was set up - a surprise for the most hasty attackers. The knight's castle in the Middle Ages was not hospitable to everyone.
Gate and gate tower
The knightly castles of the Middle Ages were most vulnerable precisely in the area of the gate. Latecomers could enter the castle through the side gate via a lifting ladder if the bridge was already raised. The gates themselves were most often not built into the wall, but were located in gate towers. Usually double doors, made of several layers of boards, were sheathed with iron to protect against arson.
Locks, bolts, cross beams sliding across the opposite wall - all this helped hold out the siege for quite a long time. In addition, behind the gate there was usually a strong iron or wooden grille. This is how knightly castles of the Middle Ages were equipped!
The gate tower was designed so that the guards guarding it could find out from the guests the purpose of the visit and, if necessary, treat them with an arrow from a vertical loophole. For a real siege, there were also built-in holes for boiling resin.
Defense of a knight's castle in the Middle Ages
The most important defensive element. It should be tall, thick and better if it is on the base at an angle. The foundation under it is as deep as possible - in case of undermining.
Sometimes there is a double wall. Next to the first high one, the inner one is small, but impregnable without devices (ladders and poles that remained outside). The space between the walls - the so-called zwinger - is shot through.
The outer wall at the top is equipped for the defenders of the fortress, sometimes even with a canopy from the weather. The teeth on it existed not only for beauty - it was convenient to hide behind them at full height in order to reload, for example, a crossbow.
The loopholes in the wall were adapted for both archers and crossbowmen: narrow and long for a bow, widened for a crossbow. Ball loopholes - a fixed but rotating ball with a slot for firing. Balconies were built mainly for decorative purposes, but if the wall was narrow, they were used by retreating and allowing others to pass.
Medieval knight's towers were almost always built with convex towers at the corners. They protruded outward to fire along the walls in both directions. The inner side was open so that the enemy, who penetrated the walls, would not gain a foothold inside the tower.
What's inside?
In addition to the Zwingers, other surprises could await uninvited guests outside the gates. For example, a small closed courtyard with loopholes in the walls. Sometimes castles were built from several autonomous sections with strong internal walls.
Inside the castle there was always a courtyard with household facilities - a well, a bakery, a bathhouse, a kitchen and a donjon - the central tower. Much depended on the location of the well: not only the health, but also the life of the besieged. It happened that (remember that the castle, if not just on a hill, then on the rocks) cost more than all the other buildings of the castle. The Thuringian castle Kuffhäuser, for example, has a well more than one hundred and forty meters deep. In the rock!
Central tower
Donjon - the most tall building castle From there the surrounding area was monitored. And it is the central tower that is the last refuge of the besieged. The most reliable! The walls are very thick. The entrance is extremely narrow and located at a high altitude. The stairs leading to the door could be pulled in or destroyed. Then the knight's castle can hold a siege for quite a long time.
At the base of the donjon there was a basement, a kitchen, and a pantry. Next came floors with stone or wooden floors. The stairs were made of wood; if they had stone ceilings, they could be burned to stop the enemy on the way.
The main hall was located on the entire floor. Heated by a fireplace. Above were usually the rooms of the castle owner's family. There were small stoves decorated with tiles.
At the very top of the tower, most often open, there is a platform for a catapult and, most importantly, a banner! Medieval knightly castles were distinguished not only by chivalry. There were cases when a knight and his family did not use the donjon for housing, having built a stone palace (palace) not far from it. Then the donjon served as a warehouse, even a prison.
And, of course, every knight's castle necessarily had a temple. The obligatory inhabitant of the castle is the chaplain. Often he is both a clerk and a teacher, in addition to his main job. In rich castles, churches were two-story, so that the gentlemen would not pray next to the mob. The owner's ancestral tomb was also built within the temple.
