Bodiam Castle, England

Bodiam Castle in southern England is almost 500 years old, but it is a fairly modest age by historical standards. Despite the threat from France at the end of the fourteenth century, the expected invasion never took place, so the castle's defensive capability was never tested. The castle was more like a carefully strengthened lord's residence than a fortress. Bodiam Castle seems to float over a ditch filled with water that surrounds it and separates sandy walls from the wide space enveloped in vegetation.

Peleș Castle, Romania

According to the plan of the court architect who was entrusted with the construction of the summer residence of Carol I, the future castle was to become a spacious palace in Alpine style combining Italian elegance with the aesthetics of the German neo-Renaissance. Foothills of the Southern Carpathians, the "cradle of the dynasty", has turned into a beautiful park with a lot of streams and waterfalls.

Despite the fact that most of the work was done by 1883 and the royal family spent there almost all the time, the castle was never completed during the life of Carol I. His son, King Carol II, opened the castle for visitors partially turning it into a museum. However, only after 2006 the castle was opened to all comers.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Neuschwanstein, which means "a new swan stone", received such a lyrical name thanks to the symbol of the Schwangau family used in the architecture and interior of the building. The location on a rocky terrain in some distance from large settlements makes the castle even more romantic. The abundance of pictures depicting scenes from the operas of Richard Wagner shows the close friendship of the German composer with the monarch.

Since the castle was built in the second half of the nineteenth century during the rapid development of technology, it is equipped with all the advanced technologies of the time, such as electricity and elevator. A cinema was opened here in 1916. Afterthe World War II, the castle was opened to tourists, and a little later it was declared a museum.

Castillo de Colomares, Spain

The central place in the composition of this unusual castle is occupied by the image of the Santa Maria flagship on which Christopher Columbus discovered America at the end of the fifteenth century. The architecture of the legend carved into stone has elements of Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, and Moorish styles. The complex whose construction was completed in 1994 includes a mausoleum where the remains of the seafarer will rest.

Possessing deep knowledge in history and architecture, Dr. Stephen Martin created a real masterpiece through which you can learn the events that influenced the history of Spain. Thus, the famous Lovers' Fountain is considered a symbol of the marriage of the Spanish monarchs Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon who ruled during the time of Columbus. The Portal of Union symbolizes the joining of Navarre to other kingdoms of Spain.

Moritzburg Castle, Germany

Moritzburg Castle is a remarkable German baroque monument of the seventeenth century, a vivid reminder of the "golden age" of Saxony.

Built on a small hill, the castle seems to hover above the water, reflected in the lake surface. The richness of the castle's decor can be traced throughout: starting from the main entrance, protected by two sculptural groups of hunters with dogs, ending with the so-called "feathered hall" and luxurious collection of moose horns.

Prague Castle, Czech Republic

The Prague Castle which saw the most important events of the country is listed inthe UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Guinness Book of Records as the largest presidential residence and the largest castle in the world (over 7 hectares). Prague Castle consists of three courtyards with palaces, temples, and monasteries of all architectural styles of the last millennium. The museums store royal jewelry, Christian relics, valuable works of art, and a number of important historical documents.

Schwerin Palace, Germany

The town of Schwerin, or Northern Florence, became the place of the Schwerin castle construction in the sixteenth century. It is located on a small island in the middle of a picturesque lake where the water reflects the domes of this fairy-tale fortress.

After extensive reconstruction in the middle of the last century the castle turned into a fabulously beautiful palace with 653 halls decorated with exquisite wood carvings, encrusted parquet, ceiling moldings, and gilding. The Baroque Schlossgarten park surrounding the castle deserves special attention.

Chillon Castle, Switzerland

The legendary castle of Chillon is described in detail in the famous poem of George Byron “The Chillon Prisoner”, but it is also famous as one of the most terrible prisons in Europe which now represents an original museum of interesting artifacts found near the castle. It obtained its modern appearance when the castle was privately owned by the Dukes of Savoy dynasty.

Despite the beauty of the interior, tourists hurry to find themselves in the creepy dungeons of the Chillon Castle where, according to the beliefs, the prisoners were tortured, and their bodies were dumped in the waters of Lake Geneva. It is well known that Jews were accused in the plague epidemic. Thousands of people were cruelly executed here by order of the Inquisition in 1348. The dungeons of the castle make the blood run cold: it seems that after centuries the cries of dying people can still be heard.

Windsor Castle, England

Windsor Castle serves as the permanent residence of Queen Elizabeth II and her family. The governance model in the UK is quite effective, therefore the members of the royal family still live in the most beautiful castle in the world and enjoy a huge number of privileges demonstrating the luxury and wealth of their country to the world.

The residence of the monarchs, the so-called Winding Shores, is located on a high hill of the Thames shore and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest castle in the world. It is noteworthy that this oldest castle of the Albion has never turned into museum: the Queen of England arranges magnificent receptions in the castle and fulfills the obligations imposed on her by the people.

Balmoral Castle, Scotland

Balmoral Castle has been the summer residence of English monarchs for many years.

The castle is famous for its rich armory, exquisitely decorated with collector's pistols, sabers, revolvers, and other weapons. The main features of this place are considered numerous forest areas, which remain intact, as well as the unique water garden.

According to legend, in 1896 the last Russian emperor Nicholas II fished here and stayed at the castle with his wife, Alexandra, beloved granddaughter of the Queen Victoria.

Highclere Castle is known to all lovers of the English drama Downton Abbey which was shot here surrounded by a large park that created the illusion of isolation from modernity.

The castle was changed many times, adjusting to its new owner status, until it acquired the look of a beautiful Victorian castle that we see today.

This castle which combined elements of Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance styles was constructed in the center of the Iberian Peninsula.

The magnificent artistic effect is achieved thanks to the skilful brickwork, the gradations of color and bizarre ornaments. Despite all its grace, the castle, consisting of a double ring of walls with dry ditch around them, is fully defensive. A huge number of loopholes of different types cut off all attempts to take the castle. Nevertheless, this did not prevent the Napoleonic troops from partially destroying it.

The state privatized the castle in the twentieth century, and after that the Castle of Coca was restored and declared a national treasure. Archaeological finds, related to the Celtic-Iberian and Roman periods, attract not only tourists but also scientists from all over the world.

Kilkenny Castle, Republic of Ireland

Kilkenny Castle has been carefully preserved thanks to its location on the hill and the efforts of its owners (the powerful and influential Butler family) who had been living here for six centuries. In addition, for many centuries the castle was the place of important historical and state events including meetings of the Parliament of the seventeenth century.

In 1967, the owner of the castle became the Committee for the Restoration of Castles. After the restoration, a magnificent collection of works of art and a rich library collection became available to tourists.

Malbork Castle, Poland

Malbork Castle is one of the 7 wonders of Poland which got to the UNESCO World Heritage List after a grand restoration. During its history it served as the residence of the Teutonic Order masters, Polish kings, and Nazi organizations. After the World War II the majestic Malbork, or Marienburg, turned into smoking ruins.

Despite the fact the castle was rebuilt from scratch, it became very popular among tourists.

Alcázar of Segovia, Spain

One of the most recognizable symbols of Spain is located on the place of ancient Roman wooden fortress, not far from a well-preserved aqueduct built by the same Romans many centuries ago.

During its existence the fortress in Segovia served as the royal palace, state prison, and Royal Artillery Academy. It is not only a majestic palace, but also a reliable royal fortress, the inaccessibility of which is provided not only by its position on a high rock but also by the secret underground labyrinths connecting the Alcázar with other city palaces.