If walls could talk
Predjama Castle, Slovenia
Dramatic Predjama Castle is tucked within the mouth of a cave in Slovenia, and it’s almost difficult to see where the rock ends and the weather-worn fortress begins. This dramatic 13th-century structure, jutting out from a 404-foot-high (123m) cliff, is rumored to have influenced George R.R. Martin, the author whose novels inspired hit TV series Game of Thrones.
Predjama Castle, Slovenia
Alcázar of Toledo, Spain
Alcázar of Toledo, Spain
Château De Chambord, France
Château De Chambord, France
Hearst Castle, California, USA
Hearst Castle, California, USA
Hearst was an art lover, too, and paintings and sculptures practically spill from the property: a highlight is Venus Italica, a sculpture of Venus by Italian Antonio Canova. The castle also has a dreamy Italianate terrace and the glittering Roman pool, with its blue and gold tiles and marble statues. Now take a virtual tour of the world’s most enchanting stately homes.
Mehrangarh Fort, India
Mehrangarh Fort, India
Tower of London, UK
Tower of London, UK
Himeji Castle, Japan
Himeji Castle, Japan
Prague Castle, Czech Republic
Prague Castle, Czech Republic
Iolani Castle, Hawaii, USA
Iolani Castle, Hawaii, USA
Malbork Castle, Poland
Malbork Castle, Poland
Saladin Citadel, Egypt
Saladin Citadel, Egypt
Bran Castle, Romania
As castles go, Bran is probably one of the spookiest. The medieval fortress in Transylvania became known as “Dracula’s castle”, despite Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, never having visited Romania. Today the castle, with its eerie turrets and stunning hilltop location, remains synonymous with the legendary vampire.
Bran Castle, Romania
Amer Fort, near Jaipur, India
Amer Fort, near Jaipur, India
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, UK
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, UK
Castello Di Amorosa, California, USA
Castello Di Amorosa, California, USA
To make his dream a reality, Sattui teamed up with builder and medieval-architecture aficionado Fritz Gruber. They employed historic building techniques and even used antique bricks from former Habsburg palaces. The castle was finished by 2007, complete with watchtowers, ramparts, a chapel, a Great Hall and even a torture chamber (just for show, of course). Discover more castles in America that you didn’t know existed.
The Alhambra, Granada, Spain
The Alhambra of Granada, Spain
The Alhambra’s buildings are elaborately decorated from floor-to-ceiling, and it’s easy to imagine Moorish monarchs wandering through the airy corridors and stunning grounds. Its beauty has inspired many works of literature and film, too, including Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra.
Castles of Gondar, Ethiopia
Castles of Gondar, Ethiopia
De Haar Castle, the Netherlands
De Haar Castle, the Netherlands
Pena Palace, Portugal
Pena Palace, Portugal
Nizwa Fort, Oman
Nizwa Fort, Oman
Peleș Castle, Romania
Peleș Castle, Romania
Palace of Versailles, France
Palace of Versailles, France
Jaisalmer Fort, India
Jaisalmer Fort, India
The structure is believed to be one of the only “living forts” in the world today, as a large population still resides within its walls. Inside there’s the Raj Mahal Palace and several Jain temples, as well as the havelis (townhouses) where the local merchants lived. This picture shows an elaborately decorated havelis with ornate doorways typical of the time they were constructed.
Moszna Castle, Poland
Moszna Castle, Poland
Biltmore Estate, North Carolina, USA
Biltmore Estate, North Carolina, USA
Alcázar of Segovia, Spain
Alcázar of Segovia, Spain
The Citadel of Qaitbay, Egypt
The Citadel of Qaitbay, Egypt
A British invasion in 1882 heavily damaged the fortress leaving it in disrepair for several years. However, in the 20th century, restoration work began, preserving its cavernous, arched passageways for decades to come. Now see what the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World would look like today
Vianden Castle, Luxembourg
Vianden Castle, Luxembourg
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Despite its old-world design, it was extremely modern upon its completion, with central heating and even a telephone line. Nevertheless, its interiors show Ludwig’s desire to escape into the medieval world that inspired the operas of German composer Richard Wagner, of whom the King was a devoted fan and patron. Much of the art inside depicts the kings, poets and knights that appear in the composer’s work. Read on as we reveal the incredible stories behind the world’s most historic cities.
Trakai Castle, Lithuania
Trakai Castle, Lithuania
Happily, the castle was reconstructed after the Second World War and completed in 1961, so it’s once again a breathtaking feat of architecture. The inside is as impressive as the outside too: this photo shows the stone walls and artwork of the castle’s chapel.
Discover more of Europe’s most beautiful castles
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