Himeji Castle

If there is one thing that most of us can agree on, it’s that castles are awesome. Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, Star Wars fan or Trekkie, Team Jacob or Team Edward, there is a good chance that you’ve dreamed of owning your own moat.

 

There is just something undeniably cool about castles that even the most modern skyscrapers cannot match.With that in mind we set out to compile a list of the coolest, oldest, and most unique castles in the world. Here are a few that caught our eye.

 

Chillon Castle – Veytaux, Switzerland: A castle for literary fans everywhere, Chillon Castle in Switzerland served as the setting for Lord Byron’s poem The Prisoner of Chillon as well as pivotal scenes in Henry James’ iconic novella Daisy Miller. The stunning property features over 100 buildings that were gradually connected to one another over time. Today the castle serves as a museum and is open for public tours. English majors can now throw the party of their dreams as the grounds have recently become available for event booking.

 

Boldt Castle – Heart Island, New York: Yes, there is a castle in New York and no, I’m not just talking about the fast food joint that serves miniature burgers. This full-fledged, real-life castle is located on Heart Island on the St. Lawrence River. It was initially built by George Boldt, proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City in the early 1900s. However, construction of his dream home was halted after the passing of his wife in 1904. For the next 70 years Boldt Castle sat abandoned, decaying, and all but forgotten. Then in 1977 the state of New York purchased the property and promised to restore Boldt Castle to its original splendor. In the decades following they have done just that, spending $15 million to turn Boldt Castle into one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.

 

Himeji Castle – Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan: A fortress at Himeji dates as far back as 1333 but the magnificent castle there came to be during the early 1600s. A complex network of 83 buildings, Himeji features advanced feudal defense systems as well as intricate works of art. It is commonly referred to by locals as Hakurojō ("White Egret Castle")because of its dazzling white exterior and resemblance to a bird taking flight. The castle has survived over 400 years through natural disasters and warfare to become one of the most visited sites in Japan today.

 

Alcázar of Segovia - Segovia, Spain: During the Middle Ages the Alcázar was a favorite residence for the monarchs of the Kingdom of Castile. Since then the castle has undergone drastic changes as has Spain’s political climate. The castle played a pivotal role throughout Spain’s history serving as a prison, a school, and a military academy. Today with its rich history and striking spirals, the castle is one of the most visited sites in Spain.

 

Pena National Palace – Sintra, Portugal: Built in the 1840s as a summer home for the Portuguese royal family, this castle is now a national landmark and one of Portugal’s most visited sites. Over time its colorful facades faded and for many years the exterior appeared as a dull gray. By the end of the 20^th Century, however, the original bold red and yellow colors were restored, shocking some residents who did not know of their previous presence. These colors give a personality to the property and make it one of the most recognizable castles in the world.

 

Prague Castle – Prague, Czech Republic: This castle has served as home for theKings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. Italso holds the Guinness Book of World Records title as the world’s largest coherent castle complex.  The castle has been rebuilt many times over its history and as such represents elements of nearly every architectural style of the last 1,000 years. Today nearly all sections of the complex are open to the public. Prague Castle houses several museums and regularly plays host to the Summer Shakespeare Festival, the largest open-air theater-festival in Europe.

 

Mehrangarh Fort - Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India: Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest and fascinating landmarks in India. In a country where impressive structures abound, this castle complex takes the cake. Inside the walled exterior you’ll find not one but several ornate palaces intricately designed and displaying the battle scars of its rich history. A winding road leading to and from the city below is lined with imprints and wounds from centuries-old cannonball fire. At night the entire fort, which rests on a mountain top, is illuminated in an awesome display.

 

Windsor Castle - Berkshire, England: A thousand year old fortress transformed into a royal palace, Windsor Castle has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Home to England’s royal family since the reign of William the Conqueror, this 480,000 sq. ft. manor is the largest inhabited castle in the world. Today it serves as one of three principal residences for the British monarch and is used for state and private entertaining.

 

Château de Chambord - Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France: With its distinct blend of French and Italian architecture, the Château de Chambord is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world. What it lacks in defense and toughness it more than makes up for in aesthetic. This isn’t your grandfather’s castle. It was built duringa timein the 16th Century when defense became less important than displays of richness. With that in mind, it is easy to declare this beautiful property one of the most impressive castles in the world.

 

Neuschwanstein Castle - Bavaria, Germany: With a name like Neuschwanstein, it has to be good; and this castle is truly one of the best. This enormous 19th Century palace stretches majestically into the skies over a rugged Bavarian hillside in southeast Germany. Proposed in 1869 as a summer home for Ludwig II, the castle was dedicated to controversial German composer Richard Wagner.  However, neither man would live to see its completion in 1892. The castle’s remote location allowed it to survive both World Wars relatively unscathed and it now plays host to over 1 million visitors annually. If the castle looks familiar to you, it should. It served as the inspiration for Walt Disney’s famed Sleeping Beauty Castle. 

 

Photo: Aleksander Dragnes