Exploring these Castles In Europe immerses you in our rich history.
Tracing the stories of kings, alliances, vendettas, European territories, wars, regions, nations, and
the families that have shaped and reshaped Europe.
Uncover Europe’s most stunning castles.
6. Windsor Castle; Windsor – England
Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, serves as the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen.
With a history spanning nearly 1000 years, this historic landmark covers an area of approximately 5 hectares (13 acres) and features several noteworthy attractions:
Firstly, it boasts Magnificent State Apartments, lavishly furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection.
Secondly, it is home to St. George’s Chapel, which ranks among the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England.
And serves as the final resting place for ten monarchs.
Lastly, visitors can marvel at Queen Mary’s Dolls House, a remarkable masterpiece in miniature.
5. The Hohenzollern Castle; Baden-Württemberg – Germany
The Hohenzollern House has its first known personal reference dating back to 1061 when Wezil et Burchardus de Zolorin were mentioned.
The Castle complex, referred to as Castro Zolre, was first directly mentioned in 1267.
Although we don’t have information about the original Castle’s appearance, size, or furnishing, it likely existed in the early 11th century.
During that time, it must have been a vast and artistically valuable complex. Contemporary sources praised it as the Crown of all Castles in Swabia and as the most fortified House in Germany.
However, in 1423, the Castle suffered complete destruction.
4. The Neuschwanstein Castle; Bavaria – Germany
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Just seven weeks following King Ludwig II’s death in 1886, Neuschwanstein opened its doors to the public.
The reclusive king had constructed the castle to escape public life, yet now, an immense crowd of people came to explore his once-private sanctuary.
Today, Neuschwanstein stands as one of Europe’s most beloved palaces and castles.
The castle of the fairy-tale king welcomes 1.4 million visitors annually, with approximately 6,000 visitors touring rooms originally designed for a solitary occupant during the summer months.
3. The Castle in Love with the Wind; Ravadinovo- Bulgaria
Love with the Wind is a newly built castle in Europe, featuring magnificent structures crafted from marble and metamorphosed limestone by the visionary architect Georgi Tumpalov.
Situated near the sea, this fairy tale-like castle is nestled in a place where the sun and wind coexist harmoniously.
Georgi Tumpalov, driven by a child’s dream, decided to transform the bare field near the village into a castle straight out of fairy tales.
This endeavor drew crowds of visitors from around the world to the quaint village of Ravadinovo, just 6 km from Sozopol.
Recognized for its charm, the castle received the award for the most appealing tourist destination of the year from the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association.
In 2013, Walt Disney utilized its natural surroundings as a backdrop for the movie Sleeping Beauty.
Further acclaim came in 2016 when the castle clinched the top prize in the international competition.
A’ Design Awards 2016 within the category of Hospitality, Recreation, Travel, and Tourism Design.
2. The Alcazar Castle; Segovia – Spain
The Alcázar of Segovia, known as Segovia Castle, stands as a stone fortification in the historic city of Segovia, Spain.
Perched atop a rocky crag at the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores rivers, near the Guadarrama mountains.
It boasts a unique, ship-bow-like shape that sets it apart as one of Spain’s most distinctive castle-palaces.
Initially constructed as a fortress, the Alcázar has held various roles over the years, serving as a royal palace, a state prison, a Royal Artillery College, and a military academy.
Walt Disney drew inspiration from this castle when creating Cinderella Castle.
1. The Palace of Pena; Sintra – Portugal
Nestled in the Sintra hills, the Park and Palace of Pena stand as King Ferdinand II’s creative masterpiece and represent the pinnacle of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal.
These architectural wonders bear clear influences from both Manueline and Moorish styles.
The palace was strategically designed for visibility from any point within the expansive park, which comprises lush gardens and a forest housing over five hundred diverse tree species from across the globe.
In this region, there is much to discover; For instance, you can embark on a Walking Tour featuring visits to the Palace, Castle, and Old Town.
This article samples just a few of the many beautiful castles in Europe.
