1. Neuschwanstein, Bavaria, Germany. The castle was built at the end of the XIX century by the order of King Ludwig II and served as a prototype of the Sleeping Beauty castle in Parisian Disneyland. It is considered the most popular castle in Germany, it is visited annually by more than 1 million people.
2. Trakai, Lithuania. This former residence of the Lithuanian princes, located on one of the islands of Lake Galve, was built in 1409. The castle has earned the title of one of the most impregnable fortresses. Festivals and reconstructions are regularly held inside its walls. Also since 1962, the Trakai History Museum has been opened there.
3. Windsor Castle, Berkshire, England. This beautiful creation is more than a thousand years old. On weekdays this castle is open to visitors, here you can see the apartments of George IV, the paintings of Rembrandt and the Dollhouse of Queen Mary. This castle is the beloved country residence of the Queen of Great Britain.
4. Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France. In fact, this place is an abbey and not a castle. In the beginning it was an ordinary chapel, then this place grew into a whole fortress. After experiencing for its history, various attacks and fires, this place has survived to this day. To date, this is the second most visited place in France, after Paris.
5. Hluboka, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. This castle is very different from other castles in the Czech Republic. It looks refined and romantic. The castle acquired its present appearance after the Duchess Eleonora Schwarzenberg wished to turn it into a “Czech Windsor”. Perhaps this is the rare case when the copy even surpassed the original.
6. De Haar, Utrecht, The Netherlands. This castle was recreated by the ingenious architect Peter Kuipers at the end of the 19th century. Thanks to his work, today we can admire the wonderful towers, spiers and hanging bridges, as well as gardens and parks.
7. Castle of Coca, Segovia, Spain. The castle was built at the end of the XV century and is an excellent example of Mudejar style. After the Alba family transferred it to the state, the building received the status of a National Monument and was restored. Today, these massive walls reliably hide the school of forest rangers.
8. Conwy, Wales, UK. The walls of this fortress, once owned by King Edward I. At that time, this castle reflected not a few sieges and attacks. Now this place is open to visitors, and from the towers of this castle offers a stunning view of the eponymous city and the embankment.
9. Bran, Brasov, Romania. This fortress was founded in the early 13th century by the Knights of the Teutonic Order. A few centuries later the castle became a royal residence. The legend says that Vlad Tepesh, the Dracula prototype, once stopped there, although no evidence has been found for this.
10. Kilkenny, Ireland. The castle is on the top of the hill, and is Ireland’s main attraction. For many centuries this fortress was owned by the dynasty of Count Betler, and in 1967 the Count’s heir handed it to the society for £ 50. Since then, everything that has been collected over the centuries has become available to the general public.
11. Egeskov, Fyn Island, Denmark. This castle is an architectural monument of the Renaissance. Its current owner still lives in it, which is why some of the premises are closed for excursions. But anyone can freely put a tent on the territory of its beautiful parks.
12. Pena, Sintra, Portugal. From the walls of this residence of Portuguese kings, an excellent view of the Atlantic Ocean, Sintra and Lisbon. You can also relax in the parks and gardens of this castle after an excursion.
13. Chenonceau, Indre and Loire, France. This castle was nicknamed “ladies”. This is not surprising, because it was most often owned by women, including the wife of Henry II, Catherine de Medici. A woman’s hand is visible in everything from elegant interior to parks and flower beds. This castle is considered the most romantic in France.
14. Bodiam, East Sussex, England. The castle, which is surrounded by a moat, looks like a floating one and is one of the oldest fortresses in England. Guests in this place are waiting not only for the crenellated bastions, picturesque landscapes and spiral staircases, as well as archery, medieval quests and other various entertainments.
15. Castle of the Holy Angel, Rome, Italy. Initially, the castle was conceived as a mausoleum, but then it became the residence of the Pope, a treasure and even a prison (here the Inquisition was held by Giordano Bruno). When you are finished exploring the apartments and yards, do not forget to look at the beautiful view that opens from the top terrace.
16. Chambord, Loire and Cher, France. This snow-white masterpiece of the French Renaissance is one of the most luxurious castles in the Loire Valley. When it served King Francis I as a hunting lodge. The size of the palace is truly royal, it has almost 400 rooms.
17. Aragonese Castle, Ischia Island, Italy. The castle was built in the XV century on a pedestal of volcanic lava. Once upon a time, the whole population of the island of Ischia could have been sheltered within its walls. After the tour you can linger for dinner in one of the cafes and watch the beautiful sunset.
18. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland. This stern palace, which is surrounded by rocks, along with its treasures, chapels and weapons depots, has often become a place of important historical events. It is located on the top of an extinct volcano and rises formidably above the capital of Scotland. With its towers an excellent panoramic view of the city.
19. Spišský hail, Spišske Podgradie, Slovakia. This is the largest castle in Slovakia, located on the top of the dolomite rocks. About its inaccessibility legends were composed. Today it is open for visits, inside you can shoot from medieval weapons, take part in the reconstruction, as well as resemble the bedrooms of its former owners.
20. Hohensalzburg, Salzburg, Austria. This castle is located on the Festungsberg cliff and is one of the largest in Europe. It was built in the early 11th century, and was never captured by force, once it was captured without a fight. You can climb to it on the old cable car, that would enjoy a beautiful view of Salzburg and the surrounding area.
21. Moritzburg, Germany. The hunting castle of the Saxon Electors at the Wettin House, located in the city of Moritzburg. It was built in 1542-1546 as a country estate for court hunting. Now there is a museum.
22. Schwerin Castle, Germany. The castle was built to the order of the Duke Friedrich Franz II in 1845-1857. The architect was Georg Adolf Demmler. For a long time the castle served as the residence of the Schwerin dukes, and at the present time the Landtag of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania meets in the palace.
23. Castle Hohenzollern, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. An ancient fortress castle 50 km south of Stuttgart, was built in 1267, and rebuilt in 1867. The castle houses the crown of Wilhelm II, some personal belongings of Frederick the Great, as well as a letter of thanks from George Washington, which was addressed to Baron von Steuben.
24. The castle of Elz, Wirshem, Germany. It is assumed that it was built in the XII century. Surrounded from three sides by rocks and towering on a rock, it has survived to this day. Once it was divided between three brothers, Elia, Wilhelm and Theodoric, they all lived in it together with families and servants. Now the castle is presented for inspection to the public.
25. The castle of Reichsburg, Germany. The fortress was built in 1020 years. Initially, the castle served as a customs point between Germany and France. In 1689 the castle was almost destroyed by the troops of Louis XIV. In 1868-1877 it was completely restored. Now its gates are open for visitors.