Every
castle has an interesting story associated with it. All of the
castles have peculiar magic that draws travelers from all over the
world in. The towering structures and lush-green gardens allow us to
revisit our childhood bedtime stories. We imagine horses, princes,
moats, and knights in the amazing rendition of these places. Even
though most of the stories related to the castles are fabricated,
some incidents still inspire curious minds.
Castles
and palaces play a pivotal role in telling the people the marvelous
history of a region. Their fictitious halls and soaring towers reveal
the wins and the losses of the emperors. Furthermore, through their
flamboyant and timeless designs, they provide an in-depth insight
into the architectural complexities of a region. In this piece, we
have highlighted 10 of the world’s most captivating castles, which
have unquestionably influenced our historical conceptions.
Himeji Castle, Japan
The
Himeji Castle is nicknamed “White Heron Castle” given its
resemblance to a bird taking flight. The castle depicts an elegant
white façade with jaw-dropping Chinese architecture that is sure to
impress anyone.
The
castle was built in 1346 as a protection against shotguns and
invaders. The castle has a huge complex that comprises of 83
buildings. Even though the castle was built for the battle, it was
never used in the wars and instead revamped as a residential place.
In
1931, the castle was designated as a site of national heritage and a
monumental example by the Japanese government. As soon as you come
here, you will have the chance to avail guided tours in the castle’s
cherry blossom garden.
Lahore Fort, Pakistan
Lahore
Fort, also known as Shahi Qila, is a citadel located at the northern
end of Lahore. It is spread over an area greater than 20 hectares and
contains the notable historical monuments that date back to the era
of Emperor Akbar. In the 11th century, it was only a fort of mud and
brick. However, in the 17th century, it was rebuilt by the Mughal
Empire as a protection against foreign invaders. There were a total
of two gates of the castle, namely Akbari Gate and Alamgiri Gate.
The
major structures of the castle are Sheesh Mahal, Khilawat Khana, and
Shah Jahan’s Quadrangle. The amazing sculptures of this castle will
genuinely take your imagination to the glorious years of the Mughal
Empire. PIA
online booking
will
take you to Lahore city of Pakistan from where you can immerse
yourself in this castle.
Fasil Ghebbi, Ethiopia
Fasil
Ghebbi consists of the remains of the ancient civilization within
Gondar, Ethiopia. The compound is made up of eight components that
were occupied by the Ethiopian emperors. The castle is also
designated as the World Heritage Site by the United Nations. The
remains of the castle cover an area of about 70,000 square meters.
The
primary attractions of the castle are Dawit III’s Hall, Empress
Mentewab’s, Lyasu I’s Palace, and a library. Its unique
architecture with the influence of different cultures attracts
thousands of people each year.
Topkapi Sarayi, Turkey
Even
though it is generally called a palace, Istanbul’s Topkapi compound
has all the features of a classic castle including fortified walls,
defensible gates, robust paths, and royal residence. The Ottoman
Sultans occupied the residence from the 15th century until the 1850s.
The
castle was converted into a museum after the defeat of the Ottoman
Empire. Currently, it features pristine gardens, wall-top walks, the
Royal Harem, and the Imperial Compound famous for its golden dagger,
which was stolen and eventually retrieved in the 1964 movie
“Topkapi.” You definitely need to book the ticket of Turkish
Airlines
to
come and see this ancient gem.
Pena Castle, Portugal
The
Pena Castle is among the finest tourist attractions in Portugal and
symbolizes the magnificent 19th-century romantic style of
architecture. The castle is the epicurean mix of explicitly painted
terraces, mythological statues, and amazingly decorated battlements.
Plus, the lush green views of Pena forest, when combined with the
castle embellishments give an out of the world look.
King
Ferdinand II built the castle on the site of a devastated monastery
dedicated to the Virgin of Pena. The designers made sure that the
castle depicted the styles of Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance
architectures. The interior of the palace reflects the décor of 1910
when the Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil to escape the
revolution.
Kalmar Castle, Sweden
This
castle was founded in the 12th century when the Viking Age was
diminishing. The Viking soldiers used to stand on the castle’s
walls to overlook the marching armies. Four centuries later, King
Gustav and his sons converted this castle into an astonishing royal
residence that still appears as it did in 1592.
Even
before its revamp, the castle had played a crucial role in Nordic
politics. For example, the famous Kalmar Union was signed here in
1397. In 1997, the union’s 600th anniversary was celebrated
throughout the year.
Castle of Chambord, France
The
royal Chambord castle is unquestionably one of the most recognizable
castles of the world because of its unique French Renaissance
architecture, which combines the classic French beauty with the
modern medieval forms.
The
castle was primarily built to serve as a hunting lodge for the king,
who maintained his residence at the house of Amboise and Blois. The
original design of the castle is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and
Domenico da Cortona.
Windsor Castle, United Kingdom
Known
for its long association with the British Royal Family, Windsor is
the most captivating royal residence in the UK. The castle was built
in the 11th century after the invasion of England by Norman conqueror
William. The palace is the longest-occupied in Europe and has been
used by the ruling monarchs since the time of Henry I. Historians say
that the State Apartments of Castle are the finest examples of the
Georgian taste. People living in Lahore generally prefer to book
Lahore
To London Online Tickets
to
reach UK.
Currently,
more than 500 people are living and working in Windsor Castle, making
it the largest inhabited castle in the world. The castle hosts
several state visits each year, and the Elizabeth II also prefers to
spend her weekend here.
Castle of Coca, Spain
Built
in the 15th century under the supervision of the royal Castile house,
the Castle of Coca is located in central Spain and is one of the most
luxurious castles of Europe. The castle was built with bricks rather
than the stones because the surrounding areas lacked the primary
construction resources. The reddish appearance of the walls is also
due to the blocks. The structure of the castle is so astounding and
enormous that it beats the magnificence of other similar palaces.
At
present, the castle is owned by the Alva family and serves as a
training center for foresters. You can witness the ins and outs of
the castle only through a guided tour in which the guide will take
you through the keep, narrow passageways and battlements.
Aggstein Castle, Austria
Terming
this castle ruined and devastated one would not be an overstatement.
It is located on the bank of the Danube in Wachau. The ruins of the
castle can be found about 300 meters above the bank on an outcrop
running from east to west. The castle has a rock structure at both
ends, which is about 150 meters long. During the time of the
Kuenrings in the 12th century, the castle was destroyed twice.
Escape-proof
prison and a romantic chapel are the most prominent highlights for
the tourists. Other than that, you can also sit beside the serene
canal to calm your soul.
The
most famous tourist attractions of this castle are Revolutionary
Staircase and French Gardens. The double helix staircase has a
revolutionary design that truly depicts the mastery of engineering.
Similarly, the French Gardens have 800 shrubs, 600 trees, and more
than 15,250 plants that will put a charming expression on your mind.
Bottom Line
Even
though the people normally associate castles with European history,
they are actually a universal architecture found everywhere in the
world. From the outskirts of Japan to the villages of Morocco,
castles never betray depicting the historical perspective. If you are
curious about exploring the unchartered ancient territories, then
going to the castles mentioned here is a must.
