Post pictures of your favourite castles

[Leon_C]

Conwy Castle, Wales

http://i.imgur.com/dRpJVx4.jpg

Caernarfon Castle, Wales

http://i.imgur.com/9gTSMSW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ZTl6GIu.jpg

Bodiam Castle, England

http://i.imgur.com/cJ14QQ2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Kz1pcgh.jpg

Krak des Chevaliers, Syria (one I would really like to visit, that is if it doesn't get destroyed by the war)

http://i.imgur.com/4X2jZqY.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/BSBD6YQ.jpg

[Kazimiera]

Schloss Neuschwanstein, Germany

http://www.europeancastlestours.com/tours/christmas/gallery/neuschwanstein_winter_classic.jpg


Marksburg, Germany

http://www.destination360.com/europe/germany/images/s/marksburg-castle.jpg


Hohenschwangau, Germany

http://wowpics.in/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Top-10-Most-Beautiful-Castles-in-the-World5.jpg


Pfalz Castle, Germany

http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1566/X1300/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1566-071396.jpg

[Cleitus]

Kruja Castle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Kruja.jpg

[RussiaPrussia]

kremlin

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Moscow_Kremlin_from_Kamenny_bridge.jpg

[Hàkon]

Swallow's Nest, Ukraine
http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1164/557043535_c4b367583a_z.jpg


Potala Palace, Tibet.
http://www.chinamaps.info/images/Attraction/Lhasa/potala-palace.jpg


Bodiam Castle, England
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Bodiam-castle-10My8-1197.jpg

[Kazimiera]

Oh WOW Hakon! The Swallow's Nest is STUNNING!!!!!!!!!! I want to live there!


Urquhart Castle, Scotland

http://images.travelpod.com/tripwow/photos/ta-0125-7160-b580/urquhart-castle-drumnadrochit-united-kingdom+1152_13010153575-tpfil02aw-12148.jpg

I was here in December of 2001. Fuck, it was cold!!

[Comte Arnau]

Castle of Carcassona, in the Lengadoc.
http://ravensandivy.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/carca.jpg


Castle of Loarre, Aragon.
http://www.nosoloviajeros.com/imagenes/espana/Castillo-de-Loarre.jpg


Castle of Cardona, Catalonia.
http://participacio.3cat24.cat/resources/11/20090112/102608.jpg

[Hàkon]

Oh WOW Hakon! The Swallow's Nest is STUNNING!!!!!!!!!! I want to live there!


So do I.


Aleppo Citadel, Syria
http://www.the-syrian.com/wp-content/uploads/Aleppo-castle.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Aleppo_Citadel_Gate,_Aleppo,_Syria_-_jamesdale10.jpg

[hisn]

Kisimul, Hebrides
http://www.visitscotland.com/cms-images/2x1/about/nature-geography/coasts-islands/kisimul-castle-barrahttp://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/kisimul-castle-juliet-galloway.jpg

[Kazimiera]

Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa

It's more a fort than a castle. :D

http://www.thatscapetown.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/castlemain1.jpg

http://www.iziko.org.za/images/ce_cache/made/images/channel_images/423/castle-of-good-hope-exterio__large_1000_694_s_100.jpg

[Leon_C]

Oh WOW Hakon! The Swallow's Nest is STUNNING!!!!!!!!!! I want to live there!


Urquhart Castle, Scotland


I was here in December of 2001. Fuck, it was cold!!

I went around the same time of year in 2005, it was bitter, nice ruins though.

Castillo de Coca, Spain

http://i.imgur.com/Durycos.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CtfuSQL.jpg

Mont Saint-Michel, France
(doesn't really count as a castle but this place is incredible, reminds me of Minas Tirith from Lord of the Rings.)

http://i.imgur.com/IrhzsN8.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/tfF6T3l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/8ntfQ1y.jpg

[Minesweeper]

I'll post those from my country. Castles on the Danube:

Great Belgrade fortress of Kalemegdan

http://www.helivideo.rs//beograd/Kalemegdan.jpg

Fortified medieval city of Smederevo

http://images.travelpod.com/tripwow/photos/ta-00d5-b2a6-77b6/smederevska-tvrdjava-smederevo-serbia+1152_12961986553-tpfil02aw-29180.jpg

Golubac fortress, soon to be reconstructed. :)

http://www.togolubac.rs/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Goluba%C4%8Dka-tvr%C4%91ava.jpg

planned look

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2233/golubac.jpg

[Gaijin]

Castelo de Guimarães, Braga - Portugal

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8366/8368456530_08185403c6_z.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i_YdICPTytk/TDnd8sxLgGI/AAAAAAAABZ0/W083lB-rQmQ/s640/cast+guimaraes_2.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i_YdICPTytk/TDneCOPg9HI/AAAAAAAABaE/fBLaSZT3Sbg/s640/cast+guimaraes_4.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Est%C3%A1tua_de_Afonso_Henriques_e_Castelo_de_Guim ar%C3%A3es_em_Agosto_de_2010.jpg
http://i.olhares.com/data/big/302/3026680.jpg

[Graham]

Castle of Carcassona & Potala, Tibet are pretty cool.

Trying figure out the best way to siege them. :cool:

[Graham]

Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa

It's more a fort than a castle. :D


A castle is a fort. Same purpose.

Reminds me of our Fort George.

[Tomorr]

I would really love to use this small castle as my home :D

Petrela castle in central Albania

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5062/5549384133_faabddd937.jpg

http://www.webtravelmap.com/images/cities/tirana/atrakcija8.jpg

http://www.albaniantrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Petrela.jpg

http://www.vagabondtravel.ca/images/albania/Petrela_rock.jpg

http://www.ioarte.org/img/artisti/Pitura__Petrela_g.jpg

[Damião de Góis]

Almourol

http://ipt.olhares.com/data/big/146/1468264.jpg

Óbidos

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6239/6297493303_b77b4c67cb_z.jpg

Penedono

http://www.aveleira.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/castelo-penedono-alojamento-turismo-rural.jpg

Santa Maria da Feira

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/69092/castelo_da_feira_1.jpg

[Minesweeper]

Fortified Monastery of Manasija, Serbia. 15th century. Parts are not yet reconstructed, I hope they will be soon.

http://static.mojaponuda.rs/deals_images/786_749_m_manasija02.jpg

http://www.fotoreporter.rs/images/20130427230227_manasija.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6649199767_baf24561a9_z.jpg

http://www.rz1cwc.qrz.ru/rus/dxp/friends/yu-011/photo/big/Picture_188.jpg

[Ianus]

Castel del Monte
http://www.visual-italy.it/media/images/big/Bari,_CAstel_del_Monte,_castello.jpg
Maschio Angioino
http://www.ilportaledelsud.org/images/sud/diamante/sud0384.JPG
Catello del Buonconsiglio
http://www.buonconsiglio.it/var/plain_site/storage/images/oggetti-condivisi/routing-page/primo-piano/10.000-anni-di-storia-arte-e-archeologia-in-4-castelli-del-trentino/72065-7-ita-IT/10.000-anni-di-storia-arte-e-archeologia-in-4-castelli-del-Trentino_box-1.jpg

[Leon_C]

Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa

It's more a fort than a castle. :D



I suppose we can allow this, if we are posting forts in general now I would like to give Tilbury fort honorable mention, I went there and drank whiskey on the wall a week or so ago, the town is horrible but the fort is a real gem, especially when looked at from a high angle.

http://i.imgur.com/rYd7zST.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ei3oAht.jpg

[KrashNick]

Rozafa Castle

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/sq/b/ba/Shkodra_K%C3%ABshtjella_e_Rozaf%C3%ABs.jpg
http://www.pashtriku.org/fckeditor/image/rozafa/shkoder-kalaja-rozafa.jpg
http://foto.shqiperia.com/var/albums/Drini_Sema/Kalaja_e_Rozafes.jpg?m=1367094080
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/32107605.jpg

[hisn]

Burg Eltz
http://img.fotocommunity.com/images/Bearbeitungs-Techniken/Filtertechniken/Burg-Eltz-a24095376.jpg
http://img.geo.de/div/image/52999/01_burg_popup.jpg

[Furnace]

Bran Castle (Transylvania) Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bran_Castle
http://t.wallpaperweb.org/wallpaper/known_places/1600x1200/Bran_Draculas_Castle_Romania.jpg

It's the legendary castle of Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia (Vlad the Impaler), although his residence here is really a myth...

[hisn]

Eilean Donan - Loch Duich
http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/konstantin32/konstantin321210/konstantin32121003243/15854655-eilean-donan-castle-scotland-uk.jpg
http://media.fourjandals.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Eilean-Donan-Castle-Scotland.jpg
http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/eilean-donan-castle-guido-tramontano-guerritore.jpg

[alfieb]

http://www.grahamcolemanphotography.net/cdata/9223/img/9223_2919974i.jpg
Caccamo castle.

Town and castle both of Norman origin.

[Minesweeper]

Corvin Castle, built by John Hunyadi. Beautiful Gothic architecture.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Hunyad_Castle_TB1.jpg/800px-Hunyad_Castle_TB1.jpg

[KrashNick]

Kruja Castle

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Castle_Eagle_Kruja.JPG
http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/5575/67jk.jpg
http://www.vacationhomes.net/blog/pub/Kruja-Castle.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/1994825007_aa67cd2597_b.jpg

[Not a Cop]

San't Angelo, Roma
http://s020.radikal.ru/i713/1307/2c/eefce1a03a4e.jpg (http://radikal.ru/fp/75723df6a1b64cba80b5871ad6464dc3)
http://s017.radikal.ru/i413/1307/25/cfb64fc9e43b.jpg (http://radikal.ru/fp/f2281d881c3d49cabd00e22cc3c64914)
http://s017.radikal.ru/i433/1307/d8/957abdabc512.jpg (http://radikal.ru/fp/3f265bab1a324c19980d231454a13d21)

Monco's Castle
http://s018.radikal.ru/i501/1307/cd/2f5ed6b5422f.jpg (http://radikal.ru/fp/e9b59ed2be9040d19fc55b7adc183110)
http://s43.radikal.ru/i101/1307/1d/85646c3e9b67.jpg (http://radikal.ru/fp/0b221706fe0d485ea2cf0dcbcdd47632)
http://s018.radikal.ru/i501/1307/cd/2f5ed6b5422f.jpg (http://radikal.ru/fp/e9b59ed2be9040d19fc55b7adc183110)
http://s44.radikal.ru/i103/1307/27/a4aa62472803.jpg (http://radikal.ru/fp/1cc94767ca1e48fc8a875ecda5b6b6d6)

I'm not really into the decorative castles of New times, i like hardcore medieval ones more

[Hàkon]

Caerlaverock Castle, Scotland
http://marilynsworld.com/images/Photos/Scotland/Caerlaverock%20Castle%202.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Caerlaverock_Castle_from_the_air_1.jpeg

http://carneycastle.com/Caerlaverock/1640life.jpg

[Ianus]

Castello Sforzesco, Milan
http://hotelcanova.it/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/sforzinda-castello-sforzesco3.jpg
http://www.cercamilano.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Visite-guidate-al-Castello-Sforzesco.jpg

[Cristiano viejo]

I am from Castilla y León. Castilla means Land of Castles :thumb001::cool:
ok I go with my favourite castles

Alcázar de Segovia. The castle is one of the inspirations for Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle.
I visited this castle three months ago and the interior is simply spectacular. The best castle that exist in Spain no doubt:

http://josamotril.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/alczar1.jpg
http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/spanishjohnny72/spanishjohnny721204/spanishjohnny72120400018/13183021-segovia--alcazar.jpg


Castle of Santa Bárbara, Alicante. The views of the city of Alicante from the castle are impressive.

http://www.aireg.es/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/vista-desde-el-castillo-de-santa-barbara-alicante.jpg


Castle of Manzanares el Real, Madrid

http://www.viajarporespana.net/sites/viajarporespana.net/files/Castillo-nuevo-de-Manzanares-el-Real1.jpg


Castle of Buen Amor, Salamanca. Currently it´s a hotel.

http://hconalgomasquencanto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/castillo-del-buen-amor.jpg



Templar Castle, Ponferrada

http://www.españaescultura.es/export/sites/cultura/multimedia/galerias/propuestas_culturales/castillo_temple_ponferrada_t2400277.jpg_1306973099 .jpg


Spanish Castle of L´Aquila, Italia

http://2.0viajes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/800px-Castello_500-Foto-de-LIAP-Wikimedia-Commons.jpg


Spanish Castle of San Marcos, Florida, USA. Very similar structure to the former castle.

http://www.augustine.com/images/staugustine_business/original/castillo_west_aerial_5x3.jpg


Castle of Bran, Romania

http://josamotril.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/castillo-de-bran.jpg



Hohenschwangau Castle, Germany. Near Neuschswanstein Castle

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Hohenschwangau-softeis1.jpg/800px-Hohenschwangau-softeis1.jpg


Ambras Castle, Austria:

http://www.hotel-seppl.at/asp_service/upload/content/02_055(2).jpg


Lichtenstein Castle, Germany

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Schloss_Lichtenstein_04-2010.jpg/800px-Schloss_Lichtenstein_04-2010.jpg

[Kazimiera]

I LOVE this thread!! :love0033:

[Leon_C]

Pena National Palace, Portugal

Not sure if it's one of my favourites just because it is a little on the colourful side, not sure if it counts as a castle either but I have been there and the location and views are stunning!

http://i.imgur.com/KlZFc9Z.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FIMcRWp.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/gGJCqcs.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/q3cL7hZ.jpg

[Graham]

That is a beautiful Castle & the Castle surroundings mean a lot also.

[Graham]

Stirling Castle is my favourite lowland Scots Castle.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2378/2067069552_e2e771a9bd_o.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5028/5751588522_67e2c0a486_b.jpg
http://dmc.thebookingroom.com/Images/fullDayTours/Stirling.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img585/489/4wvl.pnghttp://imageshack.us/a/img32/2478/n85a.pnghttp://farm4.staticflickr.com/3003/2978910427_8c87f9f42b_z.jpg?zz=1

[Ianus]

Aragonese castle of Ischia
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Ischia_Castello_Aragonese.jpg
Castle of Lagopesole
http://www.turismo.it/fnts/viaggi24/immagini/520x400/Lagopesole_castello-5504703.jpg
Castle of Melfi
http://www.aicanet.it/aica/ecdl-new-media/newscontestuali/melfi4.jpg

[Corvus]

Heidenreichstein in Lower Austria:

http://austria-forum.org/attach/AEIOU/Heidenreichstein/Heidenreichstein1.jpg

http://www.geo.de/reisen/community/bild/regular/380292/Burg-Heidenreichstein.jpg

http://kola.netix.cz/1997_1/images/heidenreichstein.jpg

[Corvus]

Karlstejn in Bohemia:

http://www.prague-information.eu/dsgn/old_img/Pics/Flights/karlstejn-heli1.jpg

http://www.bohemianshuttles.cz/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Karlstejn_089_-_hrad.jpg

http://www.czechtourism.com/getmedia/2292e8b7-365c-4796-b71e-c9c72dee0db3/c-karlstejn-castle-1.jpg.aspx?width=800&height=450&ext=.jpg&maxsidesize=800

[Corvus]

Kreuzenstein in Lower Austria:

http://www.worlds.ru//photo/austria_010720121602_1.jpg

http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/assets/93869/Burg.jpg

[Corvus]

Burg Taufers - South Tyrol:

http://www.burgeninstitut.com/u/images/taufers/taufers_PICT0039.jpg

http://www.clasohm.com/photodb/img/12908-md.jpg

http://www.steinhauswirt.com/uploads/media/Burg-Taufers-2.jpg

[Hercus Monte]

Panemunė Castle

http://www.autobusai.lt/app/webroot/uploads/userfiles/files/raudenes%20pilis.jpg



http://www.turizmokatalogas.lt/nuotraukos/objektai/panemunes_pilis/panemunes_pilis_600.jpg

http://www.heritage.lt/epd/2001/epd01_4.jpg

[MelinusMargos]

Castello di sirmione

http://castelli.qviaggi.it/images/stories/jreviews/366_castellosirmione_1202441279.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwpPLoWsW3U/UQGIcRET_LI/AAAAAAAATpM/L2gBw9-rNhE/s640/1.jpg
http://rete.comuni-italiani.it/foto/2009/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/69805-800x550-500x343.jpg

[Vasa]

Königstein

http://www.reisefuehrer-deutschland.de/bilder-tipps/sachsen/festung-koenigstein.jpg

http://www.nakovarne.com/images/fullsize/konigstein_letadlo.jpg

Walls on this bitch is like 42 meters high and it has Europes second deepest well in Europe (152,5 metre deep).

[Sisak]

Tvrdalj is the fortified summer residence of Petar Hektorović, the Croatian poet (1487-1572), renaissance building.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tvrdalj_Castle

http://i40.tinypic.com/2d27p6x.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2qiuw79.jpg

[Fortis in Arduis]

Castle Drogo is a country house near Drewsteignton, Devon, England. It was built in the 1910s and 1920s for Julius Drewe (businessman and founder of the Home and Colonial Stores) to designs by architect Edwin Lutyens, and is a Grade I listed building. Castle Drogo was the last castle to be built in England, and probably the last private house in the country to be built entirely of granite.

Julius Drewe's first cousin was Richard Peek, the rector of Drewsteignton, named after Drogo de Teigne, and alleged forefather to the Drewes. Julius stayed on several occasions with his cousin and it must have been here that he conceived the idea of building a castle on the home ground of his ancestor. He found an ideal site, and in 1910 he bought about 450 acres (1.8 km2) south and west of the village (By the time of his death in 1931 he had bought up an estate of 1,500 acres). He then went to Edwin Lutyens, one of the most interesting architects of the time, and asked him to build his castle. According to his son Basil, he did so on the advice of William Hudson, proprietor of the Country Life Magazine, who was both a patron and a champion of Lutyens. Drewe was now 54 years old, but he still had time, energy and money to create his new family seat. On 4 April 1911, Drewe's 55th birthday, the first foundation stone was laid.

Construction

The castle took many years to complete, with the First World War and the economic downturn causing many delays. Castle Drogo was finally completed in 1930, considerably reduced in scale from Lutyens's 1911 designs, and only a year before Julius died; he had, however, been able to live in the house since around 1925.

Features of the building

The stately home borrows styles of castle building from the medieval and Tudor periods, along with more minimalist contemporary approaches. A notable feature is the encasement of the service staircase, around which the main staircase climbs. Its defensive characteristics are essentially decorative. Additionally, the castle had electricity and lifts from the outset, with power being supplied by two turbines on the river below.

http://www.springfieldmeadows.co.uk/images/castle_drogo.jpg

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/Pictures/web/c/b/h/drogoScullery_ntplDG_web.jpg

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/Pictures/web/t/u/q/Drogo_stairs_ntpl.jpg

http://lowres-picturecabinet.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/115/main/5/348579.jpg

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=image%2Fjpeg&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&blobheadername2=MDT-Type&blobheadername3=Content-Type&blobheadervalue1=inline%3B+filename%3D787%252F562% 252Fntpl_164035_thumb_460x0%252C0.jpg&blobheadervalue2=abinary%3B+charset%3DUTF-8&blobheadervalue3=image%2Fjpeg&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1349105921301&ssbinary=true

http://lowres-picturecabinet.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/115/main/5/348568.jpg

http://lowres-picturecabinet.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/115/main/15/359662.jpg

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/pictures/741x405/9/7/5/1725975_Drogo_web_2.jpg

http://lowres-picturecabinet.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/115/main/14/359392.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4030/5131157751_44e63203eb_z.jpg

http://thefabweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/The-other-view-of-the-dining-room-@-Castle-Drogo.-The-last-castle-built-in-England-completed-1930.-Drewsteignton-Devon-England.jpg

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1228/5131144051_06a0bfde93_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5131139335_01ee1fd257.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LU_e5Zk0ec/UWQB6qJJ5oI/AAAAAAAAGWk/2JSCR3cjYKo/s320/drogo3.png

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDBCK1TV1aU/UWQB6jlE6BI/AAAAAAAAGWg/ZCI31QbA4Uc/s320/drogo+7.png

[Aladdin]

Castle of the Snakes

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Yilankale1.jpg/800px-Yilankale1.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C4%B1lankale

[Roy]

Ogrodzieniec

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/Ogrodzieniec_gothic_castle_ruins.jpg

http://www.pascal.pl/baza/polska/slaskie/03/ogrodzieniec_018048_digit_k.jpg

http://www.krakowskieokolice.pl/wp-content/gallery/zamek-ogrodzieniec/dziedziniec-zamek-ogrodzieniec.jpg

http://gdziebylec.pl/files/images/Odkrywamy_nieodkryte/Ogrodzieniec/ogrodzieniec1.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/Castle_in_Ogrodzieniec_winter.JPG

Mont Saint-Michel

http://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/docs/5818-12-der-mont-saint-michel-normandie-c-syndicat-mixte-de-la-baie-imagence-3d-jpg.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Mont_Saint_Michel_bordercropped.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SdeCEEVKzQY/SH-Uc0gk5KI/AAAAAAAAHOU/8VmQvXhWAYA/Brittany-5334_5_6.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/200506_-_Mont_Saint-Michel_30_-_Ramparts.JPG

[Roy]

Clifden Catle in Ireland.

http://grandcanyon.free.fr/images/chateau/original/Clifden%20Castle,%20County%20Galway,%20Ireland.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Clifden_Castle_front.jpg

[Hercus Monte]

Trakai Island Castle

http://www.efoto.lt/files/images/12382/mop%20HDR%20maza2.jpg

http://fotokudra.lt/files/I118354.jpg

http://www.markizas.lt/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/trakai-pilis.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Trakai_Island_Castle_2.jpg

[Leon_C]

Dover castle

http://i.imgur.com/sBYOGoI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2arkZ5c.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/RFzvZ2G.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/C1bDPQk.jpg

[hisn]

http://s5.postimg.org/7sbx8tal3/image.png
http://s5.postimg.org/sdvaeghjr/image.pngSchloss Drachenburg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6931599241_85039489be_z.jpg
http://www.heise.de/imagine/arXTwiHkfKdlZD82aMiThdWetiM/gallery/Schloss-Drachenburg.jpg

[Rudel]

The "castle situation" in France is pretty sad. While we originally had the highest density of them, they went through the war of a Hundred Years, the wars of religion and especially the Revolution.
There are only so much of any dignity left. Hundreds of places essential for our history are now ruins.

Vincennes (just the central defensive moat, still the highest flatland dungeon in Europe)
http://www.all-free-photos.com/images/chateaux-7/PI42851-hr.jpg

Papal palace of Avignon :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Avignon%2C_Palais_des_Papes_depuis_Tour_Philippe_l e_Bel_by_JM_Rosier.jpg

Castle of Tarascon :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Tarascon_Le_Chateau.jpg

Citadel of Sisteron :
http://www.hotel-lacitadelle.com/img/diapo/2.jpg

The lovely castle of Arnoux (much more characteristic of actual average strongholds) :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Château_de_Château-Arnoux_-193.jpg

Beynac :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Beynac_chateau_1.jpg

Vitré :
http://www.vacancesvuesdublog.fr/wp-content/uploads/6-Chateau-de-Vitre.jpg

Foix :
http://www.grands-sites-ariege.fr/images/gsa/content_place/gsa-5-4e8f1d071ccee.jpg

Gombervaux (a favorite of mine) :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Gombervaux.jpg

Chinon :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Château_de_Chinon_vu_de_la_Vienne.jpg

Pesteil :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/Chateau_de_Pesteil.jpg

Sedan (by far the biggest European Medieval castle, considering Mareinburg has had changes over time) :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Chateau_de_Sedan.JPG
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Hôtel_du_Château-fort_de_Sedan.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Sedan_-_Château_-_Tours_jumelles,_échauguette_et_Grosse_tour.JPG

[Ianus]

Gradara Castle, where Paolo and Francesca died
http://www.galleriaborghese.it/nuove/images/gradara.jpg

[Rudel]

The very ancient castle of Mayenne (founded during the VIIIth century, the rectangular part dates from the beginning of the Xth century) :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Mayenne_-_Castle_-_2.jpg

Fougères, facing Mayenne (Mayenne was garding the border against the Bretons, Fougères against the Franks) :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Fougeres_ch_teau1.jpg

Laval :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Château_de_Laval_49.JPG

Anjony :
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq1uQk6zOWg/UT8cS9w4G8I/AAAAAAAAImk/i0J5aCFwhYg/s1600/194_chateau-d-anjony_tournemire.jpg

Combourg :
http://www.all-free-photos.com/images/chateaux-6/PI16613-hr.jpg

Rochechouart :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Rochechouart_-_Château_-1.JPG

Chalûcet, a jewel that became a romantic ruin :
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/19906194.jpg

Chazey :
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/7993354764_2d4c6a7039_b.jpg

The Tours de Merle, same thing as Chalûcet :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Tours_de_merle_-_france_-_corrèze.JPG

Boussac :
http://www.tourismecreuse.com/IMG/jpg/boussac_jdamase_4941.jpg

Jouillat :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Château_de_Jouillat.jpg

Saumur :
http://a133.idata.over-blog.com/5/70/48/31/SAUMUR/chateau_saumur6.jpg

La Rochefoucauld, an all-time favorite :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Château_de_La_Rochefoucauld_-_Aile_Sud_-1.JPG

Aigues Mortes :
http://www.lemasdesvignesacalvisson.com/ima/galeries/aigues_mortes2/aigues_mortes_09.jpg

Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon :
http://www.closevents.com/photos/_v1/14352visite-commanderie-templiere-et-hospitaliere-sainte-eulalie-de-cernon.jpg

Curemonte :
http://www.surleplateau.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/07-04-12-curemonte-xxl.jpg

I've tried to kept it within the range of Medieval fortifications (except for Sisteron). "Castle" has a much wider sense in French than in English.

[Aurora]

Eilean Donan Caslte, Scotland

http://allthingscruise.com/wp-content/uploads/Eilean-Donan-Castle.jpg
http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/139/d/9/d9bbb79fa59d824e9eae46175a52505e-d3bgfaz.jpg
http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs38/f/2008/359/c/4/c4a7b13b0639732a04aa2f66ece10997.jpg

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/Neuschwanstein_Castle_LOC_print_rotated.jpg
http://leahlin.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Neuschwanstein_Castle.jpg
http://www.popularwealth.com/images/neuschwanstein-winter.jpg


Werfen Castle, Austria

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/37347442.jpg
http://anuradhasarup.com/images/port_europe/euro025.jpg

[Ianus]

Forte di Gavi
http://www.beniarchitettonicipiemonte.it/sbappno/images/stories/documenti/2013/forte_di_gavi.jpg

[Sisak]

I think this is most beautiful castle in Croatia - castle Trakostan. Trakošćan [trakɔʃtɕan] (also pronounced Trakostyan) is a castle located in northern Croatia (in the Varaždin County) that dates back to the 13th century.

http://i57.tinypic.com/2dugfom.jpg

[Leon_C]

Arundel Castle, Sussex

http://i.imgur.com/kem5mbo.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SSi2hU7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Pv1PcxM.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jrYwVje.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/JT6GETb.jpg

[Kami]

Matsumoto Castle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Matsumoto_Castle05s5s4592.jpg

Aizuwakamatsu Castle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tsuruga_Castle_2007.jpg

Gifu Castle
http://www.japanese-castle-explorer.com/pictures/Gifu01.jpg

Nagoya Castle
http://www.helloholidays.com.my/media/2013/03/Nagoya-Japan.jpg

[Kami]

Maruoka Castle is probably my absolute favorite castle. It was built in 1576 and it has an instantly recognizable tenshu (keep).

Legend says that when an enemy approaches, a thick mist appears and hides the castle, giving it the name 'Mist Castle'.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Maruoka_Castle_20100529-01.jpg

[MellowD]

Peles Castle, Romania

http://s13.postimg.org/a51c52sqv/10363372_778140705558994_1505315545485814794_n.jpg

Balmoral Castle, Scotland

http://s15.postimg.org/erwqhozzf/Balmoral_Castle_Scotland.jpg

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

http://s1.postimg.org/8gsnq4fzz/Castle_Neuschwanstein.jpg

Corvin Castle, Romania

http://s26.postimg.org/6evayf5kp/hunedoara_castle_wallpaper_2_other.jpg

Mont Saint-Michel, France

http://s26.postimg.org/t25yqtvqx/Mont_St_Michel_3_Brittany_France_July_2011.jpg

[♥ Lily ♥]

Gosh, there's so many beautiful castles and palaces I love the look of in Europe and Russia... where do we start? *o*

Warwick Castle by the River Avon. (English castles tend to be less decorative and ornamental than French castles, but English castles were designed for the purposes of serving as functional defence fortresses, and they do possess much interesting history and legends attached to them, like with the Tower(s) of London).
https://sp3.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608009245769992359&pid=15.1 https://sp3.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.607993826838643843&pid=15.1
Warwick Castle served as a medieval fortress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9O37Tn9bsI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9zwXB9fZDU
Bodiam Castle in Kent still has a drawbridge, defensive moat, portcullis entrance, trap grids which were used for pouring hot oil onto trapped visitors, dungeons and slitted windows for shooting arrows, and the roof was ideal for hiding and shooting arrows at enemies. It was the first castle I was taken to see at my primary school, so for me, it personally holds a lot of sentimental attachment to this place.
https://sp3.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608019137081312951&pid=15.1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbiCr51xxM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Y2OPWCxNs

[♥ Lily ♥]

I adore the ornamental chateaux of the Loire Valley in France.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICKb-lUhmKI
The interior of this French castle is equally as charming and jaw-dropping as its exterior beauty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FedS37oRJE
Wales... the castle capital of the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th5Jwhn45tM
Glamis Castle, Angus, Scotland (a lot of Scottish castles have crystal-clear mirror lakes surrounding them, reflecting their beauty like a mirror in the lake).
I particularly like the atmosphere and surroundings and architectural beauty of this Scottish castle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQckBgR-E98
Germany has a lot of stunning Bavarian castles, but the Neuschwanstein Castle is my personal favourite from this beautiful collection of German and also Swiss castles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLe37M4xFk4

[♥ Lily ♥]

My favourite castle (in terms of it's beauty and aesthetic qualities) is the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, which resembles a magical fairytale castle (especially being perched amongst the snow-capped mountains). It also looks breathtaking in the various seasons and from many different angles too... Spring, Summer, Autumn, and also in my favourite season of Wintertime.
https://sp2.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.607994711606757286&pid=15.1 https://sp3.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608044460206065811&pid=15.1
https://sp2.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608023101331539822&pid=15.1 https://sp1.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608024742014225025&pid=15.1
https://sp1.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608042042142821913&pid=15.1 https://sp3.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608043747242216483&pid=15.1
https://sp2.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608002524151939962&pid=15.1 https://sp1.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608023891605782801&pid=15.1
:fdgd:http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9S23FJIA74/UQC20zUhDxI/AAAAAAAABTE/nyVRpGnXGS4/s1600/Neuschwanstein+Castle+%288%29.jpg:smilie_liebe9:
Beautiful backdrop too.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQtH0LQ28oI/T3pdzROSaOI/AAAAAAAABTU/0dfJwrJMobM/s1600/neuschwanstein-castle-in-germany.jpg:love0022:
I could look at this castle all day, it's so beautiful. So many gorgeous pictures I'd love to share, but I think that should be enough! :embarrassed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C0sAKsATCk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N8XvvMWCpQ
Apologies for the yodeling on the audio of this video... :lalala: ...you've been forewarned that you might wish to mute the sound... unless, of course, you like yodeling. :p

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHzefouE_y0

[Hjalt]

Alnarp Castle in Skåne:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3219/3282512076_2c9f1f86cb_b.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ClIPyII.jpg

Teleborg castle, Småland county:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8217160960_6465c1a0e4_b.jpg
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/64741104.jpg

[Hithaeglir]

Le chateau de Chenonceaux.

http://cij.valdoise.fr/voyage/wp-content/uploads/le-chateau-de-chenonceau_940x705.jpg
http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/43237/chenonceau.jpg

And it's amazing inside.You have the impression that you are floating.

[Luovatus]

Turku Castle
http://teecards.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/kortti25.jpg?w=440&h=312

St. Olaf's Castle
http://www.turisti-info.fi/upload/articles/big/img4e1151f93ce489.55567490.jpg

Häme Castle
http://www.mattigronroos.fi/Galleries/Hameen_vesistot/Hameenlinna_20050521-203811-0107.jpg

[Roy]

Zamek Moszna

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Zamek_w_Mosznej_%C5%82adny.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Zamek_Moszna_-_ty%C5%82y_zamku.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/16047690.jpg

http://digart.img.digart.pl/data/img/vol7/30/18/download/7159719.jpg

http://www.mapofpoland.pl/zdjecia-18248/Lew-przy-zamku-Moszna.jpg


http://s3.flog.pl/media/foto/2440943_moszna-wnetrze-zamku.jpg

[♥ Lily ♥]

There's so many beautiful castles from different nations on this thread, but I really like the look of Zamek Moszna.
That is an extremely gorgeous castle with a lot of intricate character to the stunning exterior, the elegant interior and the surrounding gardens and fountain.
May I ask where it is located please?

[Kazimiera]

Castle Howard, England

http://cdn.earthporm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/1.__Castle_Howard_by_Pwojdacz.jpg

Situated just north of York, England, Castle Howard was built between 1699 and 1712 for the third Earl of Carlisle. As the name suggests, it has been the home of the Howard family since its creation. At the time it was built the magnificent castle sat amidst and estate of 13,000 acres which included several villages.


Château de Chambord, France

http://cdn.earthporm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2._Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Chambord_by_Elementerre.jpg

Château de Chambord is one of the most beautiful and distinctive renaissance buildings in the Valley of the Loire, France. Construction was started by Francis I in 1519, and was completed in 1547 and since then the castle has been a common retreat for French kings.


Peleș Castle, Romania

http://cdn.earthporm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/3._Pele%C8%99_Castle_Tiberiu_Sahlean.jpg

Consisting of more than 160 rooms, Peleș Castle is considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Europe and is the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs. The magnificent structure is built of wood, stone, bricks and marble and within its walls you’ll find one of the most valuable art collections in Europe which consists of almost 2,000 pieces.


Catherine Palace, Russia

http://cdn.earthporm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/4._Catherine_Palace_by_J_Huffman.jpg

Built as the summer residence for Russian tsars, Catherine Palace is arguably one of the grandest structures in the world. It was originally commissioned in 1717 by Catherine I of Russia but was demolished and rebuilt in the 1750s by, Empress Elizabeth. Construction on the new palace lasted for four years and in July 1956 the 325 meter long palace was finally complete. During construction over 100 kilograms of gold were used to guild various statues throughout the palace, making it truly fir for royalty.


Lichtenstein Castle, Germany

http://cdn.earthporm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/5._Lichtenstein_Castle_by_Christian_Bobadilla.jpg

History tells us that there has been a castle on the site of Lichtenstein Castle since the year 1200 however over the years the buildings have twice been destroyed and rebuilt. The current castle which stands promptly on the cliff face was build between 1840-1842 with its distinctive neo-gothic design.


Mont Saint Michel, France

http://cdn.earthporm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/6._Mont_Saint_Michel_by_M_Diliff.jpg

Mont Saint Michel is often considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in the world. It sits on a rocky tidal island in Normandy about one kilometre off the coast. Due to the strong tides which surrounds the island the castle is cut off from the mainland for a time each day. While the population of the island is only a few dozen, more than three million people visit this amazing castle each year.


Bran Castle, Romania

http://cdn.earthporm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/7._Bran_Castle_by_S_Florin1.jpg

Commonly known as Dracula’s Castle, Bran Castle is a 14th century fortress built amidst seven acres of forest and sitting atop a 200 foot tall precipice. In 1462 Vlad the Impaler (the man who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula) was captured in Bran Castle by the Hungarian army and imprisoned there. Within the walls of the castle lies a grand inner courtyard and beneath the site are many underground passageways that connect a lot of the rooms.


Chateau de Versailles, France

http://cdn.earthporm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/8._Chateau_de_Versailles_by_Marc_Vassal.jpg

Situated just outside of Paris, Chateau de Versailles is a truly magnificent building. The earliest mention of Versailles can be found in a document dated 1038 and over the centuries what was once a small hunting lodge was expanded by various French monarchs into one of the largest palaces in the world. Within the walls of the Chateau de Versailles lie an incredible 700 rooms, 2,000 windows, 6,000 paintings and 5,000 pieces of furniture.


Source: http://www.earthporm.com/8-amazing-castles-wont-believe-real/

[Roy]

There's so many beautiful castles from different nations on this thread, but I really like the look of Zamek Moszna.
That is an extremely gorgeous castle with a lot of intricate character to the stunning exterior, the elegant interior and the surrounding gardens and fountain.
May I ask where it is located please?


Yeah gardens are absolutely beautiful, especially now when all azaleas & rhododendrons begin to bloom.

http://www.zielonyogrodek.pl/images/media2/264311.jpg

Moszna is here.


http://hatmik.republika.pl/foto/moszna/mapka_moszna.jpg


Some other castle (Nowy Wiśnicz), also in Southern Poland.

http://www.muzeum.bochnia.pl/v2008/images/stories/dzialy/sztuka/architektura/archit.wisnicz.jpg

http://www.chatawlesie.pl/kronika/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Nowy-Wi%C5%9Bnicz-zamek2.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Zamek_Nowy_Wi%C5%9Bnicz_z_powietrza_1.jpg

http://nowy_wisnicz.fotopolska.eu/foto/294/294506.jpg

http://nowy_wisnicz.fotopolska.eu/foto/451/451580.jpg

http://wojsko.fotopolska.eu/foto/450/450130.jpg

http://nowy_wisnicz.fotopolska.eu/foto/451/451574.jpg

http://img3.garnek.pl/a.garnek.pl/023/212/23212131_800.0.jpg/wnetrze-zamku-w-nowym-wisniczu.jpg

http://fotopolska.eu/foto/451/451561.jpg

http://cms.odyssei.com/gallery/632/120000419814568_0_nowy_wisnicz_23.jpg

http://www.odyssei.com/files/relacje/nowy-wisnicz-wnetrza-zamku_W500_134395.jpg



Gniew Castle in Northern Poland.

http://www.thecity.com.pl/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/hotele/wiadomosci/przebudowa-zamku-w-gniewie-dla-potrzeb-hotelowo-konferencyjnych/zamek-w-gniewie/zamek-w-gniewie-widok-z-lotu-ptaka/118821-1-pol-PL/Zamek-w-Gniewie-widok-z-lotu-ptaka.jpg

http://img.polskieszlaki.pl/zdjecia/ania/gniew_zamek8.jpg

http://www.e-sylwester.pl/galerie/1093/sylwester2.jpg

http://img3.garnek.pl/a.garnek.pl/017/046/17046290_800.0.jpg/wnetrze-zamku-w-gniewie-14-08.jpg

[Graham]

The Argyll Castles are my favourite, for the amount of small anient castle and ruins. All within this small area with different clan histories, here are some.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usfeatures/areas/maps/argyll1890.gif

Castle Tioram/Caisteal Tioram -- Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1127/777525871_8e20e63650_o.jpghttp://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/irnbru293/Lochranza2_zps0d8735c2.jpg
Castle Stalker/Caisteal an Stalcaire -- Clan MacDougall , Clan Stewart & Clan Campbellhttps://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/9850874914_ef3b3cb3b2_b.jpg
Duart Castle/Caisteal Dhubhairt -- Clan MacLean https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/8798055186_3c00fc9787_b.jpghttps://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/9163790113_cebc83611a_b.jpg
Dunstaffnage Castle -- MacDougall lords of Lorn & Clan Campbell http://www.visitscotland.com/cms-images/5x3-large/regions/argyll-isles/dunstaffnage-castle
Kilchurn Castle -- Clan MacGregor of Glenstrae & Clan Campbell http://www.gunnarherrmann.de/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Kilchurn-Castle-2.jpghttp://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/argyll/2_7/2_7_3l.JPG
Moy Castle -- Clan Maclean & Clan Campbellhttp://farm2.staticflickr.com/1209/751726291_e6a412d31d_z.jpg
Dunollie castle/ Dùn Ollaigh -- kingdom of Dál Riata, Kingdom of the Isles & Clan MacDougall
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/9647584025_d9da080865_c.jpghttps://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/10897215935_47b6b9ede1_b.jpg
Gylen Castle -- Clan MacDougallhttps://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/9445519577_9b78b4fcee_b.jpg
Skipness Castle -- Clan MacSweenhttps://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6515590015_03a93d6ef4_b.jpg

[Graham]

Places like Castle Howard. Aren't real castles built for defensive reasons. More like Palaces and Stately homes, to show off to the world. Nice looking but not a castle. :P Even that Lichtenstein Castle is a bit fake being a 19th century build, unless it was a restoration of the old design.

Anything built after the 18th century aint a real castle in my eyes.

[Luovatus]

Places like Castle Howard. Aren't real castles built for defensive reasons. More like Palaces and Stately homes, to show off to the world. Nice looking but not a castle. :P Even that Lichtenstein Castle is a bit fake being a 19th century build, unless it was a restoration of the old design.

True, good point with that one...very smart of you Graham :p

[Smaug]

Dunnottar Castle, Scotland

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-KFFo7UVC8/UG90hw4cXII/AAAAAAAATZQ/ViYd5ZZ-0AU/s1600/dunottar02.jpg

[Roy]

Places like Castle Howard. Aren't real castles built for defensive reasons. More like Palaces and Stately homes, to show off to the world. Nice looking but not a castle. :P Even that Lichtenstein Castle is a bit fake being a 19th century build, unless it was a restoration of the old design.

Anything built after the 18th century aint a real castle in my eyes.

Many building in this thread are not castles in real sense as they lacked military function, for example the Moszna and Neuschwantzein ones were built in XIX century as stylised palaces. But I see nothing wrong in posting all that.

[Tchek]

Castles from my region:

Château de Franchimont, 11th century, in ruins:
http://www.visite.be/upload/places/75/27dqhjq61f6sgowk4w.jpg
http://static0.7sur7.be/static/photo/2012/1/0/8/20120816064450/media_xll_5090633.jpg
http://www.mini-ardenne.be/pix/etiquettes/image/FMT.jpg

Château de Noisy, abandoned, now a popular urbex area (to be demolished).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/3770402166_0b466bca6e.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/C%C3%B4t%C3%A9chateaunoisy.jpg/1024px-C%C3%B4t%C3%A9chateaunoisy.jpg

Château de Veves, 7th century destroyed many times, then rebuilt:

http://s1.e-monsite.com/2010/07/02/10/veves1.jpg

Château de Crupet, 11th century:
http://www.excursion.be/images/assesse6.JPG

Château de Walzin, 11th century:
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/41246999.jpg

[Prince Of Macrobia]

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany.
http://i60.tinypic.com/2dqvwz.jpg

[Graham]

Castles from my region:

Château de Noisy, abandoned, now a popular urbex area (to be demolished).


That's a shame. Reminds me of the Victorian designed mansions here. We have a few empties like that, most are used as Hotels. if not still in ancestral ownership.

Considering the rubbish buildings throughout Europe built post-ww2. Anything kept is good.

[Tchek]

That's a shame. Reminds me of the Victorian designed mansions here. We have a few empties like that, most are used as Hotels. if not still in ancestral ownership.

Considering the rubbish buildings throughout Europe built post-ww2. Anything kept is good.

Yep, it's no accident it looks like Victorian mansions, because it was damaged during the French revolution and was partially rebuilt afterward by an English architect called Edward Milner.
There is a tendancy these days to destroy historical buildings in order to build soulless BS buildings instead.

This place is now a popular Urbex area; the interior is quite eerie:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6962117225_f8bf5cdb6c_b.jpg
http://residualknowledge.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/6951580295_0f22871bf4_z1.jpg
https://yy2.staticflickr.com/3692/9032782261_5874d4476e_z.jpg

[Feral]

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_livb5v9DHv1qc270u.jpg

There aren't castles in the new world. :c

[Luovatus]

Turku Castle
http://teecards.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/kortti25.jpg?w=440&h=312

St. Olaf's Castle
http://www.turisti-info.fi/upload/articles/big/img4e1151f93ce489.55567490.jpg

Häme Castle
http://www.mattigronroos.fi/Galleries/Hameen_vesistot/Hameenlinna_20050521-203811-0107.jpg



Suomenlinna (what´s left of it)
http://static2.visitfinland.com/wp-content/uploads/MG_4563_Suomenlinna_c_Jussi_Hellsten_4607-930x523.jpg


Raaseporin linna
http://www.raseborg.fi/allatidersraseborg/components/com_joomgallery/img_originals//raseborg_slott_6/linna_ilmasta_20100422_2054027604.jpg


Kastelholman linna
http://media.advisortravel.netdna-cdn.com/657x340px-mp_6406f66605176e1a12f0a3630de4c69e.jpg

[Roy]

Ogrodzieniec. Only ruins ... but chalk/stone combination makes it beautiful :)

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/7/11436/z11436037V,Zamki-i-palace--Polska--Zamek-Ogrodzieniec-na-Szlaku.jpg

http://washandgo.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/zamki_palace_max1.jpg

http://fotopolska.eu/foto/327/327454.jpg


http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/0/11452/z11452020V,Zamki--warownie--palace-i-dwory-budza-wiele-emocji.jpg





Wawel castle (Kraków)

http://www.krakow4u.pl/wawel/wawel_006_d.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Krakow_Wawel_20070804_0930.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Krakow_Wawel_20070920_1299.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Wawel_Krakow_June_2006_002.jpg

http://krakow.fotopolska.eu/foto/360/360090.jpg

http://www.museo.pl/images/wystawy/142wysta0.jpg

http://encyklopediaksiazek.cba.pl/Wiki/images/0/04/Sala_poselska.jpg

http://fotokresy.pl/foto/360/360091.jpg

Gołuchów

http://www.pleszew.starostwo.gov.pl/galerie/23/77/1248.jpg

http://img.polskieszlaki.pl/zdjecia/slonko78/park-w-goluchowie_804.jpg

http://gdziebylec.pl/files/images/Odkrywamy_nieodkryte/Goluchow/goluchow-zamek2.jpg

http://www.galeriawielkopolska.info/zdjecia/goluchow/wnetrza/goluchow28.jpg

Będzin

http://miastapolski.blox.pl/resource/m_zam_bedzin_p11.jpg

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/8895/zameknoc.jpg

http://gfx.mmka.pl/newsph/244875/132554.3.jpg

[Peter Nirsch]

http://eswalls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/castle1-1.jpg

http://www.pizzatravel.com.ua/uploads/9224.jpg

[HellLander87]

Platamon castle

http://s27.postimg.org/5ypl051tf/castle_platamonas.jpg

http://s30.postimg.org/iaep8f8ox/grecia_2.jpg

[Vlach]

Biertan fortified castle:

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/82736/biertan.jpg

Bran castle:

http://cache.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/564580-bigthumbnail.jpg


Râșnov:

http://eyowf2013.ro/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/rasnov-fortress.jpg

Peleș:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XzLaY13KtI4/UBmAhHw1niI/AAAAAAAACO4/oJIMS8MNmfw/s1800/castelul_peles1.jpg

Huniade:

http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab359/Derbedeu55/Hunyad_Castle_by_andreiturcu.jpg

[Roy]

Rabsztyn

http://ocdn.eu/images/pulscms/NDM7MDMsMmU0LDAsMSwx/7096a9e91d90d603046a03d99c004bd5.jpg

Toruń

http://ocdn.eu/images/pulscms/MDc7MDMsMmU0LDAsMSwx/cb394bf7ea6327174113ac257e71d939.jpg

Bytów

http://ocdn.eu/images/pulscms/ZGQ7MDMsMmU0LDAsMSwx/d04ce24ecca746f8931e017b360deb37.jpg

Czorsztyn

http://ocdn.eu/images/pulscms/NGU7MDMsMmU0LDAsMSwx/a06243100a4ef9f9ae33263fecb51f46.jpg

Bobolice

http://ocdn.eu/images/pulscms/MmE7MDMsMmU0LDAsMSwx/70277366277ead287e3f51c848e61a99.jpg

http://zamekbobolice.pl/files/Image/__lub_na_Zamku_Bobolice_na_www.JPG

http://www.mapofpoland.pl/zdjecia-44633/Kr%C3%B3lewski-Zamek-Bobolice-ekspozycja-zamku-Bobolice.jpg

[XvThomas_LysergicV]

England- Dover Castle

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/redmoon01zxr/dover-castle-aermelkanal-england_zpsxfanuvfq.jpg

Hungary- Buda Castle

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/redmoon01zxr/buda_castle_hungary_by_gabor0928-d54j611_zpshaduaqpf.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/redmoon01zxr/Buda-Castle-over-Danube-river-Budapest-Hungary_zpsi3gwikmr.jpg


Romania- Peles Castle

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/redmoon01zxr/peles-castle_zps2zbkrt9d.jpg

Romania- Corvin Castle

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/redmoon01zxr/6421081_orig_zpstfklmhx6.jpg


Netherlands- Kasteel de Haar

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/redmoon01zxr/Kasteel_de_Haar_zpseylz62pp.jpg


Germany- Neuschwanstein Castle

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/redmoon01zxr/neuschwanstein-castle-top-view_zpsyjzpcrdj.jpg

[Carignan]

Château de Chantilly

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/496900Chateaudechantilly60JeanPierr.jpg (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=496900Chateaudechantilly60JeanPierr. jpg)
http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/797430jardindechantilly2.jpg (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=797430jardindechantilly2.jpg)

[Carignan]

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/592184CHATEAU3.jpg (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=592184CHATEAU3.jpg)

[Skjaldemjøden]

Well, they call it a castle. Hammershus, Bornholm.

http://www.denstoredanske.dk/@api/deki/files/65827/=Hammershus-Edit.jpg

[Skjaldemjøden]

I went there today to get TA some exclusive pictures. Pamphlet claims it is the biggest medieval ruin in Northern Europe.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/X5T4ViG4zGahLuVa5ay7wLva-DRxLwEifw5Aql7iyP8=w756-h567

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/x_RRZZ6Dtvyv-4N1cWE_4pVwp8SvqsNQMLnjCMbPXGg=w756-h567-no

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B7BNZWn-lm8/VSWjHT8ajFI/AAAAAAAAAKo/II0kvg8d4fE/w425-h567-no/IMG_5554.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5FHuC8UIf1J6w3EX8irMs9JYNptiARg4lL3ehxs_7p8=w756-h567-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8Tv8ciNFgNd9H-_ISyOAj7LWigR1EEL_CcH21Irstz4=w756-h567-no

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/C2D7MsktpjZVj-2tEndLSPBcfpLfg4DmLKG8KANt6QA=w425-h567-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LJi4222C_Jz8weyL8jHPmBt3BmeQU0y74Q0BnbNlwSc=w756-h567-no

[Vorg]

Solovetsky Monastery. 8 years orthodox monks kept the defense against the tsar's warriors (1668-1676). In Soviet times in Monastery was located one of the worst prisons.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Prokudin_solovki2.jpg?uselang=ru
http://imgtube.ru/images/stories/2013/07/3-1/s-1.jpg
http://img-9.photosight.ru/fa6/4096245_large.jpg
http://rossija.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/solovki.jpg
http://i048.radikal.ru/1207/6e/b83f85afa431.jpg

[Journeyman26]

Some beautiful, if not a little bit run down, fortresses throughout the Peloponnese in Greece. Each was founded in ancient times, only to be fortified and rebuilt by successive waves of Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, and finally Ottomans. Each saw a lot of actual combat as well. For example, The Byzantines in the acrokorinth withstood a 4 year siege by the Latins. Its kind of cool moving from the ancient Roman keep, to a section of wall with cannon ports and a Venetian Sphinx embossed in the wall. Keep in mind, each of these fortresses are on top of mountains.

Argos, Greece

http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=56606&d=1428531993

Fortress of Mystras high above Sparta

http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=56607&d=1428531993

The Mighty Acrokorinth

http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=56608&d=1428531993

[Ylla]

Bojnica castle, Slovakia

http://www.1000lonelyplaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Entry-to-the-castle.jpg

http://www.bestcom.sk/domain/bestcom/files/atrakcie/bojnice-castle-by-stefan-kacena-slovakia.jpeg

[Ylla]

Alnwick castle, England

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01877/alnwickcastle_1877580b.jpg

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/westeroscraft/images/6/64/Alnwick-Castle.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20131231183429

[LouisFerdinand]

Chambord Castle is in France.
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/601041294
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/304274518553837800

[LouisFerdinand]

Borrekens Castle in Belgium
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/559924166156186192

[Newman]

The palace of Coudenberg , the greatest castle ever built, it burnt in 1731

http://static.skynetblogs.be/media/145257/dyn006_original_800_408_pjpeg_2648614_1a2be4148e60 cfb53e68445cd5e05748.jpg

http://media.vrtnieuws.net/2014/02/174126494FRAN140204695019_urlThumbnailDir_tmb/0012.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Gezicht_op_Hof_van_Brussel_-_Cour_de_Brusselles_-_Koudenberg_%28Atlas_van_Loon%29.jpg/800px-Gezicht_op_Hof_van_Brussel_-_Cour_de_Brusselles_-_Koudenberg_%28Atlas_van_Loon%29.jpg

[MinervaItalica]

Many...

Just the one in my mind now.

Fénis Castle - Aosta Valley, Italy
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v2yNvUygeLU/UWQ8efbRN4I/AAAAAAAACTw/NnRUEqK6VPA/s1600/2013-04-07+12.20.06+Castello+di+Fenis+(AO).jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/46102423.jpg

http://atlante.blogautore.espresso.repubblica.it/files/2016/02/FENIScastello-1024x532.jpg

http://www.italiani.net/images/gallerie/ValledAosta/05.jpg

[LouisFerdinand]

Buda Castle in Budapest, Hungary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSZpmsGLCbE

[LouisFerdinand]

The Blue Palace or Plavi Dvorac in Cetinje, Montenegro
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/498984833695459780
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/540924605221077141

[Hadouken]

https://dpadblogdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/04-mario-world-1.jpg?w=630

[Ziveth]

I like this Bavarian castle, is my favourite. It's called castle of Neuschwanstein:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgdtzXmCkjI/UdvwavcOzII/AAAAAAAAC9Y/IeTOXn5dka8/s1600/castello-di-neuschwanstein_cfpfv.T0.jpg
another picture of the same castle:
http://www.cancelloedarnonenews.it/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/56.jpg
It seems from a fairy tale :) i think it's very nice.
I also like this French castle, it's called castle of Chambord:
http://www.caldanablog.it/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/FR_Chambord_1230.jpg
another picture:
http://mondodesign.it/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Castello-Chambord-Francia.jpg

[LouisFerdinand]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hapPHvc1DVg

[Finnish Swede]

Olofsborg/Olavinlinna (Finland)



http://i.xomf.com/jzswf.jpg (http://xomf.com/jzswf)

[TEUTORIGOS]

Kelburn Castle Scotland

http://c8.alamy.com/comp/DTG691/kelburn-castle-kelburn-country-park-estate-largs-north-ayrshire-scotland-DTG691.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/08/29/article-2031274-00C40947000004B0-731_634x536.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmlGCh2Jip0

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/67/df/31/67df31ba2497c16bd324a3ffd3178c47.jpg

http://www.youredm.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tworld-crowd.jpg

[LouisFerdinand]

Ducal Palace of Colorno

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcZzXqBdMyY

[LouisFerdinand]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Libkfm9Qo

[Peterski]

Ogrodzieniec ruins are beautiful, especially in the Winter or Autumn:

https://truenomads.com/wp-content/uploads/Ogrodzieniec-Castle.jpg

http://www.egtctritia.eu/_files/menu/1/7-tritia-castle.jpg

https://cdn1-v514dljztdsqroh.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/images/2018/01/The-Ogrodzieniec-Castle.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/6f/18/01/6f1801f736d54a2208191fa52ceee5be--gothic-castle-medieval-castle.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/2e/d4/68/2ed468fdd581022983610c828dde1dd0--ruins-poland.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a4/f7/9b/a4f79b8257f03329c8f8e034780bb223--famous-castles-chateaus.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QwBKlBj.png

I remember on YouTube there was a video someone filmed while walking all around the ruins of Ogrodzieniec in the Winter, and he added this music to the video, it was stunning to watch:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9iJ0C7q_Bo

[Jana]

Malbork castle in Poland, seat of Teutonic order
https://www.travelingwithmj.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Malbork-Castle.jpg
http://bringblingtotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/malbork-castle-a-world-record-place-in-poland-01.jpg
https://blogs.transparent.com/polish/files/2008/06/malbork-castle.jpg
http://www.goodwp.com/images/201211/goodwp.com_25917.jpg

[Peterski]

More of Malbork:

http://www.wsllpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/winter-castle-under-blue-sky-hd-desktop-wallpaper.jpg

http://image.castle-recovery.co.uk/castle-classics-malbork-castle-poland.jpg

http://www.zulawyimierzeja24.pl/data/articles/s4_9668_zulawy_na_weekend.jpg

http://www.roaming.pl/galeria/pomorskie/big/pom-malbork.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1692065.jpg

http://coxklosek.com/Photos/Poland2006GdanskMalbork/Poland2006GdanskMalbork-Images/15.jpg

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/82/02/ee/z15598210V,Zamek-w-Malborku-zniszczony-po-wojnie.jpg

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

^

Been there, nice sight.

[Peterski]

Malbork as it looked like in 1772-1804 (before the Neo-Gothic reconstruction):

http://images61.fotosik.pl/56/abae3363aeb6e9d6.jpg

[LouisFerdinand]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c7JkNrAaEw

[LouisFerdinand]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BE2ILyd5O4