1. Prague Castle
This castle has served as the seat of Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. The jeweled crowns of the Bohemian kings are kept in a secret room in the castle. With an area equivalent to 7 football fields, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world.
2. Alcázarde Segovia - Spain
The Alcázar is one of the most famous castles in Spain. The Alcázar was originally built as an Arab fortress but later became a royal palace, a prison, a Royal College and finally a military academy. It was completed during the Middle Ages.
3. Hluboká - Czech Republic
Considered one of the most charming castles in the Czech Republic, Hluboká Castle was built in the 1200s and renovated several times. In the 19th century, Johann Adolf II von Schwarzenberg rebuilt Hluboká in the style of England's Windsor Castle. The castle remained in his family until 1931 when the Nazis took over. Today, the castle is a Czech historical monument and is open to tourists.
4. Vajdahunyad - Hungary
Built in 1896 to celebrate the new Millennium, the castle is an exact replica of Hungary's oldest and most magnificent buildings.
5. Schloss Drachenburg - Germany
Schloss Drachenburg was built in the late 19th century. In just 2 years (1882 - 1884), it was completed at Drachenfels hill of Königswinter, a German town located next to the Rhine River and near the city of Bonn.
6. Bird's Nest - Ukraine
Nest of the Swallows is a castle built by a German aristocrat and used as a sanatorium for high-ranking military officers during the Soviet era. Today, it is a moderately priced Italian restaurant.
7. Neuschwanstein - Germany
Neuschwanstein is known worldwide as a symbol of romantic architecture and for the tragic life of its owner. After losing sovereignty over his own kingdom, Ludwig II withdrew into his own world filled with mysterious stories and legends.
8. Lichtenstein - Germany
Lichtenstein Castle is located on a cliff near Honau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. According to historical evidence, the castle has existed since the 1200s.
9. Peles Castle - Romania
The fairytale Peles Castle was built as a summer residence for King Carol I, who died and was buried there in 1914 a few months after the castle was completed. Peles was the first castle in Europe to have central heating and electricity. It has 160 rooms and is decorated in the styles of many European countries.
10. Duurstede - Netherlands
The ancient castle of Duurstede, located in the town of Wijk bij Duurstede, in the province of Utrecht, was built in the 13th century. During the wars of the 17th century, the surrounding people took stones from the castle to repair their houses and the city. As a result, most of the castle was damaged. Today, the watchtower and the fortress are still intact, the towers were repaired in the last century. The former gardens of the castle have been turned into parks and are open to the public. The towers are not open to visitors, but people can hold weddings or parties there.
11. Malbork - Poland
Deciding to make Malbork (later called Marienburg) their capital in 1309, the Teutonic Knights expanded their territory and built a large castle with towers and moats. However, Teutonic fell to the Poles and then the Prussians. The castle was almost completely destroyed during World War II. Today, it has been restored and is home to major museums.
12. Mont St. Michel- France
This castle is perfect for a fairy tale. Mont St-Michel is surrounded by the sea and there is a big difference between high and low tides. During low tide, the castle is surrounded by soft sand, but just a few hours later, when the tide comes in, the entire area is submerged in seawater.
