Fortresses hidden on cliffs

Swallow's Nest Castle

In the small, sunny city of Gaspra, you'll find the Swallow's Nest Castle, a tourism symbol of Crimea, a peninsula in southern Ukraine, built on a narrow rock on the Aurore cliff, 40 meters above the Black Sea.

Viewed from the sea, the Gothic castle, with its distinctive domes and spires, built in the early 20th century, resembles a swallow's nest nestled against the cliff. From the castle's exterior corridors, one can enjoy stunning views of the Black Sea waves, Yalta Bay, and the rolling mountains in the distance.

Having survived numerous historical events, the castle is now considered one of the most noteworthy architectural and historical landmarks in the area.

Aragonese Castle

Aragonese Castle is an ancient fortress built on a volcanic rock surrounded on all sides by the sea on the island of Ischia, in the Campania region of Italy. Rising from the sea, Aragonese Castle captivates visitors with its well-preserved mystique.

This castle stands isolated, connected to the rest of the island only by the Ischia Bridge. Much of the events, battles, and refined life of Ischia took place here. Therefore, simply visiting the Aragonese Islands is like stepping back in time to a medieval Europe.

The walls, churches, and fortifications of the Aragonese castle were largely constructed between the 14th and 17th centuries. They are perfectly camouflaged with the dark, jagged rocks of the island, forming a secluded garden with charming, winding lanes…

Alcazar Fortress

The Alcazar is a ship-shaped, fortified palace located at the end of the ancient city of Segovia, built on a rocky promontory overlooking the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores rivers, making it an impregnable stronghold for a long time.

In the 12th century, the Alcazar was built as a fortress, but it was used as a royal palace, then as a prison, and later as a military academy. The Alcazar was also one of the structures that inspired Walt Disney's fairytale castle in Cinderella.

Today, the Alcazar is one of Spain's most popular historical sites and one of Segovia's three main tourist attractions. At the Alcazar, you can stroll through its lavishly decorated rooms, climb 153 steps to the top of the tower, and admire panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Gyantse Fort

Despite numerous attacks, Gyantse Fortress on Dongri Mountain, with its 3-kilometer-long city wall south of Gyantse, built in 1365, is the best-preserved ruin in Tibet.

Buddhist murals, a small temple, and a room decorated as a museum can give you a glimpse into the glorious past of Gyantse Fortress centuries ago.

From the fort, you can enjoy panoramic views of the valley and especially the Kumbum Palcho monastery. The ideal time to visit Gyantse Fort is from May to October.

William Gillette Castle

The stone William Gillette Castle, situated on a hill overlooking the Connecticut River (USA), was built in 1919 by actor William Hooker Gillette, inspired by the architecture of castles in the Rhine Valley.

On the outside, the castle looks dilapidated, but inside it boasts all the modern amenities combined with… eccentric elements!

Visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air while strolling along the trails around the castle, taking in the magnificent natural scenery of the Connecticut Valley.

Peñafiel Fortress

Peñafiel Fortress in Valladolid province, built on a hill in the 10th century, is one of the most beautiful examples of functional castle architecture in Spain and a very well-preserved national heritage site.

The fortress resembles a 210-meter-long boat with double ramparts. Eight towering watchtowers, combined with the stone arch architecture, create a majestic image.

Like other elevated structures, from any vantage point within the fortress, you can easily admire the panoramic views of the surrounding area, all the way down to the city of Peñafiel, where it served to protect its inhabitants in the past…

Dhar Al-Hajar Stone Castle

Dhar Al-Hajar (also known as the Rock Castle), situated atop a 50-meter-high hill 15 km northeast of Sanaa, is one of Yemen's most famous landmarks.

The castle was built in 1786 and expanded in 1930 to serve as a summer retreat for Yemeni Muslim leaders. At the foot of the Stone Castle lies lush vegetation with orchards and sprawling fields. Therefore, visitors can enjoy the scents and colors of the fruits before heading to the main attraction!

The five-story castle boasts distinctive architecture. On the lower floors, the windows are small and sparsely decorated, but the windows on the upper floors are large and lavishly adorned with faux marble. The roof is designed as a large, pristine white terrace, surrounded by artistic arched railings…

Kumbhalgarh Fort

In the Indian state of Rajasthan, from the city of Udaipur, you can easily spot the Kumbhalgarh fort, built in the 16th century amidst the barren mountains.

Kumbhalgarh is considered an impregnable fortress, surrounded by 13 high peaks of the Aravali mountain range and built on the highest peak at an altitude of 1,914 meters. The fortress stretches 36 kilometers, earning it the title of the second longest Great Wall in the world.

Kumbhalgarh Fort is a complex of numerous palaces, temples, and magnificent gardens. The castle itself is located at the highest point. The rooms, combining shades of green, turquoise, and white, create a striking color contrast and resemble swirling clouds, hence its name, the "cloud palace."

From this vantage point, visitors can take in the lush green of the deep forest, the majestic canyons, and the pristine natural beauty below. October to December is the ideal time to visit Kumbhalgarh.

Man Nhi