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40 Of The Most Beautiful Historic Castles Discovered Around The World, As Shared By This Online Group
According to this year's surveys, 11 percent of Americans who are planning to travel internationally right now are considering a trip to the United Kingdom. Of those travelers, one-in-four intends to explore the country beyond London, showing an interest in its history and heritage.
A similar curiosity fuels trips to villages throughout Europe and other continents that otherwise might've ended up being forgotten. Settlements abandoned by developers that never became suburbs.
However, there is a way to visit these wonderful places even without leaving your home. The subreddit r/Castles and its 149k members constantly share pictures of wonderful historic palaces and fortifications. So pack your thumbs, we're scrolling!
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Edinburgh, Scotland Is Like A Real Life Harry Potter World
Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, Scotland
A lot of the allure of these places comes from the history and human drama that played out within their walls, as well as the astonishing architecture that features on so many castles. They're also romantic and somewhat mystical, places that spark our imagination and conjure visions of knights in shining armor and powerful queens.
"Because they combine two functions, they are far more interesting than fortresses or palaces," Marc Morris, the author of 'Castles: Their History and Evolution in Medieval Britain' told CNN Travel.
Mont St-Michel, France
Kylemore Abbey In The Fog, Connemara, Galway, Ireland
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
"What makes a castle a castle is that it combines the functions of defense and dwelling — it's a fortification and a stately home rolled into one," Morris said.
The author highlighted that creating a building which is both comfortable and defensible is difficult. "The ingenious ways in which castle-designers reconciled this balance is always intriguing."
Hohenzollern Castle, Germany
So Germans took inspiration for their fairy tale castles from these?
At The End Of A 2.64 Mile Long Avenue Lined With Chestnut Trees And Flanked By Grazing Deer Awaits Windsor Castle A Truly Magnificent Sight
The Rock Of Cashel, An Ancient Royal Site For The Kings Of Munster In County Tipperary, Ireland
When I was younger , I saw photographs of some Irish castles on the internet. I fell in love with those. It has been a dream of mine to visit the Emerald Isle one day. Hope someday things work out for me to visit these places(from what I know Ireland is quite expensive but maybe countryside not so much?) from thousands of kilometers away.
Château De Pierrefonds, France. It Is Such An Overwhelming Feeling Just Standing In Front Of It
Even though we normally associate castles with European history, as you can see from this list, it's actually an architectural form found around the globe — in nations as varied as Japan and India, Morocco and Mexico.
Many are now hubs of living history where modern visitors can watch jousting and other ancient combat forms, listen to medieval music or watch artisans demonstrate the arts, crafts and everyday skills of a century from years ago.
Scaligero Castle, Italy
Peleș Castle - Carpathian Mountains - Sinaia, Romania
Wooden Church On Kizhi Island, Russia, Builts Without Nails
Stalker, Scotland. Stalker Castle Was First Built In 1320 By Clan Macdougall
It took on the form we see today in the 1440's after the Stewarts took over. The Stewarts lost the castle in a drunken bet around 1620 to Clan Campbell
They also make great backdrops for outdoor events, such as concerts, films, plays and military performances, or for the on-location filming of movies and television shows.
"With a castle, you get not only the stories of sieges, but also stories of the domestic lives of the rich and famous," Morris said.
Cochem Castle, Germany
Sanctuary Of Truth In Pattaya, Thailand
Osaka Castle At Night
Hohenzollern Castle At Sunrise On A Winter Morning In The Sea Of Clouds, Germany
"Castles are places where plots were hatched, marriages were consummated, murders carried out, royal babies born, and so on. With castles, you are never short of fascinating things to talk about," Morris added.
Maybe that's why after all these years they still excite even children. For example, Lego just revealed a new set at LegoCon 2022 called The Lion Knights' Castle, which takes inspiration from the 1970s Yellow and Black Knight's castles. However, something tells me quite a few adults will be playing with them too.
Abandoned Castle In Lough Key, Ireland
The Bojnice Castle Was Built In The 12th Century, It's Located In Slovakia And Has Romantic,gothic And Renaissance Elements
We have lots of castles here! One of the good parts about Slovakia! Also, another view of Bojnice: bojnice-62...7d09c0.jpg 
Wernigerode Castle, Germany
Fort Bourtange, Groningen, Netherlands
Whether you want battlements or baronial glamor, it's also possible to stay in the U.K.'s oldest buildings.
Some are part of organizations such as the National Trust, the Landmark Trust, or English Heritage while private owners tend to use Loyd & Townsend Rose.
Staying in one of L&TR properties allows you to soak up history in a way that's not possible on a day trip. Its extensive portfolio includes such beauties as the Inveraray Castle on the banks of Loch Fyne.
I Didn't Notice Any Japanese Castles, So Here Is Himeji Castle
Its beautiful. (Osaka Castle, earlier in this collection, is also in Japan)
Butrón Castle, Spain
The Castle Of Wijnendale, Belgium
Quinta Da Regaleira In Sintra Portugal. This Place Is Surreal
Tantallon Castle, Scotland
Borrekens Castle - Antwerp - Construction Began 1270
This Oberhofen Castle, With Its Tower On The Water, Lies On The Right Shore Of The Lake Of Thun, In Switzerland. It Dates Back To The 13th Century
The Imperial Castle In Cochem, Germany
My jaw is now dislocated from dropping so hard...lol. Absolutely beautiful!
The Ezra Pound Castle, Schloss Brunnenburg Or Castel Fontana. Built In 1241 It Is Situated Above The City Of Merano, On The Outskirts Of The Municipality Of Tirol, Italy
Ezra Pound - influential poet, fascist supporter and Naxzi sympathizer.
Château Miranda - Belgium
Spiš Castle, Slovakia
OK boys, that's enough drinking for one morning...let's go build that wall!!!!
The Garibaldi Castle In Khryashchevka, Russia, Is Named By Its Owner In The Honor Of His Father - Garibaldi Arcadievich Kuzichkin
The castle was built in the Neo-Gothic style and it's more of an architectural fantasy on the theme of European Gothic and Romanticism
Penrhyn Castle, Wales
The Royal Castle Of Olite Is A Former Castle Of The Kings Of Navarre, Situated In Northern Spain. The Silhouette Of The Castle, Is Not Only Imposing, It Is Also Unique For Its Architectural Chaos
Pena Palace - Sintra, Portugal
Scotny Castle Built Around 1370. Kent UK
Neuschwanstein Castle On Winter, In Germany
Fenis Castle, Italy
Kalavantin Durg, India. Fortress Atop A Steep Hill
30 B.c Roman Fortress Masada (Near The Dead Sea Israel)
not a roman fortress....but taken by the Legio X Fretensis in the jewish war
Lichtenstein Castle, Germany
I went to this castle as a kid. It was both fascinating and eerie. I didn't read German but my mom is from Germany. She said that a former inhabitant of this castle was disturbed. There were cells not in the dungeon, but on ground level and I guess he liked to torture people.... at least that's what my mom told me
Castillo De Loarre Is One Of Spain's Best Preserved Romanesque Castles. The Castle Appeared In The Epic Movie "Kingdom Of Heaven"
Island Fortress Of Murud-Janzira, Off The West Coast Of India
Its a pity this has not been maintained, I bet it was beautiful to behold
Le Mont Saint Michel, France— One Of The Inspirations For Minas Tirith
Road To Mont-Saint-Michel, France
Le Mont-Saint-Michel
What about Hohensalzburg? Should have been included, no? hohensalzb...51e29e.jpg 
Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy France
where I live in southwest France practically every single small town has a castle. this one in a village population : 360. ccc-62db9a...e8b6dc.jpg 
Also Orava castle (Slovakia), that was used in the classic vampire film Nosferatu. Oravs-62b4...26d9bb.jpg 
The biggest pile of bricks is Malbork castle - very impressive. GoldenPins...e4bb1d.jpg 
India only have some most beautiful castles and forts, I am glad you guys added two of them in the list.
not one from Austria, Hungary or Czech Republic, but the 19th century fantasy castle Neuschwanstein twice? why?
all of these castles are older then a mayority of cities in the US and i think it is mindblowing
kind of disappointed that no one mentioned Predjama Castle in Slovenia. First built in the 11th century, the current castle was built in 1570. It occupies the mouth of a cave with a large natural stone arch overhead, Attackers can only come from one direction and secret passages through the cave behind it means it can be resupplied and reinforced during sieges. Castle-Pre...a0bff4.jpg 
Three castles in south africa: the original Castle of Good Hope: https://www.castleofgoodhope.co.za/ .. then a copy of liechtenstein castle: https://lichtensteincastle.co.za/ ... then kyalami castle : sadly it's occupied by a cult: https://www.castlekyalami.org.za/about-us/inside-our-church/
Only one Welsh castle, and not even one of the best ? Harlech or Beaumaris should have been on this list.
Loved the architecture and photos... But, with the inclusions of chateaus, churches, forts and strongholds, not quite "Historic Castles"... lol Even enjoyed the photo of the one that appeared to have fallen into the sea. All told, some of them are quite visually stunning.
In England a lot of the most castle-y looking castles are late medieval fortified country houses, rather than true military installations - but spectacular anyway. I like Tattershall and Bodiam. There are very few cases in the UK where where we had fortifications built in the age of Canon. The few we do have our sometimes built-in rather beautiful coastal locations like St Mawes and Pendennis. When it comes to fortifications however very little can beat the Roman wall that stretches from Carlisle to Newcastle and is still quite noticeable in some places.
Enjoyed these! I liked the backgrounds as much as the buildings. ( I'm sorry buildings.)
The inspiration for spirited away. Chengdu China 1454b0169c...d70fd8.jpg 
I still can't believe the Yankees tore down the greatest castle in America. And I mean the Yankees, literally. (Photo uploaded to Wikipedia CC 2.0 by Severin St. Martin) Yankee_Sta...nsored.jpg 
Also Orava castle (Slovakia), that was used in the classic vampire film Nosferatu. Oravs-62b4...26d9bb.jpg
The biggest pile of bricks is Malbork castle - very impressive. GoldenPins...e4bb1d.jpg
India only have some most beautiful castles and forts, I am glad you guys added two of them in the list.
not one from Austria, Hungary or Czech Republic, but the 19th century fantasy castle Neuschwanstein twice? why?
all of these castles are older then a mayority of cities in the US and i think it is mindblowing
kind of disappointed that no one mentioned Predjama Castle in Slovenia. First built in the 11th century, the current castle was built in 1570. It occupies the mouth of a cave with a large natural stone arch overhead, Attackers can only come from one direction and secret passages through the cave behind it means it can be resupplied and reinforced during sieges. Castle-Pre...a0bff4.jpg
Three castles in south africa: the original Castle of Good Hope: https://www.castleofgoodhope.co.za/ .. then a copy of liechtenstein castle: https://lichtensteincastle.co.za/ ... then kyalami castle : sadly it's occupied by a cult: https://www.castlekyalami.org.za/about-us/inside-our-church/
Only one Welsh castle, and not even one of the best ? Harlech or Beaumaris should have been on this list.
Loved the architecture and photos... But, with the inclusions of chateaus, churches, forts and strongholds, not quite "Historic Castles"... lol Even enjoyed the photo of the one that appeared to have fallen into the sea. All told, some of them are quite visually stunning.
In England a lot of the most castle-y looking castles are late medieval fortified country houses, rather than true military installations - but spectacular anyway. I like Tattershall and Bodiam. There are very few cases in the UK where where we had fortifications built in the age of Canon. The few we do have our sometimes built-in rather beautiful coastal locations like St Mawes and Pendennis. When it comes to fortifications however very little can beat the Roman wall that stretches from Carlisle to Newcastle and is still quite noticeable in some places.
Enjoyed these! I liked the backgrounds as much as the buildings. ( I'm sorry buildings.)
The inspiration for spirited away. Chengdu China 1454b0169c...d70fd8.jpg
I still can't believe the Yankees tore down the greatest castle in America. And I mean the Yankees, literally. (Photo uploaded to Wikipedia CC 2.0 by Severin St. Martin) Yankee_Sta...nsored.jpg
