(TruthSeekerDaily) Castles are incredible structures that exist not just in fairy tales, but spread across the world, some having been among the first buildings in certain countries. Each castle is magically beautiful in it’s own right, some being small and unassuming, others can be considered intricate works of art.
Millions of travelers journey to various parts of the world to seek out these castles and revel in their history, culture, decadence, and immense beauty. To see them in person must be a true sight for unbelieving eyes who had only seen these buildings in the pages of story books. It’s hard to believe that such magnificent buildings do exist.
Below are eight amazing castles that are so beautiful you may not believe they’re real…
1. Castle Howard, England
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.
2. Château de Chambord, France
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.
3. Peleș Castle, Romania
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.
4. Catherine Palace, Russia
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.
5. Lichtenstein Castle, Germany
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.
6. Mont Saint Michel, France
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.
7. Bran Castle, Romania
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.
8. Chateau de Versailles, France
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.
h/t: [ EP ]
Whether you get the opportunity to visit any of these in person one day or not, these pictures make for a great mental vacation. Please share these visual masterpieces with others.
