Many stories revolve around castles adorned with gold and sprawling with ivy. But in Europe, these structures are an everyday reality rather than a fictional tale.
After visiting the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, we’re still on a high here on Impulse Odyssey. There are so many other old fortresses worth visiting in across the entirety of Europe, each with their own stories to tell. So with that in mind, let’s have a look at some of the most magnificent castles in Europe.
Palace of Pena
One of the most famous landmarks in Portugal is the Palace of Pena at the top of the Sintra Hills. From the bottom, the castle looks no bigger than your thumb, but it is a colossal structure up close when you reach the top of Sintra Hills.
The palace boasts full views of the Sintra as well as Lisbon. This UNESCO World Heritage site has been called the ‘greatest expression of 19th-century romanticism’ in the country. King Ferdinand II himself actually handpicked the colors and designs used for the castle.
Prague Castle
Once the throne of Bohemian royals and Holy Roman emperors, Prague Castle is now home to the president of the Czech Republic. Travel + Leisure revealed that it houses a lot of precious ornaments including the Crown Jewels of Bohemia, which date back to the 14th century. Only seven highly important people—including the President—have the keys to the chamber where they are kept. The landmark is listed as the largest ancient castle in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Hohenzollern Castle
Hohenzollern Castle is another German treasure, and it is a hilltop fortress, which is often partially covered by clouds, making it look like something straight out of a fairytale. The first of many structures on the grounds was built in the 11th century followed by several additions, renovations, and a significant reconstruction project following the siege of 1423. Although privately owned by the House of Hohenzollern, the castle receives over 350,000 visitors per year and has even made an appearance in the 2016 film A Cure for Wellness.
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle to this day, houses part of the British royal family. Recently, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in St George’s Chapel, which is inside the castle grounds.
Apart from the chapel, CNN stated that a tour around Windsor Castle will let you see Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, The State Apartments, The Long Walk, and of course, the Changing of the Guards.
Bran Castle
Transylvania’s Bran Castle is the former residence of Romania’s monarchs. Queen Marie, in particular, was very fond of Bran Castle and ordered it to be renovated. It is currently owned by Dominic Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduke of Austria-Tuscany who happens to be Queen Marie’s grandson. The castle is now a museum open to the public, under the care and protection of the people of Bran Village.
What makes Bran Castle even more special is that it’s also known as Dracula’s Castle. People have long associated it with Bram Stoker’s most famous work, even though Stoker has never actually stepped foot in Transylvania. The castle’s popularity is owed to the enduring tales about Count Dracula that have an undeniable presence in pop culture. The modern vampire written about in Anne Rice’s novels draws several influences from the lore, as well as spin-offs such as Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The gaming industry doesn’t fall far behind in having its own take on the legend either. Digital gaming site Slingo hosts the Dracula slot game, which features familiar elements such as bats.
According to mythologies, bats are the animal form of vampires, and have been a core part of any contemporary retelling of Dracula’s story.
But regardless of whether he’s fictional or not, Dracula’s association with Bran Castle undeniably adds a certain mystique to touring around one of the most famous castles in the world.
