People have always been fascinated by ancient castles. There’s this magical feeling you get on witnessing the flawless architecture and intricate designs. Maybe that’s because we’ve all grown up loving fairy tales and fantasy adventures that wouldn’t really work without the great castle in a faraway land. Who could forget the Beast’s mysterious castle or the charming one from Sleeping Beauty? Remember the first time you laid eyes on Hogwarts? We know we wished we went to school there! Honouring the endless movies that made us want to live in huge castles, here are our all-time favourites from the real world and the stories behind them. If you can’t live in your dream castle, book your
air tickets now and visit the following destinations that will leave you amazed.Lowenburg Castle, Germany
Lowenburg Castle or Lion’s Castle is a German fairy tale fortress within the Wilhelmshohe Berg Park on Bavaria Mountain (92 meters above sea level) in Kassel. Although it was built between 1793 and 1801 by Landgrave Wilhelm IX, it gives off the feeling of a Gothic castle from the Middle Ages. A visit to the castle will allow you to enter the armoury which contains suits of armour from the 16
th and 17
th centuries, the castle chapel with Wilhelm IX’s tomb, and the different living quarters.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Located in a dream-like setting on a rugged hill within the Bavarian Alps in Germany as well, the Neuschwanstein Castle was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria with the help of a stage designer during the 19th century. When he envisioned it, he imagined a huge stage perfectly representing German mythology taking inspiration from the opera work of his friend Richard Wagner. The iconic palace is the inspiration behind the design used for Sleeping Beauty. It has everything from the high location within mountains and epic towers to the spires and waterfalls. Renowned all over the world as a representation of ancient romantic architecture, the castle attracts thousands of visitors every year. Check out our holiday package to Germany for a chance to visit the Bavarian Alps.
Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle), Romania
The Bran Castle is known around the world as Dracula’s Castle as it was the inspiration behind the movie version, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, of the legendary character and myth. We know Dracula is far from a fairy tale, but it doesn’t make the setting of this mysterious castle any less enchanting. It is situated right on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia (now modern Romania). The foundations of the iconic castle were laid back in 1377 quickly becoming a much-needed guarding post for Transylvania after just 5 years of construction. It was mostly built by the local inhabitants and by their own expenses. In 1541, it played a huge role in protecting the Hungarian king from the invasion of the Ottomans and Tartars. In 1920, Queen Marie of Romania lived in the castle and transformed it completely. Her transformations are what changed the castle to more of a fairy tale home. While most visitors expect dark hallways and secret passageways thanks to the connection with Dracula, her outlook on the castle is what can be seen today and it is stunningly beautiful.
Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria
The Hohenwerfen Castle is another fascinating fortress located in the Salzach valley of Austria high above the town of Werfen at a height of 623 meters. Surrounded by the Tennengebirge mountain range and the Berchtesgaden Alps, the setting is spectacular. Built back in 1077 about 900 years ago with its current appearance dating to 1570, exploring such a historic castle is a unique experience. Standing the test of time, it is among the best preserved medieval foundations in the world. The interesting falconry centre, the weaponry, and the intriguing architecture of the entire castle will leave you speechless.
By Amal Ghali
