Most amazing castles in the world
Elegant and extravagant castles are considered as the eternal evidences of the ephemeral power of the monarchs. If you are a history buff, exploring theses fortresses present across the globe will certainly be a thrilling idea for you. Here we have summarized the information regarding 6 most amazing castles on the earth. Have a quick look:
The Alhambra
When it comes to the most wonderful castles in the world, the first and foremost name that comes in our mind is the majestic Alhambra. Situated in the top of the al-Sabika hill in the city of Granada, this military fortress is a true tourist hotspot of Spain. The secluded surroundings with amazing views have made this castle popular around the world. The growth and development of the Alhambra was started in the 13th century along with the arrival of the sultans of the Nasrid Dynasty. However, it came to an end in 1492 and in the year 1527, the castle went through a complete renovation under the supervision of the Government of Spain. Some of the great features of this place are the majestic arched entrance named ‘Justice Tower’, the exclusive lion-shaped ‘Patio of the Lions’, the engraved ceiling and graceful cupola of the Hall of the Moors, and so on.
Matsumoto Castle
The Matsumoto Castle, located in the city of Matsumoto in Japan, is also considered as one of the most elegant castles in the entire world. Initially, it was a small citadel, constructed in the year 1504. But as the result of the unification of Japan, this castle converted into a three-turreted structure in 17th century. The 95-feet inner tower of the Matsumoto is known to be the longest-standing tower of the country. Apart from this soaring edifice, there are several other features of the castle which make it a great travel destination. These include the black yet polished fort walls, plunging eaves, awe-inspiring views of the nearby mountain ranges from the windows, vast lands with blossoming flowers of cherry, wisteria, etc.
Château de Versailles
Established as a hunting lodge, the Château de Versailles in France has now turned into a rambling palace complex and we can simply not keep it out of this list. It was constructed by the French King Louis XIII in the year 1631 and has gone through a lot of evolutions till now. Whenever an emperor stayed at this castle, he added something new to it. The dazzling Hall of Mirrors showcasing convoluted glasswork and eye-catching chandeliers, the unrestrained private land attached with the verdant gardens of the castle, the old French monarchy, etc. are some of the instances that we can see now. With so much options available to watch and enjoy, the Château de Versailles has become a grand tourist spot now.
Catherine Palace
Russia also boasts of having some of the most admired castles in the world. The Catherine Palace, constructed by Russian Tsar Peter the Great for his spouse Catherine I in Pushkin, is considered as the best among them. When he built the fortress in the year 1717, there was nothing special to it. But as it was redesigned and renovated by the Empress Elizabeth of Russia in 1743, the entire area turned into a visual treat. The Rococo-style architecture, the expanded length up to 1,066 feet, the stucco facade decorated with around 220 lb gold, the 10,764 sq. feet Hall of Light or Great Hall, the Amber Room comprising more than 12,000 lb of gems, etc. are some of the features incorporated by her. In short, a visit to this colossal structure adorned with gold, white and blue can truly make the most of your Russia trip.
Neuschwanstein Castle
The Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany is another marvelous fortress that attracts a large number of visitors each year. It was founded in the Schwangau region as the isolated Bavarian run away of the King Ludwig II. The constructional work of this castle remained unfinished for a long time even after the death of the king. At last, it came out as a full-fledged castle in 1892, after the simplified implementation of quite a few ambitious designs of the emperor. However, though certain designing plans of Ludwig II was discarded or cut down by the architects, the castle is still regarded as a royal one. The best thing about this structure is its Romanesque Revival pointed roofs and small towers. It has been believed that the Neuschwanstein Castle was the main inspiration for the beautiful Castle of the Sleeping Beauty at the Disneyland.
Hawa Mahal
India also has a number of amazing castles and fortresses, and the Hawa Mahal located in the ‘Pink City’ Jaipur is one of them. Built in the year 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, this extravagant palace is enough to create an once-in-a-lifetime memory in you’re the mind. The Hawa Mahal or ‘The Palace of the Winds’ is an enormous structure made of pink-colored sandstone, which sets it apart from all other citadels. Awe-striking interior, a total of 593 windows for allowing the westward breeze, the latticed portico, the small royal museum, the breathtaking view of the entire city from the top of the castle are some of the major attractions of the place.