With incredible castles of all shapes and sizes strewn all across the continent - not least of them a fairytale castle from which Sleeping Beauty has escaped in Germany and a hair-raising Dracula-themed castle in Romania – Europe's buildings will always capture our imaginations in their mystery and legend. Concealed on mountaintops, teetering on hillsides and floating on lakesides.
Bran Castle, Romania
For all the castles, castles tend to, Bran is, arguably, the eeriest of them all. The medieval citadel of Romania's Transylvania became Dracula castle, even if Bram Stoker, who wrote the Gothic novel of the same name, actually never set foot in Romania at all. Bran still associates with Dracula and so, and with such beautiful views from up on high and turrets from out of a Grimm fairy tale, it’s pretty easy to see why the name lingers.
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Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
King Ludwig II of Bavaria created Neuschwanstein Castle in the 19th century as a private escape from the outside world, and few could boast of having built as impressive a castle as this high in the mountains. People often say it is one of the most notable in Europe and matched by little else; it is interesting to note that these fairy tale towers and ramparts drew inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
"I wanted to retreat into a fantasy world and live out the dreams of (German composer) Richard Wagner’s opera heroes," Ludwig later explained, and indeed much of the art within Neuschwanstein depicts the kings, knights and poets from Wagner’s operas. Ironically, although the castle itself looks ancient, at the time of its completion, it was quite modern, and indeed boasted indoor heating and even a telephone.
Peleș Castle, Romania
România - The stunning Pele Castle King Carol, I built it in the 19th century as his summer residence in the country’s picturesque Carpathians. The impressive Gothic and Neo-Renaissance Revival building in central Romania’s Sinaia is a rather lavish place – the castle certainly isn’t Small, like anything small (a fairy tale, maybe even to its own kingdom).
Bojnice Castle, Slovakia
In front of Bojnice castle which stands in place of a medieval castle that dates to the 11th Century, you can see one of the most beautiful fairy-tale sceneries. Bojnice castle belonged to some of the famous Hungarian noble families throughout history. The current form of the castle was set at the end of the 19th century, while a lot of the exterior features mimic those found on a Chateau of Loire, in France.
Hever Castle, England, UK
In front of Bojnice castle which stands in place of a medieval castle that dates to the 11th Century, you can see one of the most beautiful fairy-tale sceneries. Bojnice castle belonged to some of the famous Hungarian noble families throughout history. The current form of the castle was set at the end of the 19th century, while a lot of the exterior features mimic those found on a Chateau of Loire, in France.
Wartburg Castle, Germany
Perched precariously above the town of Eisenach on an overhanging high rock promontory at the edge of the Thüringer Forest, a real fairy-tale castle, Wartburg Castle, stands. Builders created Wartburg Castle in 1067; the 12th century saw the builders create a large hall, and virtually every following century led to a significant upgrade and reconstruction of the castle. It is the first and oldest German castle protected as a World Heritage site in the world.
Kronborg Castle, Denmark
Best known as the historical location in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Kronborg castle is the most well-known castle in Denmark and certainly one of Europe's very finest Renaissance castles found in Northern Europe. Erected, razed to the ground by fire, and reconstructed many times since 1420, Kronborg is in an extremely key strategic place at the top of the Oresund Sound.
Caernarfon Castle, Wales, UK
Castles can't go too far off wrong in Wales, however few manage to excite the imagination quite like Caernarfon Castle, which sits on the banks of the town it guards. As arguably one of the best castles in the UK, with its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's special for so much more besides: it was the site of two prince investitures, 1911 and 1969.
Gripsholm Castle, Sweden
A quick car trip to the west of Stockholm gets you to the beautiful Lake Mälaren and the cosy little town of Mariefred with the grand Gripsoholm Castle. Gustav Vasa, the king who founded modern Sweden, built this magnificent stronghold in 1537. The castle served as royal residence until the 18th century and today, in addition to a large interior collection of period furnishings, it functions as the home of Sweden's National Portrait Gallery and contains portraits from historical greats and more recent Swedish idols like the great Benny Andersson.
Final Thoughts
Europe has hundreds of old castles, and each one tells a different story. Some were built to fight off enemies during wars. Others were built by rich kings who just wanted a quiet place to live away from city life.
Seeing these places in person is a great way to learn about history. If you are planning a trip to Europe, visiting a few of these sites will give you a real look into the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which castle in Europe inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle?
Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany inspired the Disney castle. Walt Disney saw pictures of its high towers and built the Disneyland castle based on its design.
Is Bran Castle in Romania really connected to Dracula?
Bram Stoker used descriptions of Bran Castle when writing Dracula, but he never went to Romania. The real ruler who inspired the Dracula story, Vlad the Impaler, only spent a short time at this castle.
Why is Kronborg Castle in Denmark so famous?
Kronborg Castle is famous because William Shakespeare chose it as the setting for his play Hamlet. It also helped the Danish army control shipping boats in the sea for hundreds of years.
Can you tour the inside of these European castles?
Yes, you can buy tickets to go inside most of these castles. Guided tours let you walk through old bedrooms, view historical weapons, and walk around the outside gardens.
