The most mysterious castles in the world. The most mystical castles in Europe

There are a huge number of castles in the world, looking at which will not bring much pleasure. They are known for their creepy stories about ghosts, vampires and other evil spirits. We invite you to get acquainted with the darkest castles.

Bran

This ancient building is located in Romania and is the place where the cruel Count Dracula, Vlad the Impaler, once lived. Of course, this gloomy place has become a real tourist brand; guests from all over the world are eager to get to the Carpathian Gorge to walk along the long corridors of this frightening structure.

The history of Bran is as follows: in the 14th century it was built as a defensive fortress, which was facilitated by the convenience of its location - on the top of a mountain, from where it had views of the surrounding area. A small well in the courtyard, as legend has it, is a disguised entrance to a network of underground corridors.

But this dark castle is best known for its connection with Dracula. It is generally accepted that the mighty ruler of Carpathia spent some time here. In addition, it is Bran that is best preserved of all the buildings associated with the name of Tepes. However, we note that the building, which is truly creepy and inhospitable, is a promoted brand, and not the real residence of someone who likes to impale and wall up alive. There are a lot of vampire paraphernalia and torture instruments, a very atmospheric design, which is why Bran is considered one of the most terrible places on the planet.

Charleville

Let's get acquainted with the darkest castle in Ireland. This is Charleville, surrounded by an aura of legends and tales. It was abandoned long time, and when trying to begin restoration work, repairmen began to complain that some otherworldly forces were constantly hovering around them. There is evidence that several people observed the spirit of a young girl who tragically died within the castle walls. We also noticed other ghosts here.

In the video you can look at the walls of the castle and learn some more facts about it.

Eltz

This is not only a well-preserved example of medieval German architecture, but also scary place, covered in legends. The monumental structure is located in the thick of the forest, not far from the delta of two rivers. And, despite the picturesqueness of the place, the castle looks gloomy.

Initially, like Bran, Eltz served as a defensive structure, but later became the residence of noble persons. It is believed that not a single invader was able to destroy the palace only because a powerful army of ghosts stood up to defend its walls. The building is also interesting because its architecture harmoniously intertwines features of different styles.

Frankenstein's Castle

This gloomy building is located in Germany and originally belonged to the family of Baron von Frankenstein. It was first mentioned in written sources in 948, has survived to this day in ruins, was restored and now attracts crowds of tourists within its walls.

It is known that one of the owners of the castle, the eccentric Dippel, was fond of mysticism and science. There were rumors that he dug up corpses in the cemetery and used their parts in his macabre experiments. Hence the notoriety of the palace. Dippel's story is believed to have inspired writer Mary Shelley to create her immortal novel Frankenstein.

These are some of the darkest and most terrible castles that have survived to our time.

English Warwick Castle

The castle was built in the middle of the 11th century by the famous William the Conqueror. There were many battles in the area around Warwick Castle - no other European castle had such a number. It is possible that all the halls, rooms and dungeons, without the slightest exception, are thoroughly saturated with the blood of the killed and tortured and permeated with violence and war.

Some of the most beloved wings of the castle are the famous haunted tower and the dilapidated house with the ghostly spirit of Sir Fulk Greville, who was killed in 1628 by his personal valet. There is an opinion that the former owner of this building seems to emerge from a portrait hanging on one of the dusty walls of the old tower after sunset. The deep underground tunnels of the castle are filled with darkness and fear. Large quantity When tourists visit them, they begin to complain of sudden nausea and severe dizziness just from a single touch of the surrounding creepy objects.

Slovenian Predjama Castle

The construction of this castle was completed over a mountain cave back in 1274. Its massive fortress tower has withstood numerous attacks and bloody attempts to capture the castle.

Basically, the fortress was used primarily for defensive purposes, but sometimes it was also used for offensive actions. After a series of protracted sieges and a strong earthquake, most likely in the XIV-XV centuries, it was almost completely destroyed. In 1567, the fortress-castle was almost completely restored to its original state, where numerous secret tunnels and narrow passages were preserved, which, according to the stories of local residents, are always visited by the ghosts of soldiers who died in the defense or capture of the castle, which is why from time to time here Quiet footsteps, groans and noises are heard everywhere.

Danish Dragsholm Castle

The construction of this castle was completed at the end of the 12th century. Today Dragsholm Castle serves as a luxurious and expensive hotel. It owes its popularity to the hundreds of ghosts that wander the empty corridors every night. Some of them are so famous that they have their own names.

There is a sad legend in Dragsholm that tells how a woman dressed all in white fell in love with a poor peasant. When her father told about these romantic relationships, he got angry and locked his daughter in the room. Since then, no one has ever seen the girl. In the mid-30s of the 20th century, workers carrying out the restoration of one of the wings of the castle discovered the skeleton of a woman dressed in a white dress. The skeleton was walled up in the wall. The Earl of Boswell is another famous ghost who lived in the 16th century and was imprisoned in the dungeons of the castle and died there. Also well known is the ghost of the Gray Lady, who worked as a hotel maid all her life. After her death, she did not find the strength to leave the castle. That is why he always returns to it to check the order.

Ancient castles, shrouded in mysticism and medieval secrets, have always enjoyed increased attention. People are attracted by amazing stories and a special oppressive atmosphere that makes their blood run cold. Some family buildings have managed to survive to this day. Some of them have become museums open to tourists, others are partially destroyed and abandoned. We present a description of the six most mysterious castles in the world.

It is located 50 kilometers from Prague. The history of its creation is very unusual. After all, it was not built for protection from enemies, and not as the family nest of a rich feudal lord. According to legend, in this place among the deep forests there are no less than the gates of hell, from where witches, demons and other evil spirits enter our world. To “seal” the entrance to hell, in the 13th century. and a castle was built. There was a well in the yard, from where terrible moans and screams were heard. One daredevil who dared to climb there came out completely gray and out of his mind. Then the well was filled with stones and buried.

It is noteworthy that it was in this building in the 30s. 20th century The Nazis were involved in the occult. The ghosts that are most often found here are a woman in a black robe, a headless black horse and a bulldog man. Many visitors feel unwell here and even faint.

This is the famous "Dracula's Castle". The fortress was built in 1211 as a defensive structure to hold back the raids of the Pechenegs, Cumans and Turks. Three hundred years later, Bran became the luxurious residence of the princes of Transylvania.

In 1897, writer Bram Stoker wrote a novel about Count Dracula. The prototype was the ruler of Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler. According to surviving evidence, Tepes treated both his enemies and his own subjects cruelly. He was distinguished by a morbid mania for impaling his enemies, and also loved to bathe in a bath of human blood. The Tepes family comes from the Order of the Red Dragon, and therefore Vlad signed the name “Devil” or “Dracula”. The count died in the battle, but his body disappeared from the grave. People believed that he had turned into a demon. Stoker's work caused a sensation, and crowds of curious people poured into Transylvania. Bran seemed to them similar to the description of a vampire’s home, so they began to call it Dracula’s castle. Since 1987, there has been a museum here.

The fortress, combining features of the Renaissance and English Gothic, began to be built in the 15th century. Several legends are associated with the castle, but the main one is the tragic story of Lady Margaret Pomeroy. The ghost is called the "White Lady". According to legend, Margaret and her sister competed for the attention of one man. Lady Eleanor was jealous of her sister's beauty and placed her in a tower, where the girl died of starvation. Visitors who have seen a white and transparent ghost become depressed, feel fear and causeless anger.

Another english castle having a bad reputation. It was founded in the 12th century, and English kings often stayed there. The castle was constantly besieged by the Scots, but they never managed to take it. It was owned by members of the Gray family, which is often mentioned in the works of Shakespeare. In the 17th century, after the establishment of relations between the two countries, the fortress lost its military significance. A library and banqueting hall were built there, as well as a park where Chillingham's famous white cows grazed. During World War II, the castle housed barracks. In 1982, the fortress was reconstructed and partially opened to visitors.

The castle's two most famous ghosts are the ghost of Mary Berkeley and the Blue Boy. Lady Mary is seen emerging from her own portrait at night. Her husband cheated on her with her sister, and the woman committed suicide. The boy and his mother were walled up in the wall by one of the owners of the castle. And indeed, the skeleton of a child was discovered in the wall, and at night a heartbreaking groan is heard.

First exact description The castle dates back to 1139. It was a symbol of the entire country. Legend has it that the king who takes possession of the castle will receive the keys to Scotland. The fortress became the site of the most intense conflicts between the Scots and the British, and constantly changed hands. After in the 18th century. Scotland finally came under British rule, the castle was partially rebuilt and began to be used as a prison. It's funny that from the outside it is almost impregnable, but getting out from the inside is quite easy. For example, in 1811, 49 especially dangerous criminals escaped from it. After this, the prison was closed, and the fortress became a museum.

Among the castle's ghosts is a headless soldier beating a drum. This is how he warned Oliver Cromwell’s troops about the danger during his lifetime. You can also see the ghost of a bagpiper who got lost in numerous labyrinths and died, and the ghost of a dog wanders through the local cemetery.

It is also called the “witches’ fortress.” The castle was founded in the 12th century. During the reign of the Inquisition, trials took place here. Official data - 66 executions took place, 44 of them on charges of witchcraft. Popular rumor speaks of the death of thousands of women who were recognized as witches. Around the castle, numerous corpses of animals were found - livestock and deer, and the number of unfortunates languishing in prison was constantly growing. They were accused of being werewolves and being able to turn into wolves. By the 16th century The ardor of the inquisitors subsided, and the castle gradually began to collapse. In 1886, it was purchased by Count Wilczek, who spent large amounts of his own money on a complete restoration. Now the fortress houses a luxurious museum.

It is believed that hundreds of ghosts of tortured witches and sorcerers roam the castle. At night there are moans and screams. Tourists hear voices and feel someone touching them.

Many countries with ancient castles use mystical stories to attract visitors. It should be noted that this practice is very successful: many people are willing to pay to witness amazing phenomena.

Grandiose medieval buildings, erected to protect against uninvited guests and arrange the life of the nobility, delight and fascinate. There are many ancient castles preserved in the world, even glossy photos of which, outside and inside, testify to incredible power and splendor. All of them constitute the wealth of world culture.

Many fortifications and royal residences has survived to this day in its original luxurious form. Among them there are unique architectural masterpieces of extraordinary scale and beauty.

Konopiste

45 km from Prague, immersed in the emerald greenery of an English park, stands the 700-year-old handsome Konopiste. The original defensive cylindrical tower with a drawbridge eventually became part of the fortification belt of the powerful fortress, along with 6 new structures. The castle was rebuilt several times.

The last grandiose reconstruction at the request of Archduke Franz Ferdinand von Habsburg turned the Gothic castle into a luxurious architectural complex in the Baroque spirit. Neat snow-white buildings with terracotta roofs are surrounded by a park, ponds and terraces with marble statues.

The magnificent decoration of the castle, coupled with the unique collection of the passionate collector Franz Ferdinand, has been completely preserved to this day. Detailed catalogs compiled by the Archduke made it possible to place the exhibits exactly as they were located during the lifetime of the noble owners.

Among other treasures, the castle houses:

• the famous collection of military weapons and armor of the 16th–19th centuries, including about 5 thousand rare items;
• a unique collection of St. George, made up of 4 thousand artifacts from the 15th–19th centuries with the image of St. George.

Ancient castles of the world, photos of the inside and outside of which have amazing magnetism, attract crowds of tourists. The Czech landmark is no exception. The castle welcomes guests from April to October every day from 9:00 to 17:00.

Ancient castles of the world. Photos inside and outside will help you see exactly how noble people lived before.

Tourists are offered several excursion routes, falconry, visiting an ancient shooting range, holding business receptions and weddings in the surroundings of magnificent halls. The entrance ticket price, depending on the selected options and benefits, varies between 90–300 CZK.

Hohenzollern Castle

Rising above the picturesque surroundings near Stuttgart, the family castle of the Hohenzollerns, who were in power from the 12th century to the beginning of the 20th century, is a real architectural gem.

The elegant structure was erected on the top of a mountain about 860 m high, and in cloudy weather it seems to float above the ground in a ghostly haze. For this feature, the family residence of the Prussian kings is called the “castle in the clouds.”

The building in the neo-Gothic style is permeated with the spirit of German romanticism. Conceptually, the architectural creation is the embodiment of an ideal knightly fortress: with an internal area, high towers with pointed roofs, chapels, powerful battlements, many galleries and steep passages.

The columned halls are furnished with luxurious furniture and decorated with beautiful antique tapestries. The museum exhibits, among other unique items, famous artifacts: the crown of the Prussian kings and the military uniform of Frederick the Great.

The popular castle museum in Germany opens its gates to guests every day at 10:00. A tour of the castle grounds without visiting the halls costs 7 €. A general ticket, including excursion services in the halls, costs visitors 12 €.

Neuschwanstein

Ancient castles of the world, photos of the inside and outside of which testify to their unique beauty, are a place of attraction for lovers of knightly stories and fantasy literature.

The exemplary appearance of the book knightly fortress is fully consistent with the real-life Neuschwanstein Castle. The beauty of the “New Swan Cliff”, which is how the name of the castle is translated from German, is ideal.

A romantic castle complex in Bavaria, near the city of Fussen, built on a high cliff commissioned by King Ludwig II in 1869. The architectural creation synthesized the best elements of fortification engineering and palace architecture.

A slender, dynamically upward-looking white stone structure with many elongated arched windows and decorative projections is crowned with pointed turrets with balconies and loopholes. The height of the central tower is 80 m, the main building rises 57 m.

The elegant structure is devoid of the spirit of belligerence. In wall and ceiling paintings, the interior of galleries and staircases, and the design of furniture, the leitmotif is a romantic image of a swan. Currently, 12 luxurious rooms are open to visitors.

Among them, the rooms on the 4th floor are especially noteworthy:

• The throne room, designed in the likeness of Orthodox churches with a dome of the sky and images of saints;
• a huge living room, decorated with canvases with scenes from the legend of the Swan Knight;
• royal neo-Gothic chapel with an image of Saint Louis IX in the center of the altar.

The exhibition is available for viewing from 9:00. From October to March the museum closes at 16:00. In other months - at 18:00. The entrance fee is 12 €.

Burg Eltz

The picturesque 12th-century German castle Burg Eltz, built on a mountain washed on three sides by the Elzbach River, is reliably hidden from prying eyes by dense protected forests. Due to its favorable strategic location, the defensive structure in Rhineland-Palatinate was never subjected to destruction or looting.

An attractive feature of the castle is its architecture: 8 fabulous towers up to 40 m high, a closed cozy courtyard, pointed roofs, bay windows, half-timbered structures, a portico with a mosaic image of the Madonna. The appearance of the castle has changed more than once over 8 centuries: from the strict Romanesque style to the luxurious Baroque.

The picturesque architectural complex still belongs to the Eltz family. From the beginning of April until November 1, excursions are held on the territory of the complex. The exhibition, which includes more than 500 objects of art made of precious stones, metal, porcelain and crystal, deserves special attention. Excursion services are available from 9:00 to 17:30. Price - 10 €.

Vaduz Castle

The first written mention of the capital castle of Liechtenstein dates back to the 14th century, but, according to the results of historical research, the central tower of the defensive complex was erected in the 12th century.

The ancient fortification structure is located on a hill and occupies a strategically convenient position overlooking capital Vaduz and surrounding areas. The thickness of the walls of the main tower reaches 4 m, the base area is 12 by 13 m. Inside the majestic fort there is a residential complex with 130 rooms. On the territory there is a chapel of St. Anne, made in the late Gothic style.

Since the 30s of the 20th century, the architectural complex has been the home of the princely family, and most of the time it is closed to public access. On the main national holiday, Assumption Day, celebrated on August 15, the castle doors open to tourists.

Beleuil Castle

Beleuil Castle in the province of Hainaut, located in the historical part of the city of the same name, is called the “Belgian Versailles”. The first mention of the fortress dates back to the 13th century. Since the end of the 14th century, the castle has been owned by the princely house of Lines.

An aristocratic residence with a huge courtyard surrounded by a French park and water canals perfectly emphasizes the prestige of its noble owners. An extended two-story building with 4 round corner towers is erected on the ground floor. The waters of an artificial lake come close to the walls, along the banks of which classical sculptural compositions are installed.

The ground floor entrance hall leads to the Marshals' Hall, Ambassadors' Hall, Library and Dining Room. The second floor is reserved for the private quarters of the aristocratic family. The halls and living rooms are decorated with chic typical of the Renaissance style. There are many expensive items presented by famous guests: Marie Antoinette, Catherine the Great, Goethe and Voltaire.

The library stores more than 20 thousand rare ancient books. The castle is open to travelers from 13:00 to 18:00 every day in July and August. In April, May and September, guests are only accepted on weekends. The cost of visiting is 9 €.

Chambord

The architectural miracle of the Renaissance - Chambord Castle - is attributed by researchers to the work of Leonardo da Vinci, suggesting his participation in the development of the project. A few months before the start of construction (approximately 1519), the brilliant creator served as an architect at the court of the French king Francis I.

The castle was built 14 km from the city of Blois according to the model of fortified medieval castles. However, it was not intended to repel attacks. According to contemporaries, the king built his residence near the estates of his lady love, Countess Turi, and used the castle only as a hunting lodge.

The composition of the grandiose structure revolves around the “donjon” (the main tower of the knight’s castle). The tower has 5 floors with 8 halls on each tier. The eastern wing with the royal chambers and the western wing with the chapel are attached to the central part. There are 426 rooms in the castle.

The architectural highlight is a spiral staircase with two flights, allowing you to avoid encounters between descending and ascending visitors. A double spiral staircase with carved ornaments leads right up to the roof, to a terrace from which a picturesque panorama opens.

The design of the ceiling vaults, staircases, turrets, and stucco capitals bears the design of the royal lily. Exquisite interiors and a collection of rare paintings arouse the interest of travelers all over the world. The doors to the historical halls are open daily for them from 9:00 to 18:00. Entrance ticket price - 13 €.

Windsor Castle

In the provincial English city Windsor (30 km from London) is the residence of British kings, whose history goes back almost 1 thousand years. The founding date is considered to be 1070. The beautiful palace on a hill, surrounded by the ribbon of the River Thames, today also serves as a place summer holiday crowned family and a tourist site.

The castle complex is conventionally divided into the Upper and Lower Courtyards. Travelers pay special attention to the ancient Round Tower, 45 m high, where the famous knights of the Round Table met centuries ago. Today, a flag flying above the tower announces the Queen's presence in the castle.

Attracting tourists is the Chamber built in honor of the victory at Waterloo, St. George's Hall with elegant carved stone decoration and original roof, and the Memorial Chapel. Many are fascinated by Queen Mary's toy house, which is a small copy of the original interiors. royal palace.

The castle halls are decorated with paintings by famous painters: Rubens, Van Dyck, Rembrandt and other brilliant artists. The impressively designed castle park is covered with a network of comfortable walking paths. The changing ceremony takes place at 11:00 royal guard.

Tickets for the residence grounds are sold at the door for 21 GBP. Summer visiting hours are from 10:00 to 17:15, in winter - until 16:15.

Alcazar in Segovia

The Alcazar Castle, located in the ancient spanish city Segovia brought its architectural individuality. The silhouette of an ancient building, proudly standing on a rocky ledge surrounded by the Eresma and Clamores rivers, resembles a ship with high masts. Its exotic lines often echo the cartoon castles of Walt Disney.

The first stone structure, erected by the Arabs in the 8th century, came into the possession of the Spanish kings in the 12th century. The Arab fortress was reconstructed, turning into a Romanesque castle with Gothic elements. Today there is a museum on the territory of the citadel.

12 halls, which have preserved the decor in an elegant Moorish style, and the chapel, where the wedding ceremony of the Spanish King Philip II and his chosen one, Anna of Austria, are open to visitors.

The halls display antique furniture, paintings, handmade carpets with motifs, and a collection of armor and weapons. Castle grounds open to tourists from 10:00 to 18:00. The entrance fee is 8 €.

Matsumoto Castle

The ancient castles of the world, photos of the inside and outside of which are filled with magical aesthetics, are located not only in the European part of the globe. In Japan, near Tokyo, there is a structure of exotic beauty. Matsumoto Castle, built in 1504, is recognized as the national treasure of the Land of the Rising Sun.

The black walls and side towers of the exquisite multi-tiered structure resemble the outstretched wings of a raven, which is why another name for the Japanese masterpiece is Crow Castle. The visual lightness of the structure is deceptive. The ancient castle, surrounded by rings of deep moats and thick stone walls, was impregnable fortress.

Now there is a garden of chrysanthemums around the castle, and snow-white and coal-black swans are circling in the waters of the moat surrounding the building. There is a museum within the castle walls. The halls display samurai armor, firearms and swords from the second half of the 15th–16th centuries.

The exhibition is open from 8:30 to 17:00. The entrance fee is 600 yen. In the fall, the museum holds a “Moon” festival. Guests of the castle are allowed to climb the tower, built in 1635 specifically for observing the Earth's satellite.

The most terrible ancient castles

It is not paradoxical, but places covered with gloomy glory are not inferior in popularity to beautiful ancient monuments.

Name	Visiting time	Ticket price
Chillingham	from 12:00 to 17:00	10.50 GBP
Edinburgh Castle	from 9:30 to 18:00	16 GBP
Fraser	from 12:00 to 17:00	9.00 GBP
Houska	from 10:00 to 17:00	80 CZK
Leap Castle	By prior agreement with the owner	6 €

Chillingham

The ancient Chillingham Castle is considered the most mysterious landmark in all of Europe. It was built in the 12th century on the border between England and Scotland, in the county of Northumberland. Numerous photographs inside and outside the buildings show the silhouettes and faces of the ghosts living here. There are few places in the world where the inhabitants of the other world so often appear in the frame.

Initially, the fortification served as protection against Scots raids. The captured soldiers were tortured, killed and thrown into a basement pit. Their restless souls still wander through the ancient labyrinths. It was not only adults who were subjected to torture. In the underground chamber, among the torture machines, the skeleton of a tortured girl is still kept.

A shining silhouette of a boy and a man often appears in the Pink Room of the castle. During restoration work, a child's and a man's skeleton was discovered in one of the destroyed dead ends. Scratches on the stones indicated that the prisoners had been walled up alive.

Another famous ghost is the spirit of Lady Mary Berkeley, who has not forgiven her betrayal of her husband, appearing from the portrait. According to legend, the husband went to her sister, leaving an abandoned woman to suffer in the painful atmosphere of a gloomy fortress. There is a museum in the castle. They say that due to annoying ghosts, several caretakers have already changed in the museum, and one disappeared without a trace.

Edinburgh Castle

The famous Treasury of the British Isles, home to the jeweled Scottish Crown and the legendary "Stone of Destiny", was built on Castle Rock in the center of Edinburgh in the 11th century. AND The history of the oldest capital castle in Scotland is full of bloody events.

Next to the suspension bridge is the Witches’ Well, near which more than 300 women convicted of magical abilities were burned during the Inquisition. Near the gate there is a memorial to Sir William Kilcaldy, who was hanged for his participation in the murder of the cardinal and secretary of Queen Mary of Scots. Above the gate rises the Tower of the rebel Marquess of Argill, who was executed in Edinburgh.

Tourists often see ghostly entities within the walls of the fortress and beyond. The famous ghost is the spirit of a bagpiper who got lost and died in underground labyrinths. Visitors sometimes hear the drumming of the spirit of a soldier who, during his lifetime, warned of the approach of Cromwell’s troops. Eyewitnesses claim to have noticed the ghostly shadow of a huge dog.

Fraser

In a beautiful estate near the Scottish city of Aberdeen, there is a stone giant of the 16th century - Castle Fraser. Its beauty attracts tourists and newlyweds who want to hold a wedding ceremony in an impressive setting. And no one is afraid of the restless souls living here.

The castle servants say that at night music sounds and a female silhouette in black clothes appears. It is believed that this is the ghost of the owner of the house, Lady Mary, who died of tuberculosis at the end of the 19th century.

The most famous legend tells about the tragic fate of a Scottish princess. Demons or people killed the young creature in her sleep, and dragged the bloody body from the Green Room of the 5th floor down the stairs, leaving terrible traces. The servants were unable to wash off the blood: traces appeared again and again on the washed steps. The staircase was re-lined with wood to hide the bloody stains.

Houska

The 13th-century Gothic Houska Castle, located 50 km from Prague, is considered one of the most mystical ancient buildings in the Czech Republic. According to legend, the castle chapel was built over a deep crevice in the ground leading straight to the underworld. The holy building is decorated with numerous frescoes with images of Saints Gabriel and Michael fighting the devil, and serves as a seal on the gate to hell.

The design of the castle itself is amazing. The fortress has no defensive structures, water storage, warehouse, or kitchen. The plan of the fortress demonstrates that the citadel was not built to protect against external aggression, but to protect against what was inside. The plan shows that the defensible towers that have not survived are turned inward.

Recently, a secret room was found carved into the rock adjacent to the castle. Experts suggest that the cell appeared here during the construction of the fortress. For what purpose it was cut into the mountain remains a mystery, as does the mystery of the construction of a structure unsuitable for life.

Leap Castle

The 15th-century Leap Castle, rising like a gloomy hulk in County Offaly, is one of the most... creepy places Ireland. The fortress belonged to the extravagant O'Carroll clan for a long time. Members of the family more than once invited them to feasts under the pretext of reconciling their enemies, and then killed them right during the feast. The bodies were thrown into an underground dungeon.

In the middle of the 17th century, when the castle passed to other owners, many human remains were removed from the dungeon and had to be transported to the burial site on 3 carts.

Members of the clan showed cruelty not only to strangers. One of the owners of the castle killed his priest brother right during the service, offended that the mass began without him. Since then, the ghost of a priest has often appeared in the Bloody Chapel.

In the castle, phantoms of two girls, the Red Lady with a dagger in her hands, and a spirit that sometimes takes the form of an animal and exudes a stench were repeatedly seen. It is believed that this is the guardian of the Druid sanctuary, on the site of which a castle was once built.

Traveling to the ancient castles of the world is full of various surprises. If a glossy photo conveys a magnificent picture from the outside, then it is completely unknown what is hidden inside. Centuries-old giants have accumulated many secrets during their existence. And yet most of them are fabulously beautiful guests from the times of chivalry and courage, vividly telling the story of the past.

Article format: Lozinsky Oleg

Video about ancient castles

Top 20 ancient castles in the world:

A castle is a complex fortification structure that serves both as housing and protection from external threats. And also a silent evidence of the power and high social status of its owner. In an attempt to amaze their rivals with the magnificent splendor of their fortified houses, the noble feudal lords of the past built the most interesting castles that the imagination can imagine.

Most of them are located in Europe. But unique defense-type structures can also be found in Japan, as well as some Asian countries.

In Rus', buildings with castle architecture appeared only in the 18th century. and had purely decorative functions.

A chronicle frozen in stone

The older the castle, the richer its history, the more interesting it is to “read” the stone pages that have preserved the memory of events centuries ago. What can the medieval forts, which still proudly and impregnably tower over the bustling modern world, tell us about?

The construction of this fortification began in the 9th century. in the Loire Valley, northern France. The warlike Count Fulk III of Anjou erected a powerful stone dungeon on the site of the dilapidated wooden fortress of his ancestor to protect his possessions from his main rivals, the de Blois family. Small - only 38 m high and 25 m long, the square structure was well fortified and could repel any enemy. The 3-meter thick walls were built so skillfully that, having survived numerous wars, they are still well preserved.

Losches is considered the oldest donjon in the world.

The building underwent significant reconstruction in the 12th century. under King Phillip II Augustus. The monarch built a residential complex here, and used the former fortress as a prison, which was quite in the spirit of the times.

Many noble captives “honored” Losches with their presence, although not of their own accord. Among them are the Duke of Milan Lodovico Sforza, the historian and diplomat Philippe de Commines, who did a lot to strengthen the military power of France in the 15th century. as well as Bishop Jean La Balue, who spent 11 years in a tiny metal cage, unable to even stand upright.

Within the walls of Loches, the historical meeting of the Maid of Orleans – Joan of Arc with Charles VII took place. The blessed girl convinced the French Dauphin to accept confirmation in Reims, which meant his official ascension to the throne.

The modest-sized fortification in the middle of Lake Geneva, within walking distance of the city of Montreux, became famous throughout the world thanks to Lord Byron’s poem “The Prisoner of Chillon.” It is about the Swiss historian and politician Francois Bonivard, imprisoned in a castle prison for opposing the authorities.

The description of the suffering of this man, who almost lost his mind during his stay in the granite dungeon of Chillon, enveloped the castle with a gloomy aura that has not been erased, 200 years after the writing of the poem. However, Bonivard was in a sense lucky. The historian was freed by the Bernese who attacked the fortress, but many of his predecessors, for example, Jews accused of witchcraft and poisoning water sources during the plague epidemic of 1348, were brutally tortured and killed.

Located in picturesque place and the defense complex, which has a very unusual, austere architecture, despite its by no means romantic history, attracted many famous writers. Victor Hugo, Jean-Juke-Rousseau, Alexandre Dumas, Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky came here in search of inspiration.

The fortress on the water was built around the 12th century. (although some historians suggest that her age is older) on the initiative of the rulers of the Savoy dynasty. Most likely, Roman fortifications were previously located in this same place.

The permanent residence of British monarchs was erected on the Thames, among other defensive structures, by the Norman Duke William I the Conqueror at the beginning of the 11th century. And several decades later, his youngest son, Henry I, chose a well-fortified and strategically significant object for his residence.

Over the 900 years of its existence, Windsor was rebuilt several times until it acquired its unique appearance, easily recognizable by every modern tourist. The reigning queen, Elizabeth II, does not live in the luxurious fortress all the time, but only for one and a half months a year: March and part of April, as well as a week in June.

Windsor is sometimes jokingly called a “summer cottage.” At the same time, the oldest monarch in the world claims that it is the grandiose building in Berkshire, and not her official London residence - Buckingham Palace, she loves the most.

Windsor is the largest and oldest continuously inhabited castle in the world. Now it is home to about 500 people, including service personnel. The length of the structure is 580 m, width – 165 m.

The history of this fortress, which became the “calling card” of the country and a must-visit place for tourists, began in the 12th century. Presumably, the Alcazar was built on the site of earlier Arab fortifications, hence its name, common to all military structures of the times of Muslim rule.

Segovia is a city in northwestern Spain in autonomous community Castile and Leon was liberated from the Moors in 1085 by the Castilian ruler Alfonso VI the Brave. On the site of today's Alcazar fortress there was then a small wooden fortification, which turned into a royal residence.

Of course, the vulnerable structure could not provide effective protection for the monarch and his retinue, and also did not correspond much to the ideas of palace greatness. Therefore, it was decided to build a stone castle, decorating it in the Moorish style, as a reminder of its Arab origins.

In the 16th century The building was reconstructed, giving it the features of medieval European fortifications. Then royal family left the fortress, moving to the new Spanish capital - Madrid. And the former palace, having lost its former grandeur, began to perform the unpleasant functions of a prison.

In 1762, the Royal Artillery School was established in the Alcazar of Segovia. And since 1953, the building was given over to a museum with a rich collection of historical and cultural relics.

The complete opposite of its European counterparts, the Japanese Himeji Castle (translated as “White Heron”) is no less beautiful and full of true grandeur. Construction of this elegant structure began in 1333 and lasted 13 years. The fortress is located at the foot of Mount Hime, in the historical region of Harima.

The defense complex includes 83 buildings, most of which are made of wood. Apparently, only Europeans consider this material not strong enough and prefer stone for their fortifications.

At the beginning of the 18th century, subsequent owners of Himeji completed the construction of a 4-meter central tower - tenshukaku of 7 tiers gradually decreasing in size, which became the dominant feature of the architectural composition. During the same period, ditches were dug around the fortress and a series of defensive walls were erected. But most importantly, they laid out a huge garden-labyrinth through which the enemy had to wander, coming under fire from the soldiers who took up positions in the central tower.

The snow-white Himeji, truly reminiscent in silhouette of a noble heron resting on rest, became a model for military development in Japan and acquired many “copies”. He is the object of admiration of foreigners and a carefully preserved relic of his country.

One of the oldest Japanese castles included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.

Filmmakers love Himeji very much and often use him to shoot films and TV series.

Mysterious and beautiful

This is the only way to characterize castle buildings - the material embodiment of ancient knightly legends. Some of them, despite their name, are not related to military affairs, but they awaken sublime dreams in the heart and touch the poetic strings of the human soul. We are talking about the most unusual castles in the world with stunning appearance and exciting history.

Built at the end of the 14th century. a powerful castle on the border of Trasylvania, near the city of Brasov, has changed many owners over its long life. But I remember only one thing - the prince of Wallachia, Vlad III the Impaler, also known as Dracula.

This Romanian governor inherited his unusual name, which means “devil” or “dragon” from his ancestors. He had a truly cruel character, mercilessly dealing with his enemies. The reign of Tepes inspired the Irish novelist Bram Stoker to create the Gothic work Dracula, which contains many biographical facts from the life of the prince of Wallachia.

Perhaps the documentary evidence of the governor’s atrocities gave the writer the idea of ​​​​turning him into a monstrous vampire. The real Dracula was not associated with otherworldly forces. However, Bran Castle, where he often visited and in the vicinity of which he hunted, acquired notoriety.

Tourists come here to wander through the rooms of the “vampire’s dwelling” and cower fearfully as they explore the mysterious labyrinths of the ancient building.

Unique structure of the 12th century. literally grows out of the rock, becoming its architectural continuation. It is inscribed in a huge cave, as if guarding the entrance to the mountain depths. Hence the name, translated from Slovenian meaning “standing in front of the pit,” which implies a rocky grotto.

The fortress mountain is located 10 km from the tourist town of Postojna, in southwestern Slovenia. The history of this stronghold is inextricably linked with the most striking events of the country's liberation movement. Among its owners, the one who lived in the 15th century became especially famous. Baron Erasmus Yamsky, who actively fought against the dictatorship of the Habsburgs and was ranked among the national heroes.

Thanks to the inextricable connection with the caves inside the rock and branched underground passages, the fortress was considered impregnable. Its defenders could come to the surface in the most unexpected places, attacking the enemy or heading to neighboring villages for provisions. A underground river Lokva provided them with water.

Today, Predjama Castle hosts spectacular knightly tournaments. The building also became the “hero” of the film “Armor of God” with Jackie Chan.

The title itself famous castle in the world, you can without hesitation give in to this stunningly beautiful structure, as if floating above the outskirts of the city of Füssen, on the southwestern border of Bavaria. The name of the fortress, as if created by the hand of a magician, is as romantic as its appearance.

“New Swan Cliff”, as Neuwanstein is translated from German, was created according to the plans of the eccentric Bavarian ruler Ludwig II, a great lover of Wagner’s operas. The work “Lohengrin”, dedicated to one of the knights of the legendary King Arthur, especially captivated the royal heart. According to legend, the young man, like his seven brothers, was bewitched by his evil stepmother and turned into a swan.

Building built in mid-19th V. had no defensive function, it was just an imitation of a fortress, made in the neo-Romanesque style. The interiors are decorated with refined luxury and are reminiscent of the glorious history of the Knights of the Nibelungs.

Neuwanstein “pushed” Pyotr Tchaikovsky to write the ballet “Swan Lake”. The image of a fairytale fortress was used for several computer games and fantasy films.

But the most impressive copy of Neuwanstein was the Sleeping Beauty Palace in Disneyland Paris.

The tiny castle building in the neo-Gothic style at the very top of the 40-meter Aurora rock has become an easily recognizable and beloved symbol of the southern coast of Crimea. The mini-fortress is a dacha that belonged to the famous Russian oil industrialist Shteingel. According to his design, an elegant two-story house, only 12 m high, was built on the site of a previous wooden structure.

Coming from an old German family, Steingel wanted to give the Swallow's Nest the features of the medieval castles of his historical homeland. Despite its miniature size, the building looks very impressive. Crimeans even came up with a legend in the ancient Greek spirit for the popular attraction.

It says that the ruler of the seas, Poseidon, fell in love with Aurora, the goddess of the dawn, and tried to win her favor with the help of a luxurious golden diadem. However, the celestial woman rejected the gift and tried to throw the jewelry off the cliff. The diadem broke when it hit a stone, and part of the jewel turned into a charming structure known as the Swallow's Nest.