CASTLE OF ZAFRA, CAMPILLO DE DUEÑAS
This partly restored castle in Spain was built in the late 12th century or early 13th century. It holds the distinction of never being conquered. It also holds the distinction of appearing in ‘Game of Thrones’ in three episodes.
THE CASTLE OF JADRAQUE, JADRAQUE, CASTILE-LA MANCHA, SPAIN
The site of this castle in located northeast of Madrid and has evidence of use since prehistoric time. It’s mention in the poem, ‘Cantar del Mio Cid.
ISOLA DI LORETO
Isola di Loreto is found northeast of Milan on Lago d’iseo and is a privately owned island. The castle got built in 1910 among traces of ruins.
DUNNOTTAR CASTLE, STONEHAVEN SCOTLAND
Dunnottar Castle is only accessible by winding staircases and bridges and has become an iconic setting for films and television. Disney’s ‘Brave’ took inspiration from the site.
MESPELBRUNN CASTLE, BETWEEN FRANKFURT AND WURZBURG
Mespelbrunn Castle in Germany was completed in the 16th century as a Renaissance-style castle in a remote location. The Ingelheim family still owns the castle and continues to reside in a portion of it.
BLED CASTLE, SLOVENIA
Bled Castle in Bled, Slovenia overlooks Lake Bled from high and has stood there since perhaps as early as 1011. It rises up from the landscape of mountains and trees.
PREDJAMA CASTLE
Predjama Castle is southwestern Slovenia is one of the most stunning castles in the world because it’s built into the side of a cliff face. The Gothic-style castle dates to at least 1274 and contains a secret passageway.
LIECHTENSTEIN CASTLE
Located south of Stuttgart in Germany, Liechtenstein Castle overlooks the Echaz valley. Wilhelm Hauff built the castle from 1840-1842 inspired by the novel ‘Liechtenstein.’ The novel drew inspiration from the ruins of a castle that stood nearby.
TROSKY CASTLE
Some castles are timeless like Trosky Castle in northwestern Czech Republic. The castle sits on two basalt volcanic plugs, which are created when magma hardens within a vent on an active volcano. The castle was built in the second half of the 14th century and is now in ruins after it burned down during the Thirty Years War in 1648.
NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE, BAVARIA, GERMANY
Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany is a 19th-century castle designed in the Romanesque Revival style that became open to the public around 1886. It draws 1.3 million people annually.
