CHILLON CASTLE, VEYTAUX, SWITZERLAND
Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva is one of the most visited spots in the county. The castle was built in 1160, features four courtyards, three great halls and recently added weapons room.
HOCHOSTERWITZ CASTLE, AUSTRIA
Hochosterwitz Castle is unique in that it sits on a 564-foot dolomite rock. The medieval castle was first mentioned in 860 and be seen nearly 20 miles away.
BRAN CASTLE, BRAN, ROMANIA
It’s considered the house of Dracula, though other castles have been linked to the legend, and it has been around since at least 1377.
ALARCON CASTLE, SPAIN
Alarcon is one of the oldest castles around with a history dating to the 8th century and resides on 200-foot cliffs. These days visitors can spend the night there in the castle that has several fascinating legends associated with it.
LOARRE CASTLE, SPAIN
In northeast Spain, the Romanesque 11th century Loarre Castle served as a strategic place because it served as a border between Muslim and Christian lands. Restoration work has continued on the site for the past 25 years and it’s been named to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
THE KENTUCKY CASTLE
This castle resides on a 50-acre site outside of Lexington, Kentucky in one of the more unusual places for a castle. Rex Martin and his wife, Caroline Bogaert Martin, started building the castle in 1969. It features 12 luxury suites, a library, game room, music room and 16 bedrooms.
HIGHLANDS CASTLE
John Lavender, according to legend, told his 3-year-old son that he’d build him a castle and the Highlands Castle resulted. Surprisingly, the castle in Bolton Landing, New York, is just 30-some years old.
CHRISMARK CASTLE
Over in Connecticut you can find a Gothic castle on 354 acres that overlooks Lake Porter. The castle has a checkered history and served as several venues, including a private zoo. A camel died there due to starvation and the property was on the market for $45 million back in 2014.
TRAKAI ISLAND CASTLE, LITHUANIA
The Trakai Island Castle in Lithuania is a stone building that has its beginning in the 14th century. It was built in several stages and includes moving gates to separate different parts. Several restoration projects have taken place on the castle and now it’s a major tourist destination.
MONT SAINT MICHEL
Mont Saint Michel stands on an island in northwest France just off the coast of the English Channel. It remained unconquered during the Hundred Years’ War and Louis XI used it as a prison. It’s on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list and draws 3 million people annually.
