Castles....

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Lucky13 said:
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Svojanov Castle, Czech Republic

The Svojanov Castle, which is a partial ruin, is one of the oldest royal castles in this country. It is located in the middle of a deep forest in the beautiful valley of the Křetínka River. Its architecture includes a unique mixture of the gothic and Empire styles. Svojanov Castle was established in 1224 by the Royal Burgrave Svéslav of Bořitov. King Přemysl Otakar II named the castle Fürstenberg. The castle's main task was to protect the Trstěnice Trade Route. The castle included an internal courtyard protected by up to 8-metre thick fortifications and the similarly thick outer wall of the old palace. The sixty-metre high watchtower served as the last place of refuge for the defenders. After the death of King Přemysl, the castle passed into the ownership of the King's widow, Kunhuta. The castle was later owned by the Lords of Boskovice, who constructed an ingenious system of late gothic fortifications with seven bastions and a squires' house. The squires' house has been preserved in its authentic state. The Lords of Trczka von Leipa built a new renaissance palace decorated with sgraffito on the site of the original fortifications. Nowadays, it is a ruin. The castle's owners changed frequently. In 1879, the last private owner decorated the palace interiors with late Empire-style paintings. The castle is now owned by the town of Polička. It is used as a venue for cultural events. Visitors can visit the gothic columned hall, an exhibition on the history of the castle, the kitchen, the pantry, the gothic cellars or the torture chamber.

Photo by: cestujceskem
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I disagree slightly. I would suggest the main purpose of the tower was for observation. The best way to take a castle is a surprise attack. We are frequently fooled by modern pictures of fortifications. At the time this and other castles were in use, there wouldnt have been a tree anywhere near it. They provide cover from what is going on, cover from defensive fire and are materials for warmth, shelter and weapons.
 
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Castle of Szalónak/Schlaining, Burgenland, Austria (Historical Őrvidék, belonged to Hungary until 1920)....
 
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The medieval Chateau de Sully sur Loire in France. The castle was the seat of the Dukes de Sully. King Henry IV of France's minister Maximilien de Béthune is the most prominent of them. The last Bethune left the chateau in 1962 as it was sold to the Loiret local council. The chateau was constructed on the south side at a natural ford on the Loire, at the confluence of the Loire and the River Sange. It stands on three islands: the northwestern island is occupied by the keep; the southwestern island holds the Inner Courtyard with defense towers, galleries and residences. The ditch that used to separate these islands is no longer here; the eastern island held the Outer Courtyard and other buildings. Interestingly, Voltaire found shelter in the castle in the early 18th century. He was subject to the awe of Philipp II, Duke of Orleans over his satire.
Photo by chateauxethistoire
 
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Kriebstein Castle is a castle in Kriebstein near the town of Waldheim in the German state of Saxony.

The castle rises above steep crags over the River Zschopau. Within the topographical grouping of hill castles it is classified as a spur castle because it lies on the extreme end of a hill spur surrounded on three sides by the Zschopau that flows around the spur in a large bow.
 
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The Marienburg Castle.
The former summer residence of the House of Guelph (better known in Europe as the House of Hanover) and the oldest princely castle in Europe, but still maintained in its original condition. This castle is one of the most valuable neo-gothic structures in Germany....
 
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