Castles....

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Castle of Chillon, Switzerland

The Castle of Chillon (Château de Chillon) is one of Switzerland's most iconic and well-preserved medieval fortresses, located on the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva near Montreux. This breathtaking castle, perched on a small rocky island that extends into the lake, has captivated visitors for centuries with its stunning views, rich history, and architectural beauty.

Dating back to the 12th century, the Castle of Chillon was originally a strategic military stronghold, controlling a key route through the Alps. Over the centuries, it served as both a fortress and residence for the Counts of Savoy, who expanded and fortified the structure to protect their interests. The castle's impressive defense system includes thick walls, towers, and moats, which add to its imposing appearance.

Inside, visitors can explore more than 40 rooms that showcase different eras of the castle's history. Highlights include the Great Halls, which once hosted grand banquets, the chapel adorned with medieval frescoes, and the underground dungeons, made famous by Lord Byron's poem The Prisoner of Chillon. In the poem, Byron tells the story of François Bonivard, a 16th-century Swiss patriot who was imprisoned in the castle's gloomy cells for opposing the Duke of Savoy.



Source: Internet
 








Lauenstein Castle is popularly referred to as "Mantelburg". This name is based on the founding legend of the castle, which is said to have been built by King Konrad I around the year 915 to secure the borders of his empire to the north. Originally, the building was to be built on the Black Mountain, southeast of Lauenstein, but this failed due to the intervention of dark forces: every night the walls erected the day before were destroyed again. The construction only succeeded when Konrad followed the advice of a wise hermit, relocated the building site to the current location of the castle and surrounded it with his king's cloak cut into strips to protect it from the dark forces....

Source: Internet
 


The Będzin Castle is a castle in Będzin in southern Poland. The stone castle dates to the 14th century, and is predated by a wooden fortification that was erected in the 11th century. It was an important fortification in the Kingdom of Poland.

The village of Będzin originated in the 9th century. The local wooden fort, that the records show existed as early as the 11th century, was destroyed during the Tatar invasion in 1241 and subsequently rebuilt.

During the reign of Casimir III the Great the castle received an upgrade from wooden fortress to a stone one. The stone castle was operational as early as in 1348. The growing trading village of Bytom was given Magdeburg Law city rights shortly afterwards, in 1358.

Photo: castleguide

 


Burg Karneid

Perched on a rocky outcrop above the Eisack River near Bolzano, Karneid Castle (Castel Cornedo) is one of South Tyrol's most striking medieval fortresses. First documented in the 13th century, it was built by the lords of Vanga before passing through several noble families who shaped its development over the centuries. Its dramatic position on a narrow cliff gives the castle a bold and almost precarious silhouette, with its tall keep, fortified walls, and angular towers rising sharply above the surrounding vineyards and forests. The blend of Romanesque and early Gothic elements reflects both its defensive purpose and the evolving architectural tastes of medieval Tyrol.

Source: iconicpalace
 
Château de Bourg-Archambault, located in the Vienne department of France, is a striking example of 15th-century medieval architecture. It features a large, rectangular design with four imposing round towers at each corner, surrounded by a moat, giving it a classic fortress appearance. Originally built as a defensive stronghold, the château has retained much of its historical charm, including its stone walls and drawbridge. Over the centuries, it has undergone various renovations but still reflects the grandeur of its medieval origins.







 
Glücksburg Castle, one of northern Europe's finest Renaissance water castles, sits majestically on a lake in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, its whitewashed walls and steep red-tiled roofs reflected in the surrounding moat. Built between 1582 and 1587 for Duke John the Younger of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg, the compact quadrangular fortress features four corner towers, a central courtyard, and an adjoining outwork linked by bridges—elements that once provided both stately residence and military defense. Today the meticulously preserved complex, framed by formal gardens and parkland, serves as a museum and cultural venue, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into the architectural elegance and dynastic history of the Danish and German royal families that once called it home.

 
Gripsholms Slott is a castle located in the town of Mariefred, in the province of Södermanland, Sweden. It is considered one of the most important and refined architectural jewels of the Swedish cultural heritage and overlooks Lake Mälaren in south-central Sweden.The oldest building was built around 1380 by the head of the royal council Bo Jonsson, under the reign of Magnus IV of Sweden, and belonged to his family until his death, when it was bought by Queen Margaret in 1404 and confiscated by Gustav I of Sweden in 1526. By order of the latter, the original building was demolished and in its place was built a castle with circular towers and a wall with defensive purposes. Since then the castle has always belonged to the Swedish royal family and has been used as a residence since 1713. Between 1563 and 1567 the castle was used as a prison by Erik XIV of Sweden to hold his brother Giovanni and his wife Catherine Jagiellon. The castle is currently open to the public and houses one of the oldest portrait galleries in Sweden and the world, the Statens porträttsamlingar.



Photo: juliens_scandinavian_world
 
Castle Campbell, nestled in the lush green Ochil Hills of Scotland, is a stunning medieval fortress. Once the stronghold of the powerful Campbell clan, it overlooks Dollar Glen with breathtaking scenery. The castle's ruins tell stories of Scottish history, noble intrigue, and wars. Its remote and dramatic setting adds to its timeless charm.



 
Burg Kriebstein....



Burg Kriebstein 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.

Photo: manoj.galle
 
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