Castles are perhaps the most alluring feature of the ever-mysterious Europe. These royal dwellings dot every part of the continent, and they are so tied in with it, if one thinks of Europe, the first image that appears on his mind is that of an old dainty castle surrounded by lush greenery. Whether it’s reliving your very own fairytale fantasy or exploring the lavish lifestyle and grandeur that surrounded the royalty of the nineteenth century and beyond, castles are a part and parcel of Europe you definitely wouldn’t want to look over. Here are some of the most epic, majestic and chillingly beautiful castles in Europe that you certainly must visit to get the most out of your Europe trip.
The Neuschwanstein Castle (Schwangau, Germany)
Elegant, rugged, and absolutely stunning, one look at this amazing castle (commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria in the nineteenth century) is sure to leave you awestruck. The castle was opened to the public shortly after the king’s death in the year 1886, and since then, more than 61 million people have paid a visit to this royal home. The Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular castles in Europe today, boasting over 1.2 visitors annually. The castle garners the arrival of some 6,000 visitors daily during summer, who come to feast their eyes on this lovely creation of Romanesque architecture.
The Hohenwerfen Castle (Werfen, Austria)
The strong and sturdy Hohenwerfen Castle has stood the test of time. The mighty castle has towered over the 155 meter high craggy rock pillar over the Salzachtal Valley for over nine centuries. Hohenwerfen is a “sister” of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, both built by the Archbishops of Salzburg in the 11th century. Over the years, this powerful fortification has witnessed several attacks and sieges, and even it housed some names you might have seen in history textbooks, such as Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau.
The Castle of Ravadinovo (Ravadinovo, Bulgaria)
One of the few castles that have been built during the more recent times, the Castle of Ravadinovo (which is popularly known as the “Castle In Love With the Wind”) is a modern architectural masterpiece whose elegant visuals and jaw-dropping aesthetics will take your breath away. This enchanting castle, which totally looks like something straight out of an animated movie, was constructed in the year 1996 by visionary architect Georgi Kostadinov Tumpalov. It has since been a popular tourist attraction, where both kids and adults can see their dreams unfold.
The Schwerin Castle (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany)
The beautiful Scherwin Castle successfully encompasses the beauty and grace of medieval castles, while still also holding onto the distinguished architectural features that set it apart from every other European Castle you might view. This majestic and eye catching castle has housed many dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg (later known as Mecklenburg-Schwerin) for centuries. This beautiful castle carries with itself several beautiful stories, and it is believed to be one of more stunning pieces of Romantic Historicism in Europe. Along with that, the Scherwin Castle is also set to become a World Heritage Site in the near future!
The Kremlin (Moscow, Russia)
If you’ve ever thought about visiting Russia, then you’d be remiss to not pay a visit to the Kremlin. Nestled in one of the largest fortifications in the region, the Kremlin is arguably the most popular castle in Russia. It boasts amazing views, which overlook the Moskva River, the vibrantly hued Saint Basil’s Cathedral, and the famous Red Square. The complex itself is more than just the castle, and also includes four others (plus four cathedrals and the Grand Kremlin itself). The very sight of this lovely palace complex is set to leave you speechless with its boundless splendor and luxury.
