Thread by @xmuse_

World's Most Breathtaking Castles

From imposing medieval fortresses to enchanting fairy-tale palaces —

Let's journey to an era of knights, chivalry, and grandeur. (thread 🧵)

1. Perched in Slovakia, Orava Castle boasts a rich history and a spooky cinematic legacy, serving as the iconic setting for both the 1922 classic Nosferatu and the 2020 TV adaptation of Dracula.

2. Castel del Monte, Italy, was built during the 1240s by King Frederick II and stands out for its unique octagonal shape. In 1996 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized as a unique masterpiece of medieval military architecture.

📹 Giorgio Teti

3. Transylvania's Bran Castle (1377) is the legendary backdrop for the Dracula myth, a haunting medieval fortress shrouded in mystery.

4. On Denmark's picturesque Funen Island, Egeskov Castle stands as Europe's finest preserved Renaissance water castle, built in 1554 by Frands Brockenhuus.

📹 dio_nosenko

5. In Sicily's Sperlinga, an ancient castle appears to grow organically from the sandstone rock it occupies, a stunning fusion of architecture and nature.

6. Lichtenstein Castle is a breathtaking testament to Gothic Revival architecture, built between 1840-42. This private treasure was inspired by Wilhelm Hauff's novel, bringing literary romance to life.

7. Perched in the Bavarian Alps, Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century fairytale palace, commissioned by King Ludwig II as a tribute to his beloved composer, Richard Wagner, and a personal refuge.

8. Hluboká Castle, Czech Republic, is a stunning neo-Gothic château inspired by England’s Windsor Castle. Known for its white exterior and beautiful gardens, it is one of the most visited and picturesque castles in the country.

📹 guia_em_praga

9. Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino), in Naples, was built by Charles I of Anjou in the 13th century and later rebuilt by Alfonso V of Aragon in the 15th century.

10. Corvinilor Castle, also known as Hunyadi Castle or Hunedoara Castle, is a stunning representation of Gothic-Renaissance architecture located in Hunedoara, Romania.

11. Dating back to the 8th century, Castello di Torre Alfina, Italy, began as a humble watchtower, gradually transforming into a medieval fortress and later undergoing stunning Renaissance transformations.

📹 fabiofranco1980

12. Cochem Castle (Reichsburg), a medieval fortress founded in 1051 in Germany, rises phoenix-like from the ashes of a catastrophic fire, reborn through its 19th-century reconstruction.

13. Eltz Castle is a stunning medieval castle in Germany. This castle has been owned by the same family, the House of Eltz, since the 12th century.

📹 germanytourism

14. Burg Hochosterwitz is a medieval castle in Austria that dates back to 860. Perched atop a limestone rock, it offers panoramic views.

15. Nestled where three sea lochs meet in the Scottish Highlands, Eilean Donan Castle's 13th-century grandeur has been beautifully restored, making it a beloved landmark cherished for its natural beauty and historical importance.

📹 André Alexander

16. Rocchetta Mattei Castle, located near Bologna, Italy, is a fortress with a unique and eclectic design. It was built by Count Cesare Mattei in the latter half of the 19th century.

17. Scaligero Castle (Sirmione) is a medieval fortress located on the shores of Lake Garda in Italy. It was built by the Scaliger family of Verona in the 13th century.

18. The Château du Haut Kœnigsbourg is a medieval castle in Alsace, France. It was built by the Hohenstaufen dukes in the 12th century.

19. Schloss Holte in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock, Germany, is a Baroque water castle from the 17th century.

20. Pena Palace, located in Sintra, Portugal, is a stunning example of 19th-century Romanticism. Commissioned by King Ferdinand II and completed in 1854.

📹 hiswayorhighway

21. Stobnica Castle is not a historical building, but a modern project started in 2018 by a company called D.J.T. in Poland.

22. Hohenzollern Castle, Germany, was built in the 19th century. It boasts Gothic Revival architecture and historical artifacts, including the Crown of Wilhelm II.

23. Rocca Calascio, situated in the municipality of Calascio, Abruzzo, Italy.

24. Tucked away in greenery, Butrón Castle is a real-life page from a storybook in Spain’s Basque Country.