As kids, we were fascinated by castles where the Knight in Shining Armor and Princess lived happily ever after. A castle is a large building from the medieval period, fortified with the help of thick walls, battlements, towers, and a moat to protect against attacks.
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1. Malbork Castle, Poland
Also known as the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, it is the largest castle in the world by land area. Built by Tuotonic Knights and sold to the King of Poland in 1457, today it stands as a museum.
2. Mehrangarh Fort, India
Called a fort, but it is an Indian castle built by Rao Jodha in 1459. It has 7 famous gates out of which 2 were built to mark a victory, and signs of ancient beauty such as beautiful palaces and an old cannon. Today, it houses a museum exhibiting the decorated Rathore heritage.
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3. Prague Castle, Czech Republic
Considered as the largest ancient castle in the world, according to Guinness Book of World Records, it spans across 18 acres. It is one of the most visited tourist sites in Prague and is considered as the official office of the President of the Czech Republic.
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4. Windsor Castle, England
This is one of the largest inhabited castles in the world. It is the official residence of Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II. It is also popular tourist attraction and the venue for state and private hosting of the Queen.
5. Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg
The High Salzburg Fortress is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. It is situated at an altitude of 506 m and is one of Europe’s best preserved castles.
6. Spiš Castle, Slovakia
This is one of the largest castles in Central Europe by area. It was built on the site of another castle in the 12th century and owned by the King of Hungry. Over time, it changed owners and now belongs to Slovakia.
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7. Buda Castle, Hungary
This historical castle and palace was once home to Hungarian kings. Today it is converted to Hungarian National Gallery and The Budapest History Museum.
8. Himeji Castle, Japan
This castle is one of the finest surviving examples of Japanese castle architecture. It is often called as the White Heron Castle as its exterior resembles the bird taking flight. It is the largest and most visited castle in Japan.
Castles are filled with legends and stories of brave men. They may have been built to protect the nearby folks men and important people during war and natural disasters, but today they stand as a testament to moments that shaped their respective countries histories.