![\"Lichtenstein](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Lichtenstein-Castle.jpg\")
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The first castle to be built upon this rocky crag was constructed in 1200. Throughout the Middle Ages the castle was destroyed and rebuilt twice. The latest additions were built in the 1800s by Duke Wilhelm of Urach. The castle is still owned by this same family of Dukes and open to visitors year round.<\/p>\n
02. Warwick Castle – Warwickshire, England<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the best castles in Europe is also one of the oldest. Warwick Castle was originally built in the 11th century, and even though it\u2019s gone through several upgrades, it\u2019s still the stuff of medieval dreams. From the dark dungeon still equipped with shackles to the elegant halls filled with knights\u2019 Armor and paintings, Warwick Castle is perhaps the most intact fortress spanning nearly 1,000 years.<\/p>\n 03. Stirling Castle – Stirling, Scotland<\/strong><\/p>\n Built atop a dormant volcano, Stirling Castle was the fortress and royal residence of many past 16th century monarchs including Mary, Queen of Scots. Like many European castles, today\u2019s current structures include remnants from the late Middle Ages mixed with Renaissance influences.<\/p>\n 04. Kilkenny Castle – Kilkenny, Ireland<\/strong><\/p>\n Another of Europe\u2019s finest castles is located in Ireland. Kilkenny Castle was built in the late 1100s and was passed through various Earls until the mid-1900s when the Irish government bought it from the last family member. Today the castle is as stately and beautiful as ever, with lush grounds surrounding the stone towers.<\/p>\n 05. Neuschwanstein Castle – Hohenschwangau, Germany<\/strong><\/p>\n This list wouldn\u2019t be complete without what is arguably the world\u2019s most famous castle: Neuschwanstein. Thanks in large part to Walt Disney, this would-be residence of King Ludwig II has become so recognizable that it\u2019s often called the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Though it\u2019s not the oldest castle in Europe (construction started in the mid-1800s), Ludwig II\u2019s exquisite taste in furnishings gave this castle some of the most beautiful interiors in the world.<\/p>\n You may be wondering why noteworthy palaces like Versailles aren\u2019t included here.\u00a0 Architecturally, I feel that castles and palaces are quite different, so for this list I chose to focus specifically on medieval and Romanesque revival European castles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I adore castles. There\u2019s something about walking through a medieval fortress or royal residence and knowing that for hundreds of years legendary monarchs and nobles called these castles home. Visiting any castle is like stepping back in time. Surrounded by…<\/p>\n![\"Warwick](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Warwick-Castle.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Stirling](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Stirling-Castle.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Kilkenny](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Kilkenny-Castle.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Neuschwanstein](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Neuschwanstein-Castle.jpg\")
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