Fairytales have always included beautiful castles guarded by dragons. But these structures are not just imaginary. There are some castles in the world that truly look like they belong in the movies, and some even inspired fairytales. Here are 10 of the most amazing!
Eltz Castle
Eltz Castle in Germany is a medieval castle that was built during the 12th century under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire. The condition of the castle is impressive when considering its age and the number of conflicts that have occurred in the region. This gorgeous building has remained intact.
Eltz Castle sits perched on top of a rock in the Eltz Forest, surrounded on three sides by the river Elzbach. The castle has remained in the same family for over 800 years, passed down through 34 generations.
Alcazar of Segovia
Alcazar of Segovia is a 12th-century castle that sits atop a cliff in Spain and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. It is one of the most famous medieval castles in the world and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain.
As if it weren’t close enough to a fairytale castle, it is actually rumored that Cinderella’s Castle, located at Disney World, was inspired by the architecture of this particular palace.
Hohenzollern Castle
Three castles were built on the site where Hohenzollern Castle stands in Germany. The first was built in the 11th century but was destroyed by 1423. The second was erected in the mid-15th century but eventually fell into disrepair during the 18th century.
Between 1850 and 1867, the final castle was built under the rule of King Frederick William IV of Prussia. Its Neo-Gothic architecture still looms over visitors who come to see both the castle and the museum (which houses a letter from US President George Washington!).
Mont-Saint-Michel
Built on a rocky island between Normandy and Brittany, France, the Gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to Archangel St Michel was built between the 11th and 16th centuries. Originally built as a commune, over the centuries it has been used as both a commune and a fortress castle.
It is completely surrounded by water during high tide, and it is that image, of Mont-Saint-Michel surrounded by water, that inspired the town and castle featured in Disney’s Tangled.
Berwartstein Castle
Berwartstein Castle is hidden in the Palatinate Forest of southwestern Germany and was built as one of the rock castles used to protect the Palatinate during the Middle Ages. The castle that stands there today is a restoration of the original structure that had undergone some damage over the centuries.
Some parts of the castle have been carved right into the rock face, including rooms, stairs, and passageways.
Alhambra Palace
Alhambra Palace was built between 1238 and 1358 and overlooks the Albaicín quarter of Granada in Spain. Originally planned for military purposes, this fortress was built under the Moorish Nasrid dynasty and serves as one of the most beautiful examples of Islamic architecture in Europe.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Alhambra fell into neglect and the property became the home of thieves and beggars. That is, until 1870 when the palace became a National Monument of Spain. In 1984, it officially became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Neuschwanstein Castle
One of Germany’s most famous castles, Neuschwanstein sits within the Bavarian Alps. The name translates to “New Swan Castle,” which is fitting given the building’s height and crisp white exterior. This castle may seem familiar, as it was the inspiration behind Disney’s 1959 film, Sleeping Beauty.
Built by King Ludwig II, it was inspired by composer Richard Wagner’s operas, and Ludwig once wrote to Wagner to say “the location is one of the most beautiful to be found, holy and unapproachable.” He wasn’t wrong, as Neuschwanstein stands on a cliff overlooking the majestic valley below.
Hluboká Castle
Located in the Czech Republic, Hluboká Castle was originally built in the 13th century but has undergone multiple rebuilds over the centuries. In 1871, it was given its final makeover in the image of Britain’s Windsor Castle and now sports a Neo-Gothic style of architecture.
The palace has 140 rooms and 11 towers, and it is commonly referred to as the most beautiful castle in the Czech Republic.
Château de Chillon
Castle Chillon is located right on the bank of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Believed to have been built sometime between the 11th and 12th centuries, this island castle has become one of the most visited monuments in Switzerland.
The first written record of the castle dates it back to 1005. It was built to guard the road between Burgundy and the Great Saint Bernard Pass, and was the summer home of the Counts of Savoy, who kept a fleet of ships on Lake Geneva.
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Bran Castle
The original castle that sat where Bran Castle now looms was built in 1212 and was made of wood by Teutonic Knights. It wasn’t until 1377 that a stone structure was built on the site.
Bran Castle has become famous for its association with Bram Stoker’s famous novel, Dracula. It is a national monument and landmark of Transylvania, and its location has made it become known as Dracula’s Castle, although the decaying structure in the novel bears no resemblance to the well-maintained Bran Castle of modern times.
