Title says all :)

I hope it's right section... I haven't found such thread before, so give it a chance :)


[UNESCO] Malbork Marienburg - the biggest brick castle in the world, Teutonic Order fortress. Built in XIII/XIV century; classic medieval fortress example.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/2593042642_7ceb88c2fd_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/325807379_5627fbc273_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/86/242640636_1d660d594a_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/383898113_d5c02ce9f2_b.jpg

That's not only castle in Poland, I just want to see if such thread has any sense ;)

Stirling Castle, Stirling, Scotland

http://www.rosshigh.co.uk/images/cms/2008/05/19/Stirling_1.jpg
http://www.*******************/europe/uk/images/s/stirling-castle.jpg
http://www.cressington-bb.co.uk/Images/Stirling,%20Falkirk,%20Clackmannanshire%20&%20the%20Campsies%20-%20Official%20Scotland%20Area%20Tourist%20Board%20Website_files/Stirling%20Castle.jpg
http://www.foxglovecottages.co.uk/photos/Stirling-Castle.jpg
http://*************************/scotland/jpgs/stirling_castle_cowco_jun04_building.jpg
http://golf.visitscotland.com/repositories/images/headers/383946
http://ferrelljenkins.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/stirling-castle.jpg
http://www.wind-watch.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/towers-over-stirling-castle.jpg

Casa Loma, Toronto

It was originally a residence for financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt. Casa Loma was constructed over a three-year period from 1911-1914.

http://www.yerich.net/projects/toronto/images/casa_loma.jpg

http://galenfrysinger.name/eh70/loma09.jpg

http://thefoutsfamily.com/images/georges/Casa_Loma_Garden.jpg

http://thefoutsfamily.com/images/georges/Casa_Loma_Foyer.jpg

http://ellidavis.com/images/toronto/neighbourhood-guide/Casa-Loma-by-David-Haberth.jpg

12 castles in Japan with non-replica keeps in existence

Himeji Castle aka Egret Castle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Himeji_Castle_The_Keep_Towers.jpg/800px-Himeji_Castle_The_Keep_Towers.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Himejijou_castle_grounds.jpg/1200px-Himejijou_castle_grounds.jpg

Matsumoto Castle aka Crow Castle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Matsumoto_Castle_1-1.jpg/800px-Matsumoto_Castle_1-1.jpg

Maruoka Castle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Keep_of_Maruoka_Castle_2.jpg/800px-Keep_of_Maruoka_Castle_2.jpg

Kochi Castle (1747)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Kochi_Castle09.JPG/800px-Kochi_Castle09.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Kochi_Castle08s3872.jpg/800px-Kochi_Castle08s3872.jpg

Matsue Castle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Matsue_Castle_Tenshu.jpg/450px-Matsue_Castle_Tenshu.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Matsue_Castle_01.JPG/800px-Matsue_Castle_01.JPG

Matsuyama Castle (Iyo)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Iyo-Matsuyama_Castle_tower.JPG/800px-Iyo-Matsuyama_Castle_tower.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ja/thumb/b/b2/Matsuyama_castle%28Iyo%2910.JPG/800px-Matsuyama_castle%28Iyo%2910.JPG

Matsuyama Castle (Bitchu)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ja/thumb/b/bd/%E5%82%99%E4%B8%AD%E6%9D%BE%E5%B1%B1%E5%9F%8E.jpg/800px-%E5%82%99%E4%B8%AD%E6%9D%BE%E5%B1%B1%E5%9F%8E.jpg

Hikone Castle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Hikone_castle18s3200.jpg/800px-Hikone_castle18s3200.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Genkyuen03s3000.jpg/401px-Genkyuen03s3000.jpg

Marugame Castle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Marugame_Castle01.jpg/800px-Marugame_Castle01.jpg

Inuyama Castle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Inuyama_castle_2.jpg/450px-Inuyama_castle_2.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Inuyama_castle_scenery.jpg/800px-Inuyama_castle_scenery.jpg

Hirosaki Castle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ja/thumb/6/60/Hirosaki-castle_Aomori_JAPAN.jpg/800px-Hirosaki-castle_Aomori_JAPAN.jpg

Uwajima Castle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ja/4/40/%E5%AE%87%E5%92%8C%E5%B3%B6%E5%9F%8E.jpg

^^ Japanese architecture is beautifuland interesting. Some don't like castles in fact :)

Książ Castle (ger. Furstenstein) in Lower Silesia. Built 1288-1292, then baroque rebuilding 1705-1732

http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/27/39/71/2739711161548174581.jpg

http://pieknemiejsca.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/zamek_ksiaz_7_-_krzysztof_zarkowski2.jpg

http://www.ksiaz.walbrzych.pl/pics/galeria/big/lotnicze_-_janusz_moniatowicz.jpg

http://www.ksiaz.walbrzych.pl/pics/galeria/big/zamek_ksiaz_5_-_krzysztof_zarkowski.jpg

Ruins of Ogrodzieniec, medieval castle from XIV-XV century. It is believed to be haunted ;)

http://www.agroweb.pl/gfx/zamek1.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Ogrodzieniec.jpg

Castles in England, UK

Leeds Castle, Kent
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/2245581323_c1bfa297bf_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/2/1557981_3b7b4bf0cc.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/2304411318_ce4ab7b1e2.jpg

Dover Castle, Kent
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/gunnerbill/2401486494_36b0d7122b_b.jpg

http://cdbprojectservices.com/Images/DoverCastleLargeImage.jpg

Deal Castle, Kent
http://www.kent.gov.uk/filmoffice/news-items/news-images/Deal_K920385%20Medium%20Web%20view.jpg

Hever Castle, Kent
http://www.timetravel-britain.com/articles/1photos/castles/hever1.jpg

http://www.w-meier.com/Hever%20Castle.jpg

Rochester Castle, Kent
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/67193485_ee5393f2bc.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1252/1409055896_9fdeeb2cfe.jpg

Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/113/271606840_9d5fde9a1e.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1178/841656412_07f7f6a5e5.jpg

Tower of London, London
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Tower_of_london_from_swissre.jpg

Windsor Castle, Berkshire
http://i.pbase.com/u42/ekchua/upload/31263627.WinsorCastle.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/gunnerbill/windsorcastlehiresiStock_0000079164.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/gunnerbill/castle.jpg

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex
http://www.wg3too.net/Scenic/Smaller/bodiam%20castle,%20england.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1254/615449884_5a4469d97c_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/39/82720752_f204e575ca.jpg?v=0

Arundel Castle, West Sussex
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/3083331796_bd06d76868_b.jpg

So be reminded during me played "RESIDENT EVIL 4" on Playstation 2 :D

Ponferrada Templar Castle (Spain), year 1148

The city is noted for the Castillo de los Templarios, a Templar castle which covers approximately 16,000 square meters. In 1178, Fernando II of León donated the city to the Templar order for protecting the pilgrims on the Way of St. James who passed through El Bierzo in their road to Santiago de Compostela.

Based over a Celtic settlement, the Castle hosted the Knights Templar's Grand Master of Castille. However, the Templars were only able to enjoy the use of their fortress for about twenty years before the order was disbanded and its properties confiscated in 1311. Several noble houses fought over the assets until Alfonso XI alloted them to the Count of Lemos in 1340. Finally the Catholic Monarchs incorporated Ponferrada and its castle into the Crown in 1486. As with many other historical sites in Europe, many of the blocks that at one point formed the walls of the castle were removed and used in local construction projects. Extensive restoration works are ongoing.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3381/3451311096_859bc3e5d1_b.jpg
by César Atanes.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1341/755627067_420956027b_b.jpg
by El piojoso encadenado.

As I presumed, British will rule in this thread :lol:

Wawel in Kraków; Polish Royal castle.

http://www.krakow-cracovia.pl/wawel-wisla-duze.JPG

http://p.web-album.org/c6/7b/c67b9a08face97259a56ee9cbc1d4bcaa,4,0.jpg

http://image28.webshots.com/29/0/61/85/234806185gBKivO_fs.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_74C_8dL8Hlg/RmM8PuCTiYI/AAAAAAAABMo/nvnowmHAnOo/2006-07-04+00+Wawel+ze+Ska%C5%82ek+Twardowskiego.JPG

One of the most historically important Castles in the world:

Krak de Chevaliers, Homs, Syria. Built originally by the Arabs in 1031 and taken over by the Crusaders in 1099.

http://www.homsonline.com/images/Hosn/KrakDesChevaliers_HosenAirView.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Reef/2849/court.jpg

http://jimbojack.com/Countries/Syria/Syria_Krak_d_Chevaliers_023.jpg

http://image34.webshots.com/35/7/68/33/2932768330076049015PdWYtt_fs.jpg


One of the oldest and largest castles in the world.

Aleppo Castle, Syria Originally built in middle of the 3rd millennium BC!

http://www.alfirastravel.com/images/fotos/syria/AleppoCitadel1.jpg

http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch618/War/allepo2.jpg

http://www.kairos-eme.org/upfiles/Citadel-Aleppo.jpg

http://almashriq.hiof.no/general/700/770/779/contemporary/fareeds-picts/Aleppo_Citadel_L.jpg

http://imagecache.allposters.com/images/pic/RHPOD/712-2236~The-Citadel-Aleppo-Unesco-World-Heritage-Site-Syria-Middle-East-Posters.jpg

http://image02.webshots.com/2/8/65/64/51886564dIbmHi_fs.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/39/Porte_citadelle_alep.jpg

Qait Bey Castle Alexabdria, Egypt:

Built in 1477 AD by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa'it Bey

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Qaitbay_0005.JPG

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3371695927_68d7fe1215.jpg?v=0

http://i.pbase.com/o6/93/779793/1/80529472.7HadZ94w.qaitbeyforttowergate.jpg

Cairo Citadel Built by Saladin in 1176.

http://www.longwoodholidays.co.uk/images/Pictures%20for%20emails/Citadel%20Cairo.jpg
http://looklex.com/egypt/photos/cairo39.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2550595609_a463929b6a_o.jpg
http://www.tectics.com/Cairo%20Mosque.JPG
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2674123085_bff578d97b.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2551418194_660b4d7d89_o.jpg

Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/13/106413-004-8F770D83.jpg

Framlingham Castle, Suffolk
http://www.cesc.co.uk/FramlinghamCastle.jpg

Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex
http://i.pbase.com/g6/79/582079/2/86754363.JxqGdGLP.jpg

St Michael's Mount, Cornwall
http://www.richardfrancis.com/photogallery/St.%20Michaels%20Mount.jpg

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
http://www.alnwickguide.co.uk/gallery/page/1.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2130/2492966156_d4307b3436.jpg

One of the most historically important Castles in the world:

Krak de Chevaliers, Homs, Syria. Built originally by the Arabs in 1031 and taken over by the Crusaders in 1099.

Actually most of the present day castle was built by the crusaders, who needed a large fortress there after the first crusade. The original part, built by the Arabs, was substantialy smaller.


For France (pictures taken from wiki and under open liscence)

Carcassonne
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Carcassonne-vignes.jpg

Chinon
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Château_Chinon.JPG

Angers
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Chateauangers.jpg

Pierrefonds
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Château_de_Pierrefonds_vu_depuis_le_Parc.jpg

Vincennes
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Vincennes_chemise_and_keep.jpg

Haut-Konigsbourg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Haut-koenigsbourg_02.jpg

Puilaurens
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Château_de_Puilaurens_-_Plan_large.jpg

[QUOTE=Matthieu;37183474]Actually most of the present day castle was built by the crusaders, who needed a large fortress there after the first crusade. The original part, built by the Arabs, was substantialy smaller.

Yes, the Crusaders expanded the original Arab castle.

Crac de Chevaliers is masterpiece.

So many great photos in this thread, thanks to you all ;)

For medieval times! :cheers:

Fantastic Thread. Beautiful architecture :)

some castels from portugal

http://www.associacaobeselguense.pt/btt2007/castelo4.jpg

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/4440/almourol1bd5.jpg

Palácio da PENA:
http://photos1.hi5.com/0026/516/872/Gqy7R8516872-02.bmp

source: google

I love castels from Japan and France, they are very beautiful

edit: more castels
http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficheiro:Castelo_de_Guimar%C3%A3es.JPG

Angers and Puilaurens remind me of Middle-Eastern castles.

Some Spanish castles

Aljaferia

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/143/320822594_df05ea9316.jpg

Alhambra
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2297/2378409418_6f0a65621f.jpg

Alcazar
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/1576511761_ffbecd1692.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/37/112624185_832447005d.jpg

Tossa de Mar
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1016/640887911_0c2e10fa5c.jpg

Peniscola
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2923967434_a654c4f0f3_o.jpg

Loare
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3382919550_48200b9496.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3382477357_0d378da713.jpg

Altafulla
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1210/1351152627_6f654ca7e1.jpg

Castillo de Coca
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/3041800240_a2bc64d417.jpg

Belver
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/2354659717_61225ae913.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2185508143_1a4d76f681.jpg

Guadamur
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/3033635517_47ff90497c.jpg

One of Europe's greates fortified walls.Avila.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2075/1929249202_52de1d9ed8.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1334/1175011607_9e73e8b27e.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/2825488553_d18908efac.jpg

Olite
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/3296825173_8a94268fba.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/3032672737_c65dea101c.jpg

Miravet
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2759343216_8645f542de.jpg

Morella
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2541805373_262e142461.jpg

Monestir de Poblet, Fortified Monastery
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2677983738_cd096c3d99.jpg

Cardona
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/2244430719_e3a1085282.jpg

^^ Great ones, especially Alcazar and Olite ;)

some of the japanese castle
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=455476

My city's castle
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11912356&postcount=23
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14817275&postcount=37
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12547279&postcount=47
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19839418&postcount=39

my kofu city pics
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=415653

Not one German has posted (a photo of the beautiful Neuschwanstein) in this thread yet?

Edo-Jo in Tokyo, destroyed during the war, was the largest castle ever built.
It was made up of 5 concentric rings of battlements, moats and towers around
a central Dojon, designed to trap and confuse attackers.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Edo_P2.jpg/800px-Edo_P2.jpg
www.wikimedia.org


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Edo_P_detail.jpg/800px-Edo_P_detail.jpg
www.wikimedia.org


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Kyosai_Kiyomitsu_001.jpg/1000px-Kyosai_Kiyomitsu_001.jpg
www.wikimedia.org


to gauge the huge size of the complex, it once occupied the entire Imperial Palace Park:

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/bluestylecom/imgs/d/3/d3df585a.JPG
http://image.blog.livedoor.jp

Sabugal Castle, Portugal

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/mirim1/castelosabugal01.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/mirim1/castelosabugal02.jpg

Lousã Castle, Portugal


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/mirim1/castelodearouce01.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/mirim1/castelodearouce02.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/mirim1/castelodearouce03.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/mirim1/castelodearouce05.jpg

Mouros Castle, Sintra, Portugal


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/mirim1/castelomouros02.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/mirim1/castelomouros04.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/mirim1/castelomouros03.jpg

Beja Castle, Beja, Portugal


http://www.al-farrob.com/photos/p0505004.jpg

http://www.portugal-book.com/alentejo/beja/IM002383.JPG

http://www.portugal-book.com/alentejo/beja/IM002384.JPG

http://www.portugal-book.com/alentejo/beja/IM002394.JPG

http://www.portugal.montranet.com/portugal/castelobeja/1.jpg

http://www.flextravel.nl/portugal/vasteland/alentejo/imgalg/Beja01.jpg

Pombal Castle, Pombal, Portugal

;7687100']http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/237/pombal0030hy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/9664/p31200618bz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/5876/p31200608mt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/4729/p31200485ws.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/4424/p31200470my.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/2659/p31200399xg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/9535/p31200412yr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/5904/p31200425tu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/207/p31200435hq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/2182/p31200444hb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/4608/p31200451wg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/4291/p31200497yg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/4301/p31200507ds.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/4347/p31200516ve.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/7025/p31200520gl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/9416/p31200533on.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/4161/p31200544dw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/6514/p31200555tz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/7052/p31200563jv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/8949/p31200589fy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/1494/p31200598hb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Bragança Castle, Bragança, Portugal



http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u17/banithor/Portugal/Castelos%20de%20Portugal/Castelo%20de%20Braganca/CastelodeBragana.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u17/banithor/Portugal/Castelos%20de%20Portugal/Castelo%20de%20Braganca/CastelodeBragana2.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u17/banithor/Portugal/Castelos%20de%20Portugal/Castelo%20de%20Braganca/CastelodeBragana3.jpg

all these are Portuguese castles or there is some one who were built bay moorish?

Sorry for the wide pic:

Alanya castle, Turkey

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Alanya_Panorama_full.jpg

THAILAND
http://www.thaiclinic.com/boardimg/Dr.Suntiparb_Chaiw-baDSC01114_resize.JPG
Sanctuary of Truth (Thai people called it castle)Pattaya City, Chonburi Province
http://www.konbaan.com/TripThai/ImgTrip6/2.jpg
Pimai stone castle Korat Province

^^ very nice! Then was it built?

iberian castles are great :drool:

Not one German has posted (a photo of the beautiful Neuschwanstein) in this thread yet?

here i am, but hohenzollern is much better, imo :D

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Burg_Hohenzollern_ak.jpg/800px-Burg_Hohenzollern_ak.jpg

Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City.
It was the Imperial Residence of Maximilan I and the empress Carlota during the Second Mexican Empire (1864).

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1976/chapultepec.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/78/chapultepeccastledining.jpg

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/8737/chapultepec8.jpg

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/7688/3317788027c3796c1055.jpg

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/984/89953559fwetstfs.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3928/90782125.png

Here the same Chapultepec Castle re-sized pic.

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1976/chapultepec.jpg

Those spaniards castles are amazing!:cheers:

Golubac is situated on river Danube, near to the Roumainien border...

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9537/serbiagolubac1.png (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/serbiagolubac1.png/)

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/5109/golubac1a2.jpg (http://img261.imageshack.us/i/golubac1a2.jpg/)

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/6784/golubac1a1c.jpg (http://img261.imageshack.us/i/golubac1a1c.jpg/)

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7476/golubac1a3.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/i/golubac1a3.jpg/)



Wikipedia ...:cheers:

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3831/golubac1a4.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/golubac1a4.jpg/)



Old view...



http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2439/golubac1c1.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/i/golubac1c1.jpg/)


http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5899/golubac1c3.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/golubac1c3.jpg/)



Paris - Belgrade...

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=760948&

Paris -ART DECO...

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=758038&

^^ very nice! Then was it built?


http://www.koratmagazine.in.th/sight/phimai/image/sanctuary.gif




Thailand's great Northeastern plateau is found to have numerous temples of varying sizes.
Most of these structures are believed to be about a thousand years old and built by the people of Brahmanic culture.
These buildings built of brick, and sandstone, or a combination of the both materials.
The basic structure is built from three to five-story surmounted by Buddhist statues, have a low base and their spires are not so tall.
Phimai is the most spectacular and the most important among all.
Geographically, this sanctuary is located on a plain a high plain surrounded by three large canals.
No one knows who actually built Phimai, or why it was built at the particular site it occupies.
However, one source declares,
"It was built in the 12th century and some years before Angkor Wat."
Monsieur H. Parmentier, the Angkorean expert, after a detail study at Phimai came to the conclusion that the temple was built in the reign of King Suriyavoraman (A.D. 1002-1049).
He held that its architectural style closely resembled Angkorean buildings.
Prasat Him Phimai which is the largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand.
It almost situated in the center of ancient Phimai city.
Its rectangular shape is 655 meters wide and 1,033 meters long.
Nowadays, the Sanctuary looks magnificently restored and renovated.
This fascinating ancient Khmer architecture has been preserved as the National Historical Park.
The monument itself is surrounded with two red sandstone walls.
The external wall and the gallery are punctuated by gate towers (Gopura) at four cardinal points, North, South, East and West.
[ A high point ]
Phimai sanctuary is oriented to the south.
But the orientation is not to the south exactly, the axis points 20 degrees east of south.
It may be that it was meant in order to face the direction of Angkor Wat.
There are ancient routes from here to Angkor Wat.
It is recommended that visitors start to enter the Phimai sanctuary from the outer south Gopura which is the main entrance.

Another pic of Carcassone :

http://dolphyns.free.fr/images/Cathares/Carcassonne.jpg


And The Mont St Michel , yes , it was a church , and a castel ! :lol:


http://www.linternaute.com/sortir/escap/ouest/mont-saint-michel/diaporama/images/01.jpg

British , Spanish and Japan castle surprising me , they are beautiful ! :drool:

May be Latvian castles are somewhat less interesting but still worth visiting. My Website has got a specific article about best castles in Latvia:
12 most interesting medieval castles in Latvia (http://www.ambermarks.com/Raksti/Topi/_E12VidPilis.htm)

Some pics here:

Cesis medieval castle ruins
http://www.ambermarks.com/Atteli/Mani/Cesu%20raj/Cesis/Cesu-pils3-29mar08.jpg

Koknese castle ruins
http://www.ambermarks.com/Atteli/Mani/Aizkraukles%20raj/Koknese/Kokneses-pils-no-pret-kr-29sep07.jpg

Lielstraupe medieval castle
http://www.ambermarks.com/Atteli/Mani/Cesu%20raj/Straupe/Straupes-pils4-21mar08.jpg

Riga III Order castle
http://www.ambermarks.com/Atteli/Mani/Riga/Vecriga/Rigas-pils-10sep07.jpg

Turaida castle ruins
http://www.ambermarks.com/Atteli/Mani/Rigas%20raj/Siguldas%20nov/Turaida-skats-R8-28sep08.jpg

La Kasbah Ait Ben Moro n'est pas un décor de cinéma, mais un authentique château du XVIIIème (attention : Dix Huitième) siècle restauré et reconverti en hôtel.
Un chef d'oeuvre de l'architecture traditionnelle en pisé qui offrira à ses hôtes le goût unique d'un voyage dans le Maroc d'antan.

Sur le fond, les montagnes du Haut Atlas et l'ancienne Kasbah d'Amerhidil contrastent avec le vert de la palmeraie centenaire qui surgit au milieu de ce paysage désertique.

Ainsi aurait souhaité son ancien constructeur, un notable arabo-andalous du XVIIIème siècle ainsi que le veut aujourd'hui son restaurateur et maître des lieux, andalous lui aussi…

La Kasbah Ben Moro est située au bord de la palmeraie, à côté du village tranquille de Skoura, à 39 km à l'Est de Ouarzazate.

La nuit, le calme règne sur ce domaine et les étoiles brillent dans le ciel…


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April 27th, 2009, 06:15 PM #2
Redalinho
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Paris
Posts: 21,617
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April 27th, 2009, 06:15 PM #3
Redalinho
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April 27th, 2009, 06:16 PM #4
Redalinho
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Paris
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Hi evryone!
I'm bringing here some photos from Albanian Castels. I hope u enjoy them!!
I'm starting with the city of Kruja, (15,000 inhabitants, 35km from the capital Tirana) and it's medieval castel, Kruja castel.


This is amaizing: http://images.google.it/imgres?imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3378092815_893ed91dff.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadissad/3378092815/&usg=__VHX5_TqTvQzZwYMQmx7y3Xcx3BU=&h=333&w=500&sz=144&hl=it&start=4&um=1&tbnid=GH42IiHTMCY-qM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkeshtjella%2Be%2Bkrujes%26hl%3Dit%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/kruja5-1.jpg


http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/kruja4-1.jpg


http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/keshtjella_e_krujes.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/kruja9.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/kruja6-1.jpg



http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/kruja10.jpg


http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/kruja11.jpg


http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/kruja6-1.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/kruja7-1.jpg


Albanian hero Gjergj Kastrioti, Skanderbe (George Kastriota) Scanderbe (for the Turks) which defended the castle and all the albanian lands from the ottman occupation.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/kruja8-1.jpg

This Thread is amazing !!!

Regards.

Phanom Rung stone castle in Buriram province, Thailand

Located between Amphoe Nang Rong and Amphoe Prakhon Chai in Buriram at the right-turn on Km. 83-84 of Highway No. 24 and twelve kilometers further on. The well-known Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is on the top of the Phanom Rung Mountain. It is a walled-in enclosure, with both the door framed and walls carved in beautiful design of Lopburi Period style with Khmer influence. It is thought that it was originally built as an idol temple according to Brahminic belief.

Within the Prasat or castle, is the vibrant stone hall built in the 12th century A.D. The beauty of the main prang of Phanom rung lied not only in its plan, but in the vibrant stone cravings which cover large parts of the temple. Many lintels and pediments depict episodes from Indian texts such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas

One of the lintels, the well-known "Narai Bantomsin", which depicts a reclining Vishnu, was recently returned from a museum in the United States. This 12th century temple complex has recently been restored and preserved in an attractive historic park. Enhancing the imposing architecture is the hill-top location which commands panoramic views of the surrounding countryside

http://www.weekendhobby.com/board/photo/picture%5C298255018454.jpg
http://www.2how.com/board/picture/0801/17tsh877.jpg
http://gotoknow.org/file/drkamie/DSC00578a.jpg
http://www.travelthaimagazine.com/images/wbques_1223510320/5xxx.gif
http://www.travelthaimagazine.com/images/1205652259/1205653043.jpg

http://blog.spu.ac.th/home/blog_data/29/1029/images/narai.jpg
Narai Bantomsin

Situatet in north-west Albania, 100 km from the capital (Tirana), the city of Shkodra is the largest city in north Albania, 150000 inhabitants.
In the background of the Shkodra city, the "Rozafa" castle rises imposingly on a rocky hill, 130m above the sea level. It seems as if iron claws keep it on the steep rocks, surrounded by the Buna and Drini rivers.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/shkodra1.jpg


History and Legend

The castle is known by the topomym "Rozafa". The hill on which castle lies, is in the center of all routes. The German author Johan Georgvan Han has asserted that no other place would be as suitable for its construction as the one chosen by the ancestors who were well aware of this fact. The castle has faced the torrents of history for thousands of years retaining ancient and medieval traces which are inseparably bound up with the roots of Shkodra city.

Its legend, archeology and history testify to its early existence. The legend is about the initiative of three brothers who set about building the castle. They worked all day, but the walls fell down at night. They met a clever old man who advised them to sacrifice someone so that the walls would stand. The three brothers found it difficult to decide whom to sacrifice. Finally, they decided to sacrifice one of their wives who would bring lunch to them the next day. So they agreed that whichever of their wives was the one to bring them lunch the next day was the one who would be buried in the wall of the castle. They also promised not to tell their wives of this. The two older brothers, however, explained the situation to their wives that night, while the honest youngest brother said nothing.

The next afternoon at lunch time, the brothers waited anxiously to see which wife was carrying the basket of food. It was Rosafa, the wife of the youngest brother. He explained to her what the deal was, that she was to be sacrificed and buried in the wall of the castle so that they could finish building it, and she didn't protest.

The faithfulness of the youngest brother and the life sacrifice of his young wife are highlighted as elements thas acquire symbolic importance. Rozafa, who was predestined to be walled was worried about her infant son, though accepted being walled on condition that they must leave her right breast exposed so as to feed her newborn son, her right hand to caress him and her right foot to rock his cradle.

Inside the castel:
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/rozafa_gjiri__ver.jpg
I plead
When you wall me
Leave my right eye exposed
Leave my right hand exposed
Leave my right foot exposed
for the sake of my newborn son
so that when he starts crying
Let me see him with one eye
Let me caress him with one hand
Let me feed him with one breast
Let me rock his cradle with one foot
May the castle breast be walled
May the castle rise strong
May my son be happy

This was done, and that is why there is a stone in the castle from which, even today, milk flows.









http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/shkodra3.jpg


http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/shkodra2.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/rozafati.jpg


http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/roxzafati2.jpg


http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/4rozafa_4.jpg


ather photos from Bardhok Ndoi


http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja1.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja4.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja6.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja7.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja8.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja10.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja12.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja13.jpg


http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja15.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja23.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja22.jpg


Internal ambients

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/tyneli_rozafaver.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01993.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01988.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02019.jpg


http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC019444.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02052.jpg



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01979.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01988.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn255/beloni_photo/rozafa3.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01992.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01994.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01995.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02001.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02003.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02024.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02022.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02026.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02028.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02042.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02049.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02054.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02047.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02048.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02056.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02057.jpg


http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02061.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02066.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02062.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01914.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01938.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02074.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01918.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02044.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02060.jpg

The city of Shkodra
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01925.jpg


Now some pictures from the wonderful nature around the castle..


http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja8.jpg


http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja14.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja17.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja18.jpg


http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja21.jpg



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/kalaja2.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02035.jpg


http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/riverhouse.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02067.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02071.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/wallsofrozafa.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01966.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC01974.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02069.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/bardhiDJ/Rozafa%20castle/DSC02064.jpg

I'm concluding this long report from Rozafa Castel, with the hope, that you ejoye these photos, and with a great thanks to Barthok Ndoi and the other guyes for these wonderful photos!:cheers:

Jiayuguan, China, and the first Chinese frontier on the Silk Road

http://business.missouri.edu/zou/Pics/China/Jiayu.jpg
http://business.missouri.ed
http://sunsite.nus.edu.sg/mw/iss04/silk/olly3.jpg
http://sunsite.nus.edu.sg
http://www.chinamotorhome.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/15Jiayuguan_Pass_2.256210032_std.jpg http://www.theodora.com/wfb/photos/china/jiayuguan_gansu_province_china_photo_beijing2008.jpg
www.chinamotorhome.com, www.theodora.com


Gyantse

http://image05.webshots.com/5/8/6/35/65480635bpkKxA_ph.jpg
http://image05.webshots.com
http://kekexili.typepad.com/photos/friendship_highway_trip/tar_1_530.jpg http://dilithium.org/tibet/places/jpeg/0885-87.JPG
http://kekexili.typepad.com, http://dilithium.org

and of course, Potala Palace, Tibet 656ft high and the tallest building of the ancient world:

http://sedgehammer.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/potala-palace-at-lhasa-2.jpg
http://sedgehammer.files.wordpress.com
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Potala_Palace_05-2007.jpg/800px-Potala_Palace_05-2007.jpg
www.wikimedia.org

^^ Amazing! Must visit some castles (non-Disney) in the future. :D

Castles of Spain:

http://www.castillosnet.org/spanishcastles/source/mapa_index.php

ANDRIA

Castel del Monte:

http://www.domusromulea.it/Castel-del-Monte.jpg


CATANIA

Ursino Castle (13th century):

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3434/ursinoan2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

AciCastello:

http://i37.tinypic.com/b7ksh1.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/2jg1jzr.jpg

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/3159/cataniaposizionekd0.png (http://imageshack.us)


MILANO

Sforzesco Castle:

http://www.ilguerriero.it/pugilato/articoli/fpi/conferenza_milano/castello_sforzesco.jpg


NAPOLI

Maschio Angioino:

http://www.russobros.it/main/images/wp/wp_napoli_maschio_angioino_1024.jpg


RAGUSA

Donnafugata Castle:

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2091/donnafugata3ff6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/8849/donnafugatage7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5485/ragusaposizionelq6.png (http://imageshack.us)


ROMA

Castel Sant'Angelo:

http://www.trova-roma.com/public/IMG/arton10364.jpg

This Castle was build for the spanish in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia in the 17th century and it´s the biggest fort build for the spanish crown in South America colony times.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/fabriziocg79/afigura056pv.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/fabriziocg79/aside-view-of-castillo.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/fabriziocg79/aCastillo_San_Felipe_Nueva_Ilum_2.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/fabriziocg79/acastillo-san-felipe15.jpg

Lahore Fort, Lahore, Pakistan

http://www.clothmen.com/PageFile/lahore-fort.jpg

http://www.patelsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/lahore-fort.jpg

http://lahore.metblogs.com/archives/images/2006/07/Lahore%20Google.jpg

Derawar Fort, Bahawalpur., Pakistan

http://alfatihoun.edaama.org/Al%20Fatihoun/Galleries%20Files/Pakistan/Pakistan%2002/images/Side%20wall%20of%20derawar%20fort%20(cholistan%20desert)%20in%20bahawalpur..jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/175/424230091_cbc26c2d27.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/8593/derawarep6.png

http://www.mybahawalpur.com/bahawalpur-specials/derawar-fort.jpg

Balti fort, Hunza, Pakistan

http://www.luxtreks.com/Pakistan%20photos%20for%20report/Baltit%20fort%20Hunza%20main.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/118/289294718_581d4d32af.jpg?v=0

http://image50.webshots.com/50/4/88/24/2788488240050197446SKyhqC_ph.jpg

What a wonderful thread! I am completely passionated for castles and medieval tows but unfortunatelly I have never been in Europe. The castles that more atract me are that from Central Europe. I love germans castles from Rhein River, this Hohenzollern that is here and so on. THe Czech castles are wonderful too ( karstejn, Krivoklat, Konopist, Bouzov etc) and that from Poland and Switerzland too. Wow, Malbork Marienburg is one that I wish to visit someday!!! I am brazilian and here we didn´t have medieval age then we have just fortress to defend our coast against pirates but not authentic castles. Some richs build castles just to live but it is considered fake. I am a teacher of History here and my little students feel enchanted with castles too. I will save this topic in " My favorites".

Lampião, you are putting portuguese castles here. Then put too Montemor-o-velho and the castelo dos templários too. They are nice!

In My country, Colombia the Castle most beautiful is the Castle of Cartagena....
Is a other tipe of Castles...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Castillo_San_Felipe_de_Barajas_Cartagena_Colombia.png

http://www.viajarsinbrujula.es/files/media/2008/08/colombia-castillo-de-cartagena-450.jpg

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/03/68/2d/side-view-of-castillo.jpg

http://www.re-moto.com/photos/00637-COL-Cartagena-Fuerte_de_San_Felipe.jpg

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

More from Colombia

Museo El Castillo (Medellín, Antioquia)


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1191/742500094_ff4521ef0b.jpg

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2293/dsc00801cg2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2711872459_aecabe5b3f.jpg?v=0

I can't get enough of all these pics! :banana: More please!

What a wonderful thread! I am completely passionated for castles and medieval tows but unfortunatelly I have never been in Europe. The castles that more atract me are that from Central Europe. I love germans castles from Rhein River, this Hohenzollern that is here and so on. THe Czech castles are wonderful too ( karstejn, Krivoklat, Konopist, Bouzov etc) and that from Poland and Switerzland too. Wow, Malbork Marienburg is one that I wish to visit someday!!! I am brazilian and here we didn´t have medieval age then we have just fortress to defend our coast against pirates but not authentic castles. Some richs build castles just to live but it is considered fake. I am a teacher of History here and my little students feel enchanted with castles too. I will save this topic in " My favorites".

Personally I didn't think that thread, that I started will gain so much popularity :P It's a pity that your students can't see all those magnificent fortresses with their own eyes. It's true living history. I was in Malbork castle few times and it's very spectacular. Also inside - almost all gothic interiors are restored (Soviets burned castle in 1945).

I think that visiting Europe is nice idea for holidays, think about it :)

Warsaw, Royal Castle

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Royal-Castle-of-Warsaw_AB.jpg/792px-Royal-Castle-of-Warsaw_AB.jpg

Castle square panorama

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/6271/360g.jpg

ElvenKing,
Of course I would love to visit Poland , Germany, Switerzland, Czech Republic etc on holidays but I don´t have money to it soon. :( But I hope that I will be able to visit them in future. I like a lot to take pictures and I would take 1500 pics or more if I would be there! :) Here in Brazil we like so much countries of Central Europe because they are so romantic and different of all we have here. If you are polish , do you know that in XIX we received here millions of inmigrants from Central Europe and from Italy and we have one state where people from Poland, Ukrania, Russia , etc are majority . They have there Poland Garden and houses made of wood using a kind to build houses that existed in Poland centuries ago and that do not exist there anymore. See you!

Central Europe has much to offer, not only beautiful castles, so think about it seriously ;)

Could you show some examples of those Brazilian fortresses you mentioned before?

In the meantime - Moszna Castle

http://www.szamot.miechowice.net/obrazy/moszna(1).jpeg

http://lanciapolska.org/pliki/zloty/moszna/moszna2.jpg

Oh, and btw my father was also history teacher for many years as well as you :)

Wow. Mozsna Castle is unbelievable!!! Like a dream made with rocks !

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/rd7ae1.jpg?t=1258306230
Fortress of the Reis Magos ( Magic Kings) in city called Natal ( the name of this city in English would be Christmas) in state of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil. The format of the fortress is a star .

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/89417733_082f3020be.jpg?t=1258306291 Fortress in " Ilha do Mel" ( in English would be Island of Honey) in Parana state - Brazil

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/principal_pe_estrada05.jpg?t=1258306336 Ilha do Mel where the fortress is in it.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/fpolis3.jpg?t=1258306381
http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/3-forteSJPG.jpg?t=1258306421
Fortress in Florianópolis city in Santa Catarina state - Brazil ( there are 5 fortress in this city situated in an island . The beaches there are wonderful).

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/cabo-frio-foto.jpg?t=1258306504 Praia do Forte ( The Fortress beach) in Cabo Frio city ( Cabo Frio in English means Cold cape and it is located in Rio de Janeiro state in Brazil - but do not imagine that the city is cold. It has summer during all year . Near this place there is a town called Buzios where BRigit Bardot called Paradise because unbelievable beaches).

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/cabofrioforte_400.jpg?t=1258306598
http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/100112501_7bd48c1916.jpg?t=1258306538 The Fortress that is in this beach

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/FORTE_PRINCIPE_DA_BEIRA.jpg?t=1258306735

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/forte20principe.jpg?t=1258306715

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/fortalesa.jpg?t=1258306695

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/marcelolisa/243.jpg?t=1258306669

Fortress Príncipe da Beira ( Prince of Beira fortress in English) located in middle of the rainforest in Rondonia state near borders of Bolivia - in Brazil.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3626482497_2238f5d559.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3626481979_0842b7993e.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3626481001_d72354c970.jpg?v=0

Fortress Príncipe da Beira ( Prince of Beira fortress in English) located in middle of the rainforest in Rondonia state near borders of Bolivia - in Brazil.

Very interesting! they are so similar to the Spanish fortreses

Here's the only two from Mexico.

There's only two structures to be considered actual castles in Mexico

They are:

Castillo Santa Secilia. Built in the 16th century, it was the home of a wealthy local mine owner in the city of Guanajuato, in central Mexico. Today it's a hotel. Although it looks very medieval, its purpose was only as a home, but not a fortress, therefore it's not 100% castle. The whole city of Guanajuato looks very medieval, but it dates back only to the 16th century.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cJ2V9vlqINI/SXKBGb9n0_I/AAAAAAAAE7U/ZJVqIzCW3JE/DSCN4007.JPG

This is the best known one, the Imperial Chapultepec Castle. It was too built in the 16th century, and this is considered by most experts as the only true castle in the Americas. It meets the criteria of both royal/noble home and fortress. It housed all the Mexican Viceroys (representatives of the Spanish monarch in New Spain) for 300 years until independence in 1821. It housed both of the Mexican Imperial Families, and many Mexican presidents until the 1930s. It is built on top of a hill in the middle of what is now the city, and a forest below.
http://www.unameseca.com/Ejercicios/Intermedio_2/2006/copreteritoPreterito/indicativo_subjuntivo/chapultepec/chapultepec-castle.jpeg

Eagle Nests Trail (Polish: Szlak Orlich Gniazd) is a marked trail in south-western Poland, on Kraków-Jura Highlands, running roughly from Częstochowa to Kraków.

The trail is named after a series of medieval castles it passes by. The castles date mostly to the 14th century and were constructed by the order of King of Poland, Kazimierz the Great and are named 'Eagle Nests' as most of them were located on large, tall rocks.

Most of them were built along the 14th century Polish - Czech border, as Silesia belonged to the Kingdom of Bohemia back then. The trail, considered one of the best trails in Poland. It encompasses 25 castles and has 163km (the bicycle trail has 188km).

http://zamki.res.pl/jura3.gif

some pic of the castles:

Ogrodzieniec castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1783421.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1448738.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1610069.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1875667.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1860621.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1822759.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1804554.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1798584.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1795991.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1663932.jpg

Olsztyn castle near Czestochowa

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1653888.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1794179.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1854566.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1700190.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1782570.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1658482.jpg

Bedzin castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1698612.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1389568.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1802948.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1778839.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1768545.jpg

Morsko castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1760794.jpg

Mirow castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1840484.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new/1337957.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1873105.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1793012.jpg

Siewierz castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1769019.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1567571.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Siewierz_-_Zamek_01.jpg/800px-Siewierz_-_Zamek_01.jpg

Smolen castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1803480.jpg

Lipowiec castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1487029.jpg

Rabsztyn castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1866592.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1733263.jpg

Rudno castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1833979.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1851627.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1838005.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1837067.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1818641.jpg

Bobolice castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1768926.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1822890.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1729726.jpg

Krzokiew castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1789069.jpg

Pieskowa Skala castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1871312.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1788319.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1798394.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1719654.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1711429.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1671225.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1632081.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1617548.jpg

Ojcow castle

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1835666.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1755655.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1755322.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1666876.jpg

Tyniec abbey

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1813302.jpg

Slovakia is full of castles - most of them were rebuilded after the invasions of Mongols in 13th century. Here are some of the most famous and important:

Castle of Devín was one of the central castles of Great Morava, the most powerful Slavic country in early middle-age. Devín was destroyed by Napoleons army

http://www.slovakia.travel/Photo/data/Images/DetailSize/0/Devin_DBU_DSC_0001.JPG.jpeg

Bratislava castle is the most famous slovak castle, is also on slovak euro coins. Maria Theresia loved this castle. Was destroyed in 1811 by flame, in 50s was reconstructed

http://queez.bloguje.sk/hrad.JPG

Castle of Nitra is probably the oldest castle in Slovakia from 9th century, capital of Pribinas kingdom. Pribina was the first count of Slavs - proto-Slovaks

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/Sabkad/Foto43.jpg?t=1247087543

the most beautiful is Castle in Bojnice, which was romantically rebuilded in the end of 19th century

http://www.zsmedilava.edu.sk/files/foto/bojnice.jpg

the largest is Castle of Spiš - the wooden castle was destroyed by Mongols, after that was builded as a stone castle. Spiš buried in 18th century.

http://www.wintersummer.sk/foto/hrad.jpg
http://www.zamky.sk/UserFiles/Image/pamiatky_title/spissky.jpg

The slovakian castles are beautiful, so much history!. Perhaps I should go on a vacation to Slovakia in the future.

Some really impression Polish and Slovakian castles here

Poland

Czorsztyn and Niedzica castles

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1892094.jpg

http://plfoto.com/zdjecia_new2/1884873.jpg

Some castles in inland Croatia

Frankopan castle in Ogulin

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/2283/1463589512439ceea9d7o.jpg

Brod na Kupi

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/6997/brodnakupis0s9d.jpg

Veliki Tabor

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8770/dsc0020jp8.jpg
Veliki Tabor befofe restoration. ^^
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5622/img0257n.jpg

Djurdjevac - old town

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/3120/djurdjevacs0s0ss.jpg

Bosiljevo

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9932/bosiljevo102lu2.jpg

Dubovac

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/8145/2587668175f01d4e667ao.jpg

Ozalj castle on the Kupa river

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8485/2979110110094057110kpur.jpg

Sisak

]http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/9861/sisak.jpg

Orsic by Jastrebarsko

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/8766/dvoracorsicstarigradsla.jpg

Varazdin

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/8774/imgp9649.jpg

Cakovec

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2461/293382799d2e44ae3e8b.jpg

Klenovnik

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/798/klen1.jpg

Marusevec

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7770/1000531mzm.jpg

Trakoscan I

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/4589/6908615.jpg

Trakoscan II

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5792/trakoscan33gldvoracljet.jpg

Kutjevo

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/7580/7637449.jpg

and so on..... :)

:cheers:

Some castles in Portugal:

Castle of Óbidos

http://emdestarreja.net/php/images/stories/obidos_01.jpg

http://tirelas.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/castle_obidos1.jpg

http://fotocache02.stormap.sapo.pt/fotostore01/fotos//d5/d2/28/50917_0000c4y3.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Obidos_April_2009-4b.jpg

Castle of Santa Maria da Feira

http://mjfs.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/santa-maria-da-feira-1-aveiro-portuguese-eyes.jpg

http://fotocache01.stormap.sapo.pt/fotostore01/fotos//e1/97/e5/1794735_kCVcD.jpeg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/268/26819465860688164d469ca83d5b84a3_3a0.jpg

Castle of S.jorge [Lisbon]
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0rVZDhYT4uk/SfjQgqNPbXI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/KiVLI6UFpT0/s320/lisboa_-_castelo_s_jorge.jpg

http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/images/lisbon/images/castelo-001.jpg

http://srv.fotopages.com/2/5740860/Vista-do-Castelo-de-S-Jorge-Lisboa.jpg
View from the castle

http://bernardolx.net/wp-content/uploads/lisboa_castelo_sao_jorge.jpg

Fortified town of Almeida
http://blog.uncovering.org/archives/uploads/2008/08021801_blog.uncovering.org_almeida.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/AlmeidaGate.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KQmUgdsOX1s/SVFdNjsjiuI/AAAAAAAAAtc/1x4hheffzhg/s400/almeida01.jpg

Castle of Montemor-o-Velho
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/MontemorVelho-CCBY-4.jpg

http://ipt.olhares.com/data/big/115/1159881.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_JMc0j6Iwsn8/ST-tmepBvVI/AAAAAAAAF2I/l512X_B-I7Q/Montemor-o-Velho%20-%20Foto%20Rui%20Ornelas%20-%202007%20-%201%5B10%5D.jpg

Castle of Marvão
http://marvao.portalegredigital.pt/candidatura_portugues/Menus/Album%20de%20Fotos/Annex%20C.002.jpg

http://www.tonecas.com/discovery.by/7%20maravilhas_pt/mon03_f1.jpg

Castle of Leiria
http://www.guiadoestudante.ipleiria.pt/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/leiria-1.jpg

http://purl.pt/13860/1/images/imagens_miguel_torga/leiria.jpg

http://www.embaixadadeportugal.jp/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/leiria_castelo.jpg

Romania - Castle of Bran (a.k.a Dracula's castle)

http://holydaytime.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/castelul-bran-21641.jpg

http://lbarza.free.fr/images4/CastelulBran.jpg

http://lbarza.free.fr/imagesRom/BranCropInt.jpg

http://lbarza.free.fr/imagesRom/BranTurnInterior.jpg

http://lbarza.free.fr/imagesRom/BranCropInt.jpg

http://buje.blogs.tfm.ro/files/2007/08/cst-bran.JPG

http://www.infotravelromania.ro/foto/bran/bran_scarasecreta.jpg

http://www.pensiunea-jupanitei.ro/fisiere/image/castelul_bran.jpg

http://image18.webshots.com/19/6/81/44/209368144ChzJMg_ph.jpg

Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a maritime replenishment station, the Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa.

From 1678 it was the centre of civilian, administrative and military life at the Cape, until the settlement grew and some functions and activities moved away from the Castle. Today the Castle is the seat of the military in the Cape, and houses the Castle Military Museum and Iziko Museums Cape Town (William Fehr Collection).
http://www.castleofgoodhope.co.za/Castle2007.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/528804885_999f22b00d.jpg
http://blog.hotelclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/castle-of-good-hope-cape-town.jpg
http://image04.webshots.com/4/6/15/20/72761520lBuwhe_ph.jpg

King Johns Castle Limerick City Ireland (hometown)

http://croom.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/king-johns-castle-sryan.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2166/2079637883_1166b089e4.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2107/2079638013_4289f365bc.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/452713421_8cb5af0ff3.jpg?v=0

rest of ireland


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/474708806_42fddba822.jpg?v=0
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1127/686293911_7f30bb6eef.jpg?v=0
http://www.chrispluchar.com/album/Ireland/Coastal%20Castle/slides/27.JPG
http://dippy.smugmug.com/photos/268939678_XA7uu-S.jpg
http://www.tridentholidayhomes.ie/Self-Catering/Ireland/Clare/Spanish-Point/WestPark-Holiday-Homes/Bunratty-Castle-_-Day.aspx
http://images.travelpod.com/users/danblank/round_the_world.1162492560.castle-on-the-cliff.jpg
http://image24.webshots.com/25/4/93/25/2855493250033907170hLZDQX_fs.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/1860968659_252e5e9ff6.jpg

these are only a few that i know of..there are literally thousands more i dont know about in ireland

Nice thread. But Germany is definitely underrepresented here. ;)

So let's start with my home state, Lower Saxony... which means that you still have to wait for Neuschwanstein since it's in Bavaria. :tongue3:
(I sure have to admit that the most impressive German castles are located in Southern Germany)

But as mentioned above, we'll start in the North.

Bentheim Castle, near the Dutch border.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3413926471_8dbe53e7b3.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3226183004_b594200135.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3414718946_579766158c.jpg

Dankwarderode Castle, Brunswick

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/1748870309_e3670060f7.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2319/2478380031_2fa4d2bc1a.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3227398202_fc65cf087d.jpg

Marienburg Castle, halfway between Hanover and Hildesheim. Still official residence of the House of Guelph.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/Marienburg_Leinebr%C3%BCcke.jpg/450px-Marienburg_Leinebr%C3%BCcke.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Marienburg_S%C3%BCdhang.jpg/800px-Marienburg_S%C3%BCdhang.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Marienburg_Eingang.jpg/437px-Marienburg_Eingang.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/178910911_ab636c0ea9.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/175639166_5a99700921.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/174489657_6ec0f88811.jpg

Sources: flickr, Wikipedia

Romania, Corvins Castle
http://www.lugojturism.ro/images/photoalbum/album_4/hunedoara-1_t2.jpg
http://karpaty.prygl.net/foto/rumunsko/hunedoara-v.jpg
http://www.galeriafoto.com/photos/data/548/curte-interioara-castelul-corvinilor-hunedoara-hdr.jpg
http://blog.foxclub.ro/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/1.gif
http://juvo.weblog.ro/usercontent/23/23271/imagini/DSC00660.JPG
Peles Castle. residence of the Romanian Royal family
http://sinaxis.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/castelul-peles-romania.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Castelul_Peles.jpg
http://www.pensiunesinaia.ro/images/turistic/Interior_Peles.jpg
http://www.romeohuidu.com/d/1599-2/castelul_peles3.jpg
http://www.ciolac.com/PicsRomania/Romanian/Peles_01.jpg

OK, I think that Bulgaria should also be represented even though we don't have that much castles that are well preserved :

Euxinograd :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Euxinograd-palace-benkovski.png

Battendberg castle :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Rousse-architecture3.jpg

Tsarska Bistrica :

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Tsarska_Bistritsa_Gruev.JPG

King's castle :

http://i25.tinypic.com/35dawr7.jpg

And some of the fortress :

Tsarevets :

http://rtolova.blog.bg/photos/42206/original/Carevec-night.jpg

http://www.bg-history.info/i/947.jpg

http://k53.pbase.com/o6/99/711799/1/68719400.5EfVRdoA.VTarnovo_5974txt.jpg

Baba Vida :

http://i26.tinypic.com/xkslkp.jpg

Belogradchik :
http://i27.tinypic.com/2coiflz.jpg

Some Belgian castles

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2534201025_8026100077_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1339/1161062103_ffee9450ed_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/503636076_eb6c9f041b_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/43617225_d02217683f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2949362256_257ec198ac_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/109/256697494_24713c18b8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2959795510_bd98e09fbb_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2600/3703929018_99eceae592_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3445167242_0f4e53f559_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/2923211027_5d0f221822_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/115/285651387_83a50bfb97_b.jpg

Great castles with beautiful appearance

www.keralaarthome.com
Interior architecture kerala ('http://www.keralaarthome.com')

http://ipripak.org/images/pakistan/16.jpg

http://www.asiatravelling.net/pakistan/islamabad/images/islamabad_rohtas_fort.jpg

http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/attachments/month_0802/Noen%20bilder%20av%20Rohtas%20Fort%2001_z1rrkPXJ47Ia.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/39/NoorMahalbwp.JPG/800px-NoorMahalbwp.JPG

http://www.maqpoon.org/images/kharpochofort.jpg

http://www.visitnorthernareas.gov.pk/Districts/skardu/Skardu/shiger%20fort.JPG

http://www.geocities.com/zed_net2003/shigar_fort_001.jpg


http://image02.webshots.com/2/5/97/38/47759738aQawNR_ph.jpg

http://www.imagesofasia.com/html/pakistan/images/large/attock-fort.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d3nNEc5yEBs/RhVfMzW_EAI/AAAAAAAAABs/LtUJT7PcbDc/s400/attockfort.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1326/1231282136_d247da7009.jpg?v=1208591597

http://www.pakistanpaedia.com/oth/chitral/pic_chitral-fort.jpg

Being a patriotic ^%$#@!, I will post some castles which are located in the Netherlands.
However, I saw some nice examples of castles in this thread! Reminds me I have to go to Romania some time, because Peles (the only palace I knew there) doesn't seem
to be the only interesting castle there.


Muiderslot, Muiden (10-15 km. east of Amsterdam)
This castle is famous in the Netherlands because of the "Muiderkring", which was active in the 17th centrury. It was a group of writers, who came together in the castle
to discuss their plays, novels and poems, and who shared the same interests. Famous "Muiderkring"writers were: P.C. Hooft, Bredero, Joost van den Vondel,
Schweelinck (music composer), Constantijn Huygens and others.
http://www.basenmandy.nl/images/2007-Waterliniepad/Waterliniepad-006.jpg
http://www.muiderslot.nl/media/downloads/Muiderslot004.JPG


Huis Bergh, 's Heerenberg (east of Arnhem, near the German border)
You can actually see an original panel of the Maestà by Duccio here!
http://image06.webshots.com/6/4/50/36/81045036UkvjMt_fs.jpg
http://quiltfotos.web-log.nl/photos/uncategorized/dscf0297.jpg
http://www.plaats.nl/var/25/full/25705.jpg


Slot Loevestein, Poederoijen (south of Utrecht)
From this castle, Hugo de Groot escaped in a bookcoffin in 1621.
http://image05.webshots.com/5/7/87/94/68878794rmcrYd_fs.jpg
http://media.nu.nl/m/m1cz2lpa5854.jpg


De Haar, Haarzuilens
The Dutch Pierrefonds, almost completely rebuild in the 19th century. One of the biggest castles in Holland.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UJcEISmX57g/SHMxZa09m6I/AAAAAAAAFTY/olhqHAcCO9s/1990-04-15-01-haarzuilens-slot-de-haar.jpg
http://www.plaats.nl/var/17/full/17173.jpg
http://www.linkelink.nl/images/Haarzuylen_slot_kasteel.JPG

Kasteel Hoensbroek, Hoensbroek (Limburg)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Schloss_Hoensbroek_in_Heerlen.jpg

Kasteel Doornenburg, Doornenburg (Arnhem/Nijmegen)
http://www.kasteleninnederland.nl/images/gld_doornenburg_20060414_jwe_043.jpg
http://image04.webshots.com/4/6/62/29/70766229jtAlfw_fs.jpg


Kasteel Doorwerth, Doorwerth (west of Arnhem)
http://www.charlesmallo.nl/Doorwerth45.jpg

Kasteel Duivenvoorde, Voorschoten, The Hague
http://www.voorschoten.nl/md/56/Duivenvoorde%20kasteel%202.jpg

Kasteel Brederode, Santpoort
Once a mighty castle, now an impressive ruin.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2297/1578676253_cf6b7fb337_o.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BeAkoDdzTI4/R1GqgD5LDSI/AAAAAAAAA1U/n7ORZwrDSJw/Wint-Brdro-007.jpg

And an impressive castle in the Czech Republic. When you are in Prague, you should go and visit!
Karlstejn
http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/Travel/Europe/KarlstejnCastle.jpg

Great thread.

But... This page is overload with photos.

Anyway. Here we go:


Schwerin castle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwerin_Castle), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Germany)

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5627/11731820.jpg
***************** (http://www.*****************/search?q=Schwerin+Schloss&index=fotos&options=YToxOntzOjU6InN0YXJ0IjtzOjE6IjgiO30&pos=9&display=11731820)



It's standing on an island right in the Schwerin lake (Schweriner See).
It's used as the parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern now.

Schwerin castle again - as seen from the garden hill

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5378/16792312.jpg
fotocommunity (http://www.*****************/search?q=Schwerin+Schloss&index=fotos&options=YToxOntzOjU6InN0YXJ0IjtzOjM6IjEwNCI7fQ&pos=111&display=16792312)



The gardens are prepared for the BUGA 2009 (http://www.buga-2009.de/en/) (German Federal Horticultural Show), a huge garden event that is held every 2 years somewhere in Germany :) The Schwerin Castle just finished its exterior renovation works for that event.

Seen from Schwerin Lake

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6186/15243504.jpg
fotocommunity (http://www.*****************/search?q=Schwerin+Schloss&index=fotos&options=YToxOntzOjU6InN0YXJ0IjtzOjI6IjE2Ijt9&pos=20&display=15243504)

And the last one - Beautiful Schwerin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwerin) and its castle on the Lake Island seen from a balloon :)

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1644/4751191.jpg
fotocommunity (http://www.*****************/pc/pc/display/4751191)

^^ Wonderful Architechture! Probably on of the best castles ive ever seen!

Very nice thread enjoyed every minute.:)

Such beautiful castles I have not seen. It would like to visit Malbork Marienburg:banana:

Durres Villa, Albania
The former summer palace of the king of Albania is undergoing a redevelopment to become Albania's first luxury resort.

see the video of what it looks like now/will look like once completed:
http://www.gleeds.tv/index.cfm?video=220

Where's the King now ?^^

http://ismailimail.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/baltit-fort-at-night1.png?w=300&h=263

http://images.travelpod.com/users/marjorieandpaul/asia.1161454140.13__baltit_fort_above_karimabad.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Baltit_fort.jpg/250px-Baltit_fort.jpg

http://www.jennifertours.com/images/page_images/sonar-fort.jpg

Anyway. Here we go:


Schwerin castle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwerin_Castle), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Germany)

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5627/11731820.jpg
***************** (http://www.*****************/search?q=Schwerin+Schloss&index=fotos&options=YToxOntzOjU6InN0YXJ0IjtzOjE6IjgiO30&pos=9&display=11731820)







Wow, splendid image.

Dedinje castle complex
Luxury in the neo-byzantine style

http://i29.tinypic.com/11ujosk.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0002.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0030.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0032.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0039.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0047.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0006.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0005.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0017.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0024.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0031.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0036.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0049.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0062.jpg

http://www.royalfamily.org/palaces/photo/slides/p_0065.jpg

marvelous pictures! just shows how great european architecture is!

^^ Well, I'd say it's style is more arabic and asian, than european...

In Viña del Mar (Chile).

(Images from Google).

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/linkelring/598132.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/linkelring/251036772_8bedb29168_b.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/linkelring/976230281_4f4c223ef7.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/linkelring/PalBrunet03.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/linkelring/mar018.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/linkelring/Quinta-Vergara-Vina-del-mar.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/linkelring/palaciorioja.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/linkelring/palacioariztia.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/linkelring/Chili20-20Vina20del20Mar.jpg

Some images are from SSC, but captured in Google.

Two I like in Belgium: (I prefer medieval creepy castles to those lush baroque over-the-top castles)


Bouillon, once the greatest fort in Europe, now one of the most impressive ruins. This is the place where the duke of Bouillon embarked on his gruesome crusades to Jerusalem...

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s80/taboe/Bouillon-kasteel.jpg

Beersel, a mighty water fortress, now slowly decaying...

http://www.belgiancastles.be/beersel/01.beersel.jpg

iberian castles are great :drool:



here i am, but hohenzollern is much better, imo :D

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Burg_Hohenzollern_ak.jpg/800px-Burg_Hohenzollern_ak.jpg


^^
This is just AMAZING, the typical icon of a movie's castle :drool:

^^ Well, I'd say it's style is more arabic and asian, than european...

wrong, it's neobyzantine, a style that was copied by Ottomans and Arabs.
And Constatinople is as European as Rome.

^^
This is just AMAZING, the typical icon of a movie's castle :drool:

^^ If you ask me, it looks like hogwards from harry potter!

This is not a real castle, but it resembles one.

http://www.ipa.org.nz/images/content/larnach.jpg

Rayen Castle, Kerman, Iran

Rayen Castle (Persian: arg -e- rāyen) is an adobe castle in Kerman province, Iran. The medieval mudbrick city of Rayen is similar to the Arg-é Bam city which was destroyed in an earthquake in December 2003. Rayen displays all the architectural elements of a deserted citadel. It appears extremely well preserved, considering the numerous natural disasters that have been destroying similar structures nearby, and it is one of the most interesting sites in Iran.

Arg-e-Rayen was inhabited until 150 years ago and, although believed to be at least 1,000 years old, may in fact have foundations from the pre-Islamic Sassanid era.

The Sassanid (also Sassanian) dynasty was the name given to the kings of Persia, which includes much of present-day Iran. During the era of the second Persian Empire, from 224 until 651, the last Sassanid king, Yazdegerd III, lost a 14-year struggle to drive out the Umayyad Caliphate, the first of the Islamic empires. By the Sassanids, their Empire was called Iran or Eranshahr. The Sassanid era is considered to be one of the most important historical periods in Iran.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3808261913_d1b1c8b4f5_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/berogene/3808261913/sizes/l/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/3808260417_0e8d9e20b8_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/berogene/3808260417/sizes/l/

Rudkhan Castle, Fouman, Gilan, Iran

Rud-khan castle (also Rood-khan castle), is a brick and stone medieval castle in Iran.

Located 25 km southwest of Foman city north of Iran in Gilan province, it is a military complex which had been constructed during the Seljuk Dynasty by the followers of Ismā'īlī sect. The Castle is built on two tips of a mount, with an area of 50,000 square metres. Its architects have benefited from natural mountainous features in the construction of the fort.

A river known as `Rudkhan Castle River' also exists near the castle, which originates from the surrounding heights and flows from south to north. After crossing a mountainous winding route with dense forests, the first thing that one notices about the castle is its large entrance gate.

Rudkhan Castle sits at the two peaks of a mountain at elevations of 715 and 670 meters and contains strong fortifications and battlements at a length of 1,550 meters. The castle's 42 towers still stand intact.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3464639413_9f0f9a2d85_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11099968@N05/3464639413/sizes/l/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2955376104_c38738a2b5_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shabnamclickaway/2955376104/sizes/l/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/3250572110_3a7c830a7d_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30601283@N02/3250572110/sizes/l/in/set-72157613307502036/

Great forts, more pictures please.:cheers:

its too bad they don't make these anymore

all these are Portuguese castles or there is some one who were built bay moorish?


Many of the castles in Portugal were built by the arabs. And than rebuilt when they were conquered.

Only the castles built after XII don't have moorish influences

I've seen some incredible architecture in this thread. Simply amazing builds...


But i must say that many of the buildings here aren't exactly castles. I mean, it's too hard to define what is exactly a castle, but many of the buildings we see in this thread seem more like romantic palaces, and countryside houses...

But like i said, it's hard to know what is exactly a castle. And they have diferent styles in diferent regions...

Well, enough of words, let me put some pictures :lol:

Some more portuguese castles. I don't think this ones were showed before.

Guimaraes Castle. The most important of them all, because our first kind was born where (Dom Afonso Henriques)
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/2395620.jpg

Paço dos Duques in Guimares. Like i said in the previous text, i consider this more of a palace than a castle
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/13335282.jpg

Silves Castle
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/2203504.jpg

Porto de Môs Castle
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/12689425.jpg

Almourol Castle
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/10945619.jpg

Nice thread.

http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/almeria238g.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0168.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0171.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0176.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0177.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0178.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0187.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0188.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0194.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0196.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0201.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0202.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0211.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0212.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0213.jpg
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/senen23fotos/CIMG0214.jpg

Thankiossk Cool!

Lovely thread. There sure are some amazing castles posted here even though some of them more are like ruins but all very cool. Different arcitecture depending on country aswell. Sweden have many castle but they are a bit smaller than the castles more south in europe. But they have the age and many of them are quite nice. Some of the palaces did I post in the palace thread insted. :)

Here are some swedish castles

Gripsholms castle

http://www.flightseeingsweden.se/gripsholm.gif


Kalmar castle

http://www.sabosch.se/images/foton/Kalmar%20slott_jpg.jpg


Skokloster castle (this one is perhaps more a palace?)

http://images.marinas.com/med_res_id/104892


Trolleholm castle

http://www.karpaterna.se/skane/soderasen_mix/Trolleholm2.jpg


Stora sundby castle

http://www.svenskadagsresor.se/files//IMG_0508%5B2%5D_resa_487x307.JPG


Läckö castle

http://gardener.blogg.se/images/2008/2008_0813rebrostadspark000_15026251.jpg


Borgholm castle ruin

http://content.foto.mail.ru/mail/for_many/20/i-23.jpg


Kungälvs fort ruin

http://files.reseguiden.se/files/72/rg_739772_m600.jpg


This magnificent castle was located in central stockholm but burnt down 1697. It was repleaced with the "new" royal palace.

http://www.conspict.se/1Stadsbilder/S1024LW.jpg


Teleborg castle

http://www.hotellvarend.se/photo/original_20090731072842.png

Castillo de Almansa (España)

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4930/50183.th.jpg (http://img80.imageshack.us/i/50183.jpg/)

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6515/imagen002g.th.jpg (http://img340.imageshack.us/i/imagen002g.jpg/)

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/944/castillo2l.th.jpg (http://img525.imageshack.us/i/castillo2l.jpg/)

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4176/castilloarriba.th.jpg (http://img80.imageshack.us/i/castilloarriba.jpg/)

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5383/2942589720c43fa77761b.th.jpg (http://img340.imageshack.us/i/2942589720c43fa77761b.jpg/)

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/740/museohistoriarepublicanxo3.jpg

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/2016/678703261b7c1299c0dbxa8.jpg

http://www.travel-images.com/honduras55.jpg

Amazing thread! I love castles! :)
Here is one from my country:

Khotyn Fortress, Ukraine

The Khotyn Fortress (Ukrainian: Хотинська фортеця) is a fortification complex located on the shores of the Dniester River in Khotyn, Chernivtsi Oblast (province) of western Ukraine. Construction on the current fortress was started in 1325, while major improvements were made in the 1380s and in the 1460s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khotyn_Fortress

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/1090719.jpg

http://club.foto.ua/uploads/photos/129/129377_2.jpeg

http://i.i.ua/photo/images/pic/2/6/1691162_daa5630c.jpg

http://i.i.ua/photo/images/pic/7/7/2680177_4d01b884.jpg

http://i.i.ua/photo/images/pic/3/1/2820713_a72d5c56.jpg

http://www.kraina-ua.com/user_files/hotyn1.jpg

http://pics.livejournal.com/submarina28/pic/0002q13g

http://pics.livejournal.com/submarina28/pic/0002t3fz

http://pics.livejournal.com/submarina28/pic/0002wsfs

http://submarina28.livejournal.com/1485.html

http://img.mandria.ua/image/cb/22/516.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss51/Mandrivnyk/Khotyn/hotyn_10_podv-1.jpg

http://www.pryroda.gov.ua/ua/uploads/posts/2008-03/1206094022_xotyn2.jpg

http://www.franko.lviv.ua/faculty/geology/phis_geo/Intersting%20about%201-practice/About%20practices/Practics_ua/7_miracles_Ukraine/Podillja-klymenko/IMG_0915_small.jpg

http://www.pryroda.gov.ua/ua/uploads/posts/2008-03/1206093735_xotyn_cxema1.jpg

http://www.pryroda.gov.ua/ua/uploads/posts/2008-03/1206093677_xotyn_cxema.jpg

http://www.pryroda.gov.ua/ua/index.php?newsid=1090

Arundel Castle, West Sussex

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm263/tim1547/P1000801.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm263/tim1547/P1000782.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm263/tim1547/P1000900.jpg

Here's a funny one: Almere Castle (Netherlands).

Almere is a new town, serving as a suburb of Amsterdam located on artificial land east of Amsterdam. It's an ambitious town, it has grown from 0 to 200.000 inhabitants in 30 years. With this amition also comes a desire to create an identity and even a history. Many people get married in Almere, but there is not really a scenic place to do so. Also there is apparently room for a good hotel and conference facilities.

So some developer decided it was a good idea to build a castle in this new town. Unfortunately halfway through the construction of this castle, the developer ran out of money. The required zoning changes, which would have given room to additional housing development around the castle, were rejected by the city council. So Almere got more history than they bargained for: Instead of a castle, they got a ruin.

Some pics:

The plan:
http://www.classic.archined.nl/news/0111/almere-kasteel.jpg

A model:
http://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/multimedia/dynamic/00420/kasteel_420784h.jpg

The 'castle':
http://www.lincious.nl/2006verslag02_15.jpg

http://catthysplace.web-log.nl/mijn_weblog/images/2008/11/10/pict2849.jpg

http://img2.pict.com/d3/c4/e0/1718982/0/800/afbeelding29.png

We don't have much in the way of castles here, as the natives didn't build them. There is The Paine, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It now serves as the city's art museum.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e71/kingriffleteh1st/2DSCF1411.jpg

See my sig.


Lots of neat castles in this thread.

It is unclear exactly when Kamyanets-Podilsky Castle was built but some historians believe it was 11-12th century, some believe it was 13-14th century.

http://photographers.com.ua/images/pictures/1107/kamenets3-1200.jpg
http://photographers.com.ua/profile/oleg_zharij/

http://photographers.com.ua/images/pictures/181/tower_5000_204.jpg

http://photographers.com.ua/images/pictures/4468/bf_250_fs.jpg

http://info.kp.km.ua/index.php?option=com_datsogallery&Itemid=111&func=wmark&oid=861

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/UKR_Kamianets-Podilskyi_map.svg/300px-UKR_Kamianets-Podilskyi_map.svg.png

For obvious reasons we have no real castles in North America, only fake ones built by fabulously rich robber barons of the early 20th century! :D Here is our local one in Toronto, romantically called Casa Loma:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/IMGP3303i-1.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/IMGP7153i.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/IMGP7126i.jpg

QUOTE, Taller Better.... (For obvious reasons we have no real castles in North America, only fake ones built by fabulously rich robber barons of the early 20th century!)





Here are some examples of Castles in North american built many years before the dawn of the XX century.



Chapultepec Castle

This castle,an icon on Mexico's history. It's history dates back to the 14th Century Perched on top of Chapultepec Hill in Mexico City’s Chapultepec district, the castle, once the home of the Spanish Viceroys, is now a museum. Located right in the middle of Chapultepec Park, it’s the only castle in North America that has been used as residence by a ruling European sovereign.


http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/4483/castillocloseup.th.jpg (http://img390.imageshack.us/i/castillocloseup.jpg/)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/1976/chapultepec.th.jpg (http://img129.imageshack.us/i/chapultepec.jpg/)


http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1806/alcazarchapultepec.th.jpg (http://img205.imageshack.us/i/alcazarchapultepec.jpg/)

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/8834/imagen184xi1.th.jpg (http://img399.imageshack.us/i/imagen184xi1.jpg/)

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/3151/imagen209gm9.th.jpg (http://img118.imageshack.us/i/imagen209gm9.jpg/)








Santa Cecilia Castle was constructed in the XVII century.
surrounded by the great colonial and cultural setting of Guanajuato,Mexico.

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/8346/img04464pa.th.jpg (http://img224.imageshack.us/i/img04464pa.jpg/)

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/5708/4001233679168castillode.th.jpg (http://img185.imageshack.us/i/4001233679168castillode.jpg/)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/9025/3370504746bc9b56feb.th.jpg (http://img129.imageshack.us/i/3370504746bc9b56feb.jpg/)

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/9272/363895759c8ee6539ecb.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/i/363895759c8ee6539ecb.jpg/)http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/363895759c8ee6539ecb.jpg/1/w1024.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img377/363895759c8ee6539ecb.jpg/1/)

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/197/castlem.th.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/i/castlem.jpg/)






Hernan Cortez Castle

When the Spanish arrived, the Tlahuica were fiercely loyal to the Aztec empire, savagely resisting the advance of the conquistadors. In April 1521, they were finally overcome, and Cortes torched the city. Destroying the city pyramid, Cortes used the stones to build a Castle on the pyramid's base.


http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/9392/007cortes.th.jpg (http://img397.imageshack.us/i/007cortes.jpg/)

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2716/palaciocortes.th.jpg (http://img195.imageshack.us/i/palaciocortes.jpg/)

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3300/cuernavaca25.th.jpg (http://img195.imageshack.us/i/cuernavaca25.jpg/)

Lovely pictures! Absolutely beautiful. When I composed my first entry I should have followed my
first instinct of saying "The USA and Canada". However, regarding this statement:

"It's history dates back to the 14th Century when an Aztec King started to built it."

The buildings shown are of European influenced design, so I think it can be safely pointed out that the original design as envisioned by the Aztec King would have looked nothing like the existing colonial architecture. As we know, Columbus sailed the ocean at the end of the 15th century (1492, to be exact), and
European settlers really began no form of architecture till the 16th Century.

The lovely buildings you show are indeed older than Casa Loma, but are still copies of European styles popular back in the Mother Country at the time.

Lovely pictures! Absolutely beautiful. When I composed my first entry I should have followed my
first instinct of saying "The USA and Canada". However, regarding this statement:

"It's history dates back to the 14th Century when an Aztec King started to built it."

The buildings shown are of European influenced design, so I think it can be safely pointed out that the original design as envisioned by the Aztec King would have looked nothing like the existing colonial architecture. As we know, Columbus sailed the ocean at the end of the 15th century (1492, to be exact), and
European settlers really began no form of architecture till the 16th Century.

The lovely buildings you show are indeed older than Casa Loma, but are still copies of European styles popular back in the Mother Country at the time.

Yes yout right! i was still editing the reply but you bet me to it...lol Greetings from Mexico!

I wish I were in sunny Mexico just now! However, I am doing my best to plan a winter holiday in my beloved Puerto Vallarta! In the meantime I have to make do with going to Mexican restaurants, eating and drinking your food and beer, and pretending that I am there! :D

For obvious reasons we have no real castles in North America, only fake ones built by fabulously rich robber barons of the early 20th century! :D Here is our local one in Toronto, romantically called Casa Loma:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/IMGP3303i-1.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/IMGP7153i.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/IMGP7126i.jpg

I came here once. its amazing from the inside! I think this should be North america's top castles!

It is also connected via underground tunnel to the rather fantastical horse stables. One half expects to see a drawbridge and moat! :lol::

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/IMGP7194i.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/IMGP7196i.jpg

Msaylha Castle, Lebanon
http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/3179207906_c860859408.jpg

Saint Gilles
Tripoli, Lebanon
http://www.lebanonpostcard.com/images/postcardsky/postsky03.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2628/3725255330_c01cf3071d.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/66782685_2b0c72e14a.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/69/163358619_fd10617e5f.jpg
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/5073/t3hr2.jpg

Byblos castle, Lebanon
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/2377148778_88bac21299_o.jpg

Sea Castle
Sidon, Lebanon
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/526/saidacastleaq4.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3724962525_03731c5ab9.jpg
http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif

Pythian Castle - Springfield, MO

Built in 1913...It's pretty small, but hey...

http://www.pythiancastle.com/PythianHome1920s.png

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/303562230_5ec8124bbb.jpg?v=0

A lot of you guys are not even posting castles (in the traditional sense). They are palaces aka châteaux.

"A lot of you guys are not even posting castles (in the traditional sense)"

yes, we are aware that they are not true ancient castles.

Some Italian castles:

TOBLINO
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2670386027_98b2a0c85f_o.jpg

ISCHIA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3468014437_00eb4b3c54_o.jpg

CASTEL DEL MONTE
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/3019236182_be57af8548_b.jpg

VENARIA

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3343870219_bd35a008e2_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3333569850_39d875ed3c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3804066591_32bfd49557_b.jpg

MANTOVA

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/3015494457_5bf56deb16_b.jpg

MILANO

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/560363876_c7cdf11c95_o.jpg

LE CASTELLA

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/2316826450_59e5d29db6_o.jpg

TORINO

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/3237285176_dc8bc47600_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/3986014105_e8ab0d707d_b.jpg

Beautiful! Absolutely stunning....

Saw some pics of this castle (Bodiam) on an earlier post in this thread so thought I'd drive down there last weekend and check it out :)

Pics

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm263/tim1547/P1000967.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm263/tim1547/P1000962.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm263/tim1547/P1000998.jpg

Some other italian castle:

VERONA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2882932153_c41cb79438_b.jpg

MONTERIGGIONI
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3327377879_aae3e277d1_b.jpg

MONTAGNA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/3090569394_75d04c5f93_b.jpg

PERGINE
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/3831529164_2f3832b3ea_o.jpg

ALTO ADIGE - TROSTBURG
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/3928785215_099bac44c8_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3440707567_a96a08559a_b.jpg

MAROSTICA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/3206927783_c28c1bfd13_o.jpg

Solovki

http://www.skypalace.org/images/europe/slavic/east_slavic/russia/kremlins/solovetsky/002_002.jpg

More Russian Castles (http://www.skypalace.org/europe/slavic/east_slavic/russia/kremlins.shtml).

hrad Karlštejn
http://data.czechtourism.com/fotografie/2009-07/foto/2009-07-09-090657-pamatky-karlstejn.jpg

hrad Okoř
http://www.adam.cz/img/200701101536_Okor_6_1_2006_P1110820.jpg

hrad Kost
http://nd01.blog.cz/700/031/e89defb9e2_30685328_o2.jpg

hrad Bouzov
http://www.nasemorava.cz/upload/Hrad%20Bouzov_0.jpg

hrad Pernštejn
http://www.kudyznudy.cz/miranda2/export/sites/www.kudyznudy.cz/cs/regiony/jizni-morava/foto/10-Hrad-Pernstejn.jpg

hrad Helfštýn
http://www.fotozletadla.cz/files/album/AAMAPA/Helfstyn/Helfstyn_4.jpg

hrad Loket
http://www.cbox.cz/davidbraunstein/voda/tekouci/fotky/2003_0917_133006_KH_Ohre_hrad_Loket_i.jpg

Trosky
http://www.hotellazenskyvrch.cz/hrady/trosky.jpg

hrad Rábí
http://www.zssudice.cz/VLAST-ZEMPL/www.czechtourism.cz++111/R%C3%A1b%C3%AD%20-%20hrad.jpg

hrad Zvíkov
http://www.akpm.cz/phprs/storage/200801232016_hrad%20zvikov.jpg

hrad Křivoklát
http://www.skyservice.cz/UserFiles/File/trasy/N3-2-krivoklat.jpg

hrad Bezděz
http://www.hradbezdez.cz/hrad_bezdez_rocni_obdobi/hrad_bezdez_rocni_obdobi_014.jpg

hrad Český Krumlov
http://img.ihned.cz/attachment.php/610/18684610/C6JmH8aSKVbOpBn1RzvPL2wslD5A7iFf/Cesky_Krumlov.jpg

Castles of Belgium
There are approximately 3000 castles, farm-castles, citadels, manors or palaces in Belgium. Belgium has one of the highest density of castles per square km in the world, if not simply the highest. Some regions (eg. the Condroz, Hesbaye, Brabant...) have an average two castles per village. Belgium has over 400 castles that are open to the public, either for sightseeing, receptions, seminars, events or as hotels, restaurants or holiday centres.

full list of all castle's in belgium! Enjoy

http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lijst_van_kastelen_in_Belgi%C3%AB

Sozopol, Bulgaria

http://4coolpics.com/pics/0326/007510326222.jpg
:lol:

Quite a difference with the netherlands, afaik we only have a few. edit: wiki list of .nl suggests we have a few as well :P

Switzerland
Oberhofen am Thunersee
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/auckland16/castle1.jpg
Tarasp Castle
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/auckland16/taraspcastl.jpg
Schloss Schadau
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/auckland16/schlon.jpg

Trosky
http://www.hotellazenskyvrch.cz/hrady/trosky.jpg

Sweet!

Some Italian castles:



CASTEL DEL MONTE
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/3019236182_be57af8548_b.jpg


thats fucking awasome!!!:banana::cheers:

Greek architecture was based chiefly on the post-and-beam system, with columns carrying the load. Timber construction was superseded by construction in marble and stone. The column, a unit human in scale, was used as a module for all of a temple's proportions. The Doric order, probably the earliest, remained the favorite of the Greek mainland and western colonies. The Ionic order developed in eastern Greece; on the mainland, it was used chiefly for smaller temples and interiors. The greatest Greek architectural achievement was the Athens acropolis.