13 Unbelievably Regal Castles In Europe (PHOTOS)

Castles, whether big or small, are some of the most awe-inspiring creations in the world. Europe, being the home of kings and queens and dynasties, is flush with them.

Here, we put together 13 unbelievably beautiful and historical castles.

Have you visited any of them or did we miss one of your favorites? Send us your photos!

 

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Windsor Castle, England

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Windsor Castle is The Queen's official residence, making it the largest working castle in the world. It has been the royal home for over 900 years.

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Windsor Castle is The Queen's official residence, making it the largest working castle in the world. It has been the royal home for over 900 years.

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Castle

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Just OK. Royal!

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Comments

[HisPetGoat]

02:02 AM on 10/09/2010

OT: I think from time-to-time of constructing a rustic, rural manor house of half timber construction using only ancient techniques and native materials.

Is that wacky?

[Clara Calloway]

07:10 PM on 10/08/2010

The correct spelling is Neuschwanstein, not Newshwaunstein.

[maslin]

02:48 AM on 10/09/2010

And it seems to be where Ludwig the Mad inspired Disney.

[deluk]

08:56 AM on 10/08/2010

Kolossi castle is hardly "regal" while lovely and evocative, basically it's just a little box, you walk to the top and walk down again, and have your picture taken in one of the picturesque window bays...because there's not much else to do really..

[Pierogi kid]

08:29 AM on 10/08/2010

well its not necessarily regal like a palace but check out Oravsky Zamok it is where they filmed Nosfertau back in 1922 very stoic and downright right creepy

[rayinprague]

05:56 PM on 10/08/2010

Another nice castle in Slovakia is Spišský hrad.

[Pierogi kid]

08:07 AM on 10/11/2010

right, that one is huge

[MolliBlum]

08:19 AM on 10/08/2010

I can't believe they missed out Italy's Castel del Monte -- surely one of the most imposing edifices in the whole of Europe.

[Leviathan21]

08:14 AM on 10/08/2010

Technically, Versailles is not a "castle". I guess what you meant is "prettiest royal residences in Europe".

[MolliBlum]

08:20 AM on 10/08/2010

Yes, the selection does seem to be more about tourist favourites than anything else. I mean -- Eilean Donan is beautiful and picturesque. But regal? Not so much.

[wilray]

02:20 PM on 10/08/2010

I mention this before I guess we should explain the difference to people who may be confused. As you say palace is a pretty royal residence. It could be thought of as a super McMansion. A castle differs from a palace in that. It actually has a more military significance. A castle is fortified. It has battlements. It is like a fort that is meant to keep the enemy out. In the feudal system that existed in medieval Europe, when an attack was eminent, the serfs were to come within the walls of the castle for protection, and the castle had to be stocked and supplied for the siege. Also, Castles tended to be in an elevated position to the rest of the countryside because that was a more strategic position for withstanding a siege.

A palace does not have the requirements for a castle. It is meant to display opulence, that's why the term is "pleasure palace." As much as the palace itself, Versailles is known for it's magnificent gardens. The gardens of Versailles is just not the sort of thing that you would expect at a castle.

[Brooklynindy]

07:35 AM on 10/08/2010

1) Neuschwanstein is mis-spelled above;

2) What about the Alcázar in Segovia, Spain?

[deluk]

07:48 AM on 10/08/2010

Neuschwanstein is as much a "castle" as that thing at Disneyland.

[Elkanah]

11:50 AM on 10/08/2010

Look again Brooklynindy. I submitted the Alcazar in Segovia. I took the slide over 41 years ago.

[comment from grandpa]

06:37 AM on 10/08/2010

Given the rise of the moneyed elite,can we expect more of this here?

[local21]

07:05 AM on 10/08/2010

Bunratty Castle would be a starter castle.

[Fi]

06:33 AM on 10/08/2010

What you don't see on the Bamburgh Castle photo, is that is right on a beach, and the whole scene is just stunningly beautiful.

[SPQR1052]

06:30 AM on 10/08/2010

Palace of Fontainebleau (My personal FAV)

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

[SPQR1052]

06:20 AM on 10/08/2010

Château de Chambord

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

[Ramkshrestha]

06:12 AM on 10/08/2010

Good stuff!

[RubalKhali]

06:09 AM on 10/08/2010

Forgot the Alhambra.

[RubalKhali]

06:05 AM on 10/08/2010

Carcasonne didn't make the list, but then it's a fortified city not just a castle, although a castle is part of the fortifications. Many of these are palaces not castles.

[Hajnal]

05:49 AM on 10/08/2010

One word: Chambord!

[RubalKhali]

06:07 AM on 10/08/2010

I'll take Chenonceau over Chambord, but only just.Carcasonne gets my vote.

[Hajnal]

06:34 AM on 10/08/2010

I love Chenonceau! Beautiful, albeit a tad sinister when you know how the windows overlooking the river were used...

[MolliBlum]

08:22 AM on 10/08/2010

I'll go for the Castel del Monte in Apulia