Secrets of the world’s most incredible castles
If walls could talk

Predjama Castle, Slovenia

Dramatic Predjama Castle is tucked within the mouth of a cave in Slovenia, and it's almost difficult to see where the rock ends and the weather-worn fortress begins. This dramatic 13th-century structure, jutting out from a 404-foot-high (123m) cliff, is rumoured to have influenced George R.R. Martin, the author whose novels inspired hit TV series Game of Thrones.
Predjama Castle, Slovenia

Alcázar of Toledo, Spain

Alcázar of Toledo, Spain

Château De Chambord, France

Château De Chambord, France

Hearst Castle, California, USA

Hearst Castle, California, USA

Hearst was an art lover, too, and paintings and sculptures practically spill from the property: a highlight is Venus Italica, a sculpture of Venus by Italian Antonio Canova. The castle also has a dreamy Italianate terrace and the glittering Roman pool, with its blue and gold tiles and marble statues. Now take a virtual tour of the world's most enchanting stately homes.
Mehrangarh Fort, India

Mehrangarh Fort, India

Tower of London, UK

Tower of London, UK

Himeji Castle, Japan

Himeji Castle, Japan

Prague Castle, Czech Republic

Prague Castle, Czech Republic

Iolani Castle, Hawaii, USA

Iolani Castle, Hawaii, USA

Malbork Castle, Poland

Malbork Castle, Poland

Saladin Citadel, Egypt

Saladin Citadel, Egypt

Bran Castle, Romania

As castles go, Bran is probably one of the spookiest. The medieval fortress in Transylvania became known as "Dracula’s castle", despite Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, never having visited Romania. Today the castle, with its eerie turrets and stunning hilltop location, remains synonymous with the legendary vampire.
Bran Castle, Romania

Amer Fort, near Jaipur, India

Amer Fort, near Jaipur, India

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, UK

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, UK

Castello Di Amorosa, California, USA

Castello Di Amorosa, California, USA

To make his dream a reality, Sattui teamed up with builder and medieval-architecture aficionado Fritz Gruber. They employed historic building techniques and even used antique bricks from former Habsburg palaces. The castle was finished by 2007, complete with watchtowers, ramparts, a chapel, a Great Hall and even a torture chamber (just for show, of course). Discover more castles in America that you didn't know existed.
The Alhambra, Granada, Spain

The Alhambra of Granada, Spain

The Alhambra’s buildings are elaborately decorated from floor-to-ceiling, and it’s easy to imagine Moorish monarchs wandering through the airy corridors and stunning grounds. Its beauty has inspired many works of literature and film, too, including Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra.
Castles of Gondar, Ethiopia

Castles of Gondar, Ethiopia

De Haar Castle, the Netherlands

De Haar Castle, the Netherlands

Pena Palace, Portugal

Pena Palace, Portugal

Nizwa Fort, Oman

Nizwa Fort, Oman

Peleș Castle, Romania

Peleș Castle, Romania

Palace of Versailles, France

Palace of Versailles, France

Jaisalmer Fort, India

Jaisalmer Fort, India

The structure is believed to be one of the only "living forts" in the world today, as a large population still resides within its walls. Inside there's the Raj Mahal Palace and several Jain temples, as well as the havelis (townhouses) where the local merchants lived. This picture shows an elaborately decorated havelis with ornate doorways typical of the time they were constructed.
Moszna Castle, Poland

Moszna Castle, Poland

Biltmore Estate, North Carolina, USA

Biltmore Estate, North Carolina, USA

Alcázar of Segovia, Spain

Alcázar of Segovia, Spain

The Citadel of Qaitbay, Egypt

The Citadel of Qaitbay, Egypt

Vianden Castle, Luxembourg

Vianden Castle, Luxembourg

Trakai Castle, Lithuania

Trakai Castle, Lithuania

Happily, the castle was reconstructed after the Second World War and completed in 1961, so it's once again a breathtaking feat of architecture. The inside is as impressive as the outside too: this photo shows the stone walls and artwork of the castle's chapel.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Despite its old-world design, it was extremely modern upon its completion, with central heating and even a telephone line. Nevertheless, its interiors show Ludwig's desire to escape into the medieval world that inspired the operas of German composer Richard Wagner, of whom the King was a devoted fan and patron. Much of the art inside depicts the kings, poets and knights that appear in the composer’s work. Read on as we reveal the incredible stories behind the world's most historic cities.
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