The castle is one of the most iconic features of the World folklore. We imagine princesses, knights, horses, moats, and even the occasional dragon in our fantastical renditions of these places. Yet, few can pinpoint exactly which castles inspired these pervasive tales. Some feel they’re mostly the product of fiction. While there’s no doubt some tales have been embellished, we beg to differ. Here are 10 of the world’s most beautiful medieval.

1. Bojnice Castle, Slovakia

According to written records found at the Zobor Abbey, this Romanesque castle might have first been built as a wooden fort as early as 1113. Stone slowly began to replace the wood, and by the 16th century, the Gothic castle boasted Renaissance elements.

While he might not have been the first owner of the fortress, King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary might have been one of the first to invest in its future. The ruler would often come to the small city to work on his decrees and dictate them under a linden tree on the grounds that now bears his name.

It seems construction never ceased, as owner after owner continued to renovate the exteriors or add rooms until the castle ultimately landed in the hands of Count Ján Pálfi. Taken by the romantic castles of France’s Loire Valley, the aristocrat sought to create his own fairy-tale castle filled with his impeccable collection of antiques, tapestries, and artwork. With its enchanting appearance, Bojnice Castle has become one of the most visited castles in central Europe, with thousands of guests exploring its hallowed halls each year.

3.Peleș Castle in Sinaia, Romania

Taken by the enchanting Bucegi Mountains, King Carol I commissioned the construction of a neo-Renaissance–style castle in the quaint village of Sinaia during the 1860s. The royal summer house contains 160 rooms, all of which have a distinctive theme. For example, the theater on the grounds asserts a storybook feeling with exquisite frescoes by Austrian artists Gustav Klimt and Franz von Matsch climbing the walls and ceiling.

After years of serving as a royal residence, Peleș Castle eventually was abandoned when Romania fell under Communist rule. The castle reopened as a public museum after the revolution in 1989

4. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

When thinking of a beautiful castle, this is probably the first that comes to mind.

Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as the “mad king.” As mad as he may have been, his eccentric lifestyle and imagination certainly gave rise to the archetypal fairytale castle. It’s truly one of a kind, even in Germany, which has so many awe-inspiring, real castles.

The castle of Neuschwanstein sits atop a rugged hill with its blue turrets and white limestone façade. It’s so magnificent that it inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle.

5. Citadel of Aleppo

The Aleppo Citadel is one of the oldest castles in the world. It stands on 50 meter high hill in the center of Aleppo, Syria. Usage of the hill dates back at least to the middle of the 3rd millennium BC. Subsequently occupied by many civilizations including the Greeks, Byzantines, Ayyubids and Mamluks, the majority of the construction as it stands today dates from the 13th centur

6. Alcazar of Segovia

The Alcazar of Segovia is an imposing medieval fortress which embodies much of what one would consider to be the ideal vision of a fairytale castle, complete with picturesque turrets and cliff-top location. Having started life as an Arab fort, in the 13th century, the Alcazar of Segovia made the transition from military stronghold to palatial residence and was slowly renovated in a gothic style.

 

Today, visitors to Alcazar of Segovia can tour this magnificent site and climb into its towers for great views of the town.

7. Gyantse Dzong Castle

Gyantse Dzong or Gyantse Fortress is one of the best preserved dzongs (fortified monasteries) in Tibet, perched high above the town of Gyantse on a huge spur of grey brown rock. Constructed around 1390, the castle we see today guarded the southern approaches to the Tsangpo Valley and Lhasa.

The original fortress, known as Gyel-khar-tse was attributed to Pelkhor-tsen, son of the anti-Buddhist king Langdharma. He probably reigned from 838 to 841 CE. The present walls were supposedly built in 1268.

8. Castel del Monte

Castel del Monte in Italy is a medieval palace originally built as a hunting lodge by the Emperor Frederick II and later used as his seat of power. With its set of perfectly octagonal towers, it was also a great example of symmetry in medieval building. The castle is not only extremely well defended, with thick limestone walls, but it blends the influences of the cultures to which Frederick II had been exposed and had learned about.

Visitors to Castel del Monte can tour its two floors. Much of the original splendour, such as its marble walls, has now disappeared, but traces appear here and there

9. Carcassonne

Carcassonne, known as “La Cite” is a fortified town in southern France whose important strategic position between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic led to it being inhabited since before the Ancient Roman era. Throughout its history, Carcassonne has been considered untouchable. Even before its walls were built it was the subject of two failed sieges in the 13th century and, during the Hundred Years’ War, an attack was never even attempted.

There is much to see at Carcassonne, including its incredible double fortified 3 km walls and 52 towers. There are audio guided tours of the majestic citadel and visitors can explore the cathedral, both built by the then ruling Trencavels

10. Castle of Good Hope

The Castle of Good Hope (Casteel de Goede Hoop) in Cape Town is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa and the current seat of the military in the Cape. It was built by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) between 1666 and 1679 as a maritime replenishment station.

Visitors enter through its large gateway bearing the coat of arms of the United Netherlands, built in 1682 to replace the original sea-facing entrance. Inside, there are a number of exhibitions, including the Castle Military Museum exploring past battles and wars, the William Ferh Collection of period paintings and a replica of the original Castle Forge.