The most beautiful castles in the world by Lúcia Santos

Lúcia Santos Castle in Porto de Mós, Leiria, Portugal.

lucfatsantos — 2017-11-15 20:59:13 UTC

The castle of Porto de Mós is one of a kind and entirely unique in Portugal. It was damaged badly during the 1755 earthquake that also destroyed a large part of medieval Lisbon.

The castle has been partly recovered and is much noticeable by its slated emerald green towers.

Bragança Castle

maparibel — 2017-11-17 18:28:04 UTC

Bragança Castle is located in the historical center of the city. It is one of the best preserved castles in my country. From the top of the walls we can see Serra Sanabria, the Rebordões mountain range and the Serra of Nogueira.

Castelo de Santa Maria da Feira

valdemar_sever — 2017-11-23 23:20:16 UTC

Feira Castle, also referred to as Santa Maria da Feira Castle and Santa Maria Castle, is located in the parish and city of Feira Santa Maria da Feira county, Aveiro district, Portugal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9PzZtoiCbU

Rocca - castello di Vignola (MO) Italy

annacarotenuto78 — 2017-11-24 14:21:35 UTC

The Rocca di Vignola is perhaps for all Vignolesi the most important and beloved symbol of geographical and cultural identity. In Vignola, and also in the broader area of the whole area, it is also a sign of a cultural uniqueness which, while nourishing Emilia's humus, has seen different contributions, a potion of Italian and European influences, of which the many variations stylistics are testimony.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPrG6XMCHBo

Trakošćan

pepy5 — 2017-11-27 22:25:46 UTC

Trakošćan Castle is a castle located in northern Croatia, that dates back to the 13th century. According to a legend, Trakošćan was named after another fortification (arx Thacorum) that was alleged to have stood in the same spot back in antiquity. Another source claims that it was named after the knights of Drachenstein who were in control of the region in early Middle Ages. King Maximilian gave the estate to Juraj Drašković (1525–1587) for services rendered, first personally, and then as family heritage. This was how, in 1584, the Drašković family finally came into possession of Trakošćan.

In the second half of the 18th century, when the building of manors was flourishing in Hrvatsko Zagorje, Trakošćan was abandoned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uILOwKkijmc

Castle of Popes Rocca dei Papi

paola_romoli — 2017-12-01 13:19:21 UTC

The Castle of Popes is situated on the top of the hill of Montefiascone, is in a privileged zone because of its strategic position. For this reason, it represents an area persistently populated since the origin of human activities, as is attested in the archeological discoveries. Its history begins around the XII century, when Pope Innocenzo III restored it, transforming it into a real fortress. During the period of the Avignon captivity, the Rocca of Montefiascone becomes the capital of Patrimonio of S. Peter, in fact the Pope, refugee in France, nominates the "rector" who is to stay in Montefiascone to take care of the government of the new-born Pontifical State. From time to time, the Pope also sends his delegates to control the rector's work and to legislate and convocate parliaments. Among the more illustrious rectors and delegates, there was also the legendary "condottiere" Egidio Albornoz, who, from the Rocca, led the reconquest of Patrimonio of S. Peter, and Bertrando Deux, famous for his disputes with Cola di Rienzo. The walls of the Rocca gave hospitality to many Popes for short or long periods. Often, these Popes would be accompanied by famous artists or writers who, through their works, gave fame to the Rocca of Montefiascone. For instance, the architect Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio and the famous artist Michelangelo. lts decline began in the VI century, when there was no longer need for such a fortified residence and its destruction was completed by Cardinal Barbarigo, who used its mighty walls as a quarry for the construction of the diocesan Seminary.

Malbork Castle, Poland

fuchur666 — 2017-12-01 16:27:38 UTC

The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork (Polish: zamek w Malborku; German: Ordensburg Marienburg), located in the Polish town of Malbork, is the largest castle in the world measured by land area.

It was originally built by the Teutonic Knights, a German Roman Catholic religious order of crusaders, in a form of an Ordensburg fortress. The Order named it Marienburg (Mary's Castle). The town which grew around it was also named Marienburg. In 1466, both castle and town became part of Royal Prussia, a province of Poland. It served as one of the several Polish royal residences, interrupted by several years of Swedish occupation, and fulfilling this function until Prussia claimed the castle as a result of the First Partition of Poland in 1772. Heavily damaged after World War II, the castle was renovated under the auspices of modern-day Poland in the second half of the 20th century and most recently in 2016. Nowadays, the castle hosts exhibitions and serves as a museum.

The castle is a classic example of a medieval fortress and, on its completion in 1406, was the world's largest brick castle.UNESCO designated the "Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork" and the Malbork Castle Museum a World Heritage Site in December 1997.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoJYg_ScOR4