GUIDE
PHOTOSLearn how they look
HISTORYLearn their story
LOCATIONLearn how to visit
T O C A S T L E S I N E U R O P E
T H E R U S S I A N A B R O A D ' S
INTRO-DUCTIONThere are two types of castles in Europe:
those that are ridiculously awesome and
those that are absolutely fantastic. Every
castle has a certain “wow” factor that
makes visiting them an unforgettable
experience. It feels so great to sink into
the atmosphere of medievality, imagine
the life we only know from books now,
touch the old stones, walk the dark
corridors, visit the terrible dungeons, and
enjoy the gorgeous views from atop of the
defensive towers.
If you're holding this ebook in your hands
(or, rather, reading it from your laptop
screens), this means that you're a huge fan
of castles. Luckily, Europe has plenty of
them! That's why I decided to compile this
little book to bring together Europe's most
beautiful, most recognizable, most
memorable castles.
Some castles in this list are medieval.
Some are neo-Gothic. Some are crazy
fairy-tale castles, some are ruins. All of
them, however, are meant to tell a story,
to inspire you, and to share something
special with each and every one of us.
This ebook provides some general info
about the castle, tells you how much it
costs to get in, and how to get to the
location.
So, let's begin the castle journey, shall we?
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CONTENTS
AUSTRIA
A
pg. 4-5
BELGIUMB
pg. 6
DENMARK
D
CZECH REPUBLIC
F
pg. 8-9
pg. 7
C
EESTONIA pg. 10
FINLANDFRANCE
pg. 11-12
pg. 13-14
GGERMANYGREECE
pg. 15-18
pg. 19
HHUNGARY
I
LLATVIALITHUANIA
IRELANDITALY
NNETHERLANDSNORWAY
PPOLANDPORTUGAL
RROMANIA
SSLOVAKIASPAINSWITZERLAND
pg. 29-30
pg. 31-32
pg. 20-21
pg. 22-23
pg. 24
pg. 25
pg. 26
pg. 27
pg. 28
pg. 33-34
pg. 35
pg. 36-38
pg. 39
TTURKEY
UUKRAINEUK
pg. 40
pg. 41
pg. 42-26
BURG MAUTERNDORFHistory Located 1,138 metres above the sea
level, Mautendorf Castle is built on the site of an old
Roman fort that dates to 326 AD. The castle is a
unique gem in the beautiful mountain region of
Salzburg, simply begging you for a visit.
For some time, Mautendorf was a summer residence
of the fancy Salzburg archbishops, and you can still
take an exciting trip back to those times as the visitor
of the castle: there are a museum and an exhibition.
From the 44 metre high fortified tower, there is a
magnificent view of Mauterndorf, the Radstädter
Tauern to the north, the Hohe Tauern to the west and
the Nockberge mountain range to the south.
How to get thereThe castle is found in a small market town
of Mauterndorf (population: less than 2,000
people), which lies at the foot of the
Grosseck-Speiereck. It's a popular skiing
destination, but it can be a tricky one to get
to. Taking a car is the easiest way of
transportation, but alternatively, you can
also take a Postbus bus from the Salzburg
train station.
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Image: pension-mauterndorf.at
Entrance feeAdults € 9,50
Children (6 to 15 y. o.) € 5,50
Reduced € 8,00
Family ticket € 22,50
AUSTRIA [österreich]
HOHENSALZBURGHistory The castle of Hohensalzburg definitely outshines
other castles in Austria. Considered to be Europe's
biggest fortress, it is conveniently located on a hill
overlooking the city of Salzburg, making it a gorgeous
addition to an already gorgeous place. It is for sure the
most visited and most notable landmark in town.
With an exterior that looks pretty much like when it
was built in the 11th century, Hohensalzburg Castle
doubles as a concert hall and event venue today.
Consider getting SalzburgCard if you plan to visit the
castle: one-time free admission and quick access. (Tip!
Entrance before 11 am includes access to State
Rooms free of charge.)
How to get thereIf you're already in Salzburg, you won't have
any difficulty finding the castle, as it looks
right at you from atop of the mountain.
From Vienna, you can either take a plane or
a train, since it's only takes 1,5 hours or so
to get there. There are over 20 trains
leaving to Salzburg from the Austrian
capital, so you'll always catch one.
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Image: traveluto.com
Entrance feeAdults € 12.00
Children (6-14 years) € 6.80
Groups (of 10 adults or more) € 11.00
Families € 26.60
AUSTRIA [österreich]
GRAVENSTEENHistory Built in 1180, the name of the castle literally means
"castle of the counts" in Dutch. The Gravensteen is
situated at an altitude of 9 meters, and while that may
not sound that high, you still get pretty nice views
from the castle.
The castle used to serve as the seat of the Counts of
Flanders until they abandoned it in the 14th century.
Then, it was used as a courthouse and a prison and it
eventually decayed. There were, however, many
torture instruments left behind that now make up a
pretty terrifying Torture Museum in the Castle,
attracting thousands of visitors per year.
How to get thereGravensteen is located in Ghent, Belgium's
secret little gem that is becoming less and
less secret over the years.
Ghent is easy to reach from any Belgian
city: trains, cars, buses, planes, all depart to
Ghent very regularly.
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Image: gravensteen.stad.gent
Entrance feeAdults € 10
Reduced € 6
FREE: Up to 19 y. o. , press, and Ghent CityCard
Gent holders
BELGIUM [België]
KARLŠTEJN CASTLEHistory Karlstejn Castle was founded in the 14th century
under the reign of Charles IV — the king of Bohemia
and the Holy Roman Emperor whom the world is
owning the existence of the famous Charles Bridge in
Prague.
Initially, Karlstejn castle was built to keep the crown
jewels, holy relics and other royal treasures that the
king was supposedly collecting with the passion of a
maniac. According to his demands, the castle was
built within an impressively short period of time — just
under 10 years — to serve as the king’s summer
residence. But ironically, Charles IV has been there
only 10 times or so, and each of his visits lasted only
for a few days.
How to get thereKarlstejn Castle, the second largest castle in
the Czech Republic, is only 40 minutes away
from Prague, and it's super easy to get there
by train.
You can buy the ticket (which is also very
cheap) directly at the Prague Central Station.
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Image: czechtourism.com
Entrance fee(Only with a tour guide available)
Adults 270 Kč (app. € 10)
Reduced 180 Kč (app. € 7)
Children 20 Kč (app. € 1)
Family ticket 860 Kč (app. € 32 )
CZECH REPUBLIC [Česká republika]
EGESKOV CASTLEHistory For 460 years, Egeskov Castle has stood in its beautiful
location in the landscape of Southern Funen.
It was built by Frands Brockenhuus and completed in
1554. Due to the troubles caused by the civil war, most
Danish noblemen built their homes as fortifications, and
this one was no exception. The castle is constructed on
oaken piles and located in a small lake with a maximum
depth of 5 metres (16 ft).
Originally, the only access was by means of a drawbridge.
According to legend, it took an entire forest of oak trees
to build the foundation, hence the name Egeskov (oak
forest).
How to get thereThe Egeskov Castle is located in Odense:
the unofficial capital and largest city on the
island of Funen in Denmark.
To get there, you can easily take a train with
DSB from any major city. Odense is around
2 hours away from Copenhagen and 4 hours
or so away from Hamburg.
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Image: wikimedia.org
Entrance fee(For park, exhibition, and castle)
Adults 190 DKK (app. € 25)
Children 110 DKK (app. € 15)
FREE: Children under 6 y.o., visitors on a
wheelchair/disabled
DENMARK [Danmark]
KRONBORG CASTLEHistory Kronborg Castle is undoubtedly one of northern
Europe's finest Renaissance castles. It is located at the
entrance to Øresund and was built in 1574-1585.
It is also Denmark's most famous castle, as it's
precisely where William Shakespeare has set Hamlet in
for the famous play. In the play, Shakespeare called
Kronborg Castle Elsinore, which has become the English
name for Helsingør, the town where the castle is located.
There are guided tours around the castle happening
every day, so you can explore the grandiose interiors,
creepy crypts, and dark catacombs. During summer, you
can also enjoy live performances of Shakespeare
greatest plays.
How to get thereTo get to the castle, you first need to get to
the town of Elsinore, located in the north
eastern corner of the island Zealand in
Denmark. Take a train ((Danish: Kystbanen)
from Copenhagen, which takes about 45
minutes.
Alternatively, you can also take a boat ride
from Helsingborg (20 minutes).
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Image: kongeligeslotte.dk
Entrance feeAdults 90 DKK (app. € 12)
Reduced 80 DKK (app. € 7)
FREE: Children
DENMARK [Danmark]
HERMANN CASTLEHistory Built by the Danes at the end of the 13th century and
strengthened over successive centuries, the imposing
Hermann Castle, along with Russia’s matching Ivangorod
Fortress just across the river, creates one of Europe's
most unique architectural ensembles.
You get a highly picturesque view over the two castles
from a riverside beach, which is a popular destination
amongst tourists.
Being the main attraction in the city of Narva, where
Germann Castle is located, it is also considered to be the
most diverse and best-preserved defense structure in
Estonia.
How to get thereNarva is Estonia's third biggest city, located
at the eastern extreme point of Estonia at
the very border with Russia.
The easiest way to get there is to take a
train from Tallinn (runs twice a day) or by
bus (also departs from Tartu).
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Image: wikipedia.org
Entrance feeAdults € 3
Children € 1,5
ESTONIA [Eesti]
TURKU CASTLEHistory The history of Turku Castle begins in the 1280's when it
was built on the banks of the Aura river. It's granite stone
walls have thus been holding the history of Finland,
Sweden, and other Nordic countries for over 700 years
now.
Over the centuries, the fortification gradually changed
into a grand greystone palace as it's seen today.
The largest surviving medieval building in Finland, it is
also the most visited museum in the country.
How to get thereHaving arrived to the city of Turku, take a
bus from the Market Square (the bus stop
is located in front of the Hansa shopping
centre).
You should follow Line 1 towards the
harbour, where the bus stops right in
front of the castle.
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Image: photos.smugmug.com
Entrance feeAdults € 10
Children € 2- 5
Reduced € 5
Family ticket € 22
FINLAND [Suomi]
SUOMENLINNAHistory Suomenlinna is a very special place. It is an inhabited sea
fortress built on six islands (Kustaanmiekka, Susisaari,
Iso-Mustasaari, Pikku-Mustasaari, Länsi-Mustasaari and
Långören) and which now forms part of the city of
Helsinki, Finland's capital.
Suomenlinna is also a UNESCO World Heritage site that
dates back to 1748 and that is popular not only among
tourists but also among locals, who enjoy it as a
picturesque picnic site. It also combines six museums.
Originally called Sveaborg (Fortress of Svea), it was
renamed to Suomenlinna (Castle of Finland) in 1918 out
of patriotic reasons.
How to get thereSuomenlinna is only accessible by water, so
the only way to get there is by ferry from the
Market Square in Helsinki (departs
throughout the year). The trip takes around
15–20 minutes and offers magnificent views
of Helsinki and the surroundings from the
sea. During the cold winter months, the trip
through the ice-covered waters becomes a
truly unique experience.
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Image: suomenlinnatours.com
Entrance feeNo entrance fee to the fortress. However, each
museum there has its own separate entrance fee.
FINLAND [Suomi]
MONT SAINT-MICHELHistory A magical island topped by a gravity-defying medieval
monastery, the Mont-Saint-Michel counts among
France’s most stunning sights. Set in the mesmerizing
bay where Normandy and Brittany merge, the island
draws the eye from great distances. The staggering
location has long inspired awe and the imagination.
The story of how the mount turned into a great place of
Christian pilgrimage is colorful. Aubert, bishop of the
nearby hilltop town of Avranches early in the 8th
century, claimed that the Archangel Michael himself
pressured him into having a church built atop the island
just out to sea.
How to get thereFrance is incredibly well-connected, so the
best way to get to Mont Saint-Michel is by
train. Get a train ticket from Paris to
Pontorson, from where you can take a bus to
the castle (around 9 kilometres).
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Image: discoverfrance.com
Entrance fee
Adults € 10
Reduced € 8
Groups € 8
FREE: Children
FRANCE [République française]
PIERREFONDSHistory Huge, monumental, and yet elegant, the Pierrefonds
château is one of the most memorable landmarks in
France.
Built in the late 14th century by Duke Louis of Orléans,
the famous château was taken down in the 17th century
and was in ruins when Napoleon III decided to
commission architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc to rebuild it.
He applied his architectural designs to create the ideal
château, such as would have existed in the Middle Ages.
Pierrefond is an absolutely delightful place, which is well
worth a visit! It is also a perfect day trip from Paris.
How to get thereTo get to the location from Paris, you have to
take the train (45 mins) to Compiegne,
followed by a bus to Pierrefonds (20 mins).
Do, however, check the schedule before you
buy your train tickets and leave home, as the
bus runs only once per day on certain days.
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Image: imgur.com/8QxWDYl
Entrance feeAdults € 8
Reduced € 6.5
Groups (20 people) € 6.5
FREE: Children
FRANCE [République française]
NEUSCHWANSTEINHistory If you’re even slightly interested in travel, you’ve
probably heard of this castle before – located in the
midst of the Alps, built by Mad King Ludwig, who spent
all the money he had for his dream to live in a fairy tale.
Thus, the Neuschwanstein Castle is ultimately the
famous "fairy-tale" castle in Germany, attracting millions
of visitors per year.
It has been prominently featured in several movies such
as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Great Escape and
serves as the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle
in Disneyland.
How to get thereThere are tours organized from the Bavarian
capital, but, if you like to travel solo, you have
to get a Bayern Ticket Munich Central Station
to Füssen, then take a bus No. 78 from Füssen
to Hohenschwangau (around 10 minutes),
and walk up the mountain for about half an
hour.
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Image: getyourguide.com
Entrance feeAdults € 13
Reduced € 12
FREE: Children
GERMANY [Deutschland]
WERNIGERODE CASTLEHistory A gorgeous castle located in a magical little town of
Wernigerode in Saxony Anhalt, Germany, has a similar
style to the Neuschwanstein Castle, though its
foundations are much older.
If you’re a history buff, you’ll probably be interested in
learning about the medieval dark past Wernigerode,
which was known to be a meeting place for witches.
Every year, on April 30 (during the so-called Walpurgis
Night), they would fly on their broomsticks to the
mountain Broken for a huge celebration that made
Halloween look like a party for kids.
How to get thereFrom Berlin (and other major cities), there are
regular buses going to Wernigerode with
Flixbus (flixbus.de, € 10 one way).
Also, if you're going on a weekend, do
consider buying Schönes-Wochenende-
Ticket: you can take up to 5 travellers for € 40
tickets around the whole Germany.
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Image: panoramio.com
Entrance feeAdults € 7
Reduced € 6
Teenagers € 4
Children free
GERMANY [Deutschland]
HEIDELBERG CASTLEHistory Each year, Heidelberg Palace attracts around a million
visitors from all over the world. Since the early 19th
century, these impressive ruins have been synonymous
with Romanticism.
It would be hard to imagine a more striking location: set
against the deep green forests on the north flank of
Königstuhl hill, the red sandstone ruins tower
majestically over the Neckar valley. From its lofty
position, the palace’s silhouette dominates the old town
center of Heidelberg.
How to get thereHeidelberg is a major tourist destination in
Germany, as well as home to the country's
oldest university. Germany's most precious
jewel, Heidelberg is easily accessed by plane
from from Frankfurt and Stuttgart, by train
from Hamburg, Cologne, and even Vienna, as
well as by bus (check out DeinBus.de).
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Image: touropia.com
Entrance feeAdults € 7
Reduced € 4
GERMANY [Deutschland]
LICHTENSTEIN CASTLEHistory This monumental gorgeousness, also known as the fairy
tale castle of Württemberg, was built in 1840 on a large
rock overlooking the Echaz valley near Honau, Germany.
The castle is often used as a film location: back in 2009, it
was used to shoot the German version of the Sleeping
Beauty, for example.
Randomly enough, it also served as inspiration for Super
Street Fighter II.
How to get thereThe nearest train station to the castle is
Reutlingen Hbf. Reutlingen is very well
connected with Stuttgart, one of the major
cities in Germany. At the bus station
Reutlingen (5 minutes to walk from the
railway station) take the bus No. 7606 and
exit at 'Honau'. From there, you've got to
walk around 20 minutes to reach the castle..
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Image: www.poetsandprinces.com
Entrance feeAdults € 2
Reduced € 1
GERMANY [Deutschland]
CASTLE OF METHONIHistory Although not preserved at all, the castle of Methoni is
really a unique piece of architecture and history. Built by
the Venetians in the 13th century on a rocky
promontory, it is one of the largest ones in the
Mediterranean.
The celebrated symbol of Venice, the lion of St Marc,
dominates the gate of the castle where immured reliefs,
emblems, blazons, inscriptions, the huge gates
–especially the main gate, above the moat – and the
relics of two Ottoman bathhouses have survived.
How to get thereTo get to the castle, you first need to get to
Methoni, famous for its ravishing beaches and
beautiful bays. Methoni is located on the
South Western part of Gulf of Messinia, 30km
west to Koroni, 11km south to Pylos, 60km
south west to Kalamata. Renting a car is
ultimately the most convenient way to get to
Methoni, although there's also a bus
connectino from Kalamata via Pylos.
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Image: abelia-villas.gr
Entrance feeNo entrance fee.
GREECE [Ελλάδα]
VAJDAHUNYAD History The castle of Vajdahunyad is a popular spot among locals
in Budapest for its pretty views and beautiful
atmosphere. However, apart from being pretty, the
castle doesn't have much history, as it was only built in
1896 as part of the Millennial Exhibition.
Originally, it was made from cardboard and wood, but it
became so popular that it was rebuilt from stone and
brick between 1904 and 1908. Today, it houses the
Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, which is the biggest
agricultural museum in Europe.
How to get thereThe easiest way to get to the Vajdahunyad
Castle is by the M1 (yellow) metro line: get off
at Szechenyi Baths (Szechenyi Furdo) and
walk towards the Millennial Monument on
Heroes’ Square. From there, directions are
easy.
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Image: anilblon.files.wordpress.com
Entrance feeNo entrance fee.
HUNGARY [Magyarország]
BUDA CASTLE History Right in the middle of Budapest stands the largest and
richest castle in Hungary. It's more of a castle complex,
really, than a single construction (resembling the Prague
Castle in that sense).
The castle is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site
since 1987, and while it looks more like a palace now, it's
erection dates back to the 14th century.
The castle complex is world-famous for its Medieval,
Baroque, and 19th-century houses, churches, and public
buildings.
How to get thereYou can't miss the Buda Castle - it's right on
the banks of Danube. So if you take a stroll
along the river, you'll find it right away.
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Image: insider.corinthia.com
Entrance feeThe entrance to the castle complex is free
of charge, however, there's a separate
entry fee to each and every museum.
HUNGARY [Magyarország]
DUNGUAIRE CASTLEHistory On the southern shore of Galway Bay sits the lonely
shape of Dunguaire Castle. It was built in 1520 on the
site of the palace of the legendary King Guaire’s palace,
for which it was named. The castle (barely large enough
to be worthy of the name) was built by the Hynes clan,
who were fighting fiercely against the encroachment of
the Normans and English.
Little is known of the time that the Hynes clan owned the
castle, but it is they who gave it its name, a name that
hearkened back to an earlier time before the
“Sassenach” had come to these shores.
How to get thereTo get to the castle, you need to arrive to
Kinvara, a small sea port village located in the
south of County Galway. There are local
buses that go to Kinvara from Galway,
departing regularly.
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Image: staticflickr.com
Entrance feeFREE entrance to the grounds
Adult € 6
Reduced € 3.50
Children € 3
Family ticket € 17.50
IRELAND [Éire]
DUBLIN CASTLEHistory For more than 700 years, from 1200 until the formation
of the Irish Republic in 1921, Dublin Castle was the
center of the English colonial administration in Ireland.
A sprawling complex of historic buildings from between
930 and 1830, it offers a unique crash course in Irish
history.
How to get thereThe castle is situated in the very heart of
Dublin, on the south side of the River Liffey,
off Dame Street, en route from Trinity
College to Christchurch Cathedral.
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Image: tourireland.com
Entrance feeAdults € 10
Reduced € 8
Children € 4
IRELAND [Éire]
CASTEL DEL MONTEHistory A magnificent citadel and castle situated on a hill in
Andria in the Apulia region of southeast Italy, it was built
during the 1240s by the Emperor Frederick II, who had
inherited the lands from his mother Constance of Sicily.
Described by the Enciclopedia Italiana as "the most
fascinating castle built by Frederick II", the site is
protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Another interesting fact: Castel del Monte also appears
on the Italian version of the one cent Euro coin.
How to get thereCastel del Monte is situated on a small hill
close to the monastery of Santa Maria del
Monte, at an altitude of 540 m.
To get there, you've got to take a train to
Andria, which can be reached by train
from Bari or Trani.
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Image: visual-italy.it
Entrance feeAdults € 7
Reduced € 3.5
Under 18: FREE
ITALY [Italia]
CĒSIS CASTLEHistory While it's all completely ruined, the Cēsis Castle is
nevertheless one of the most impressive in the Baltic
States. Once the most important castle of the Livonian
Order, it was the official residence for the masters of the
order.
The castle itself was built in the 13th century, enlarged
and fortified over the upcoming centuries until it got
partially destroyed in the Battle of Wenden in 1578.
Nowadays, the ruins are open for tourists, offering a
splendid view over the valley of the Gauja River.
How to get thereFound in a small town of Cēsis in the northern
part of Latvia, the castle is easy to reach from
Riga by car, bus, or train.
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Image: www.codelt.nl
Entrance feeAdults € 3
Reduced € 1.5
Family ticket € 6
LATVIA [Latvija]
TRAKAIHistory A wonderful castle complex located on an island in Lake
Galvė in Trakai, Lithuania (hence the origin of the castle's
name).
The construction was begun in the 14th century by
Kęstutis, Lithuania's then ruler, and around 1409 major
works were completed by his son Vytautas the Great,
who died in this castle in 1430.
Trakai was one of the main centres of the Grand Duchy
of Lithuania and the castle held great strategic
importance. Now, it's a very romantic destination
offering tranquil, serene views for nature- and history
lovers.
How to get thereBuses from Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, to
Trakai leave around 50 times per day and
only take 40 minutes to get you to the
destination. Just get a ticket at Vilnius Bus
Station at Sodų St. 22.
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Image: www.worldfortravel.com
Entrance feeAdults € 6
Reduced € 3
Family ticket € 3
LITHUANIA [Lietuva]
MUIDERSLOT CASTLEHistory Muiderslot castle is an impressive square shaped
medieval castle in Muiden in the province of North
Holland. It’s pretty close to Amsterdam so ideal for a day
trip if you’re staying in the capital city. It houses a
national museum (Rijksmuseum) and the castle has a
moat with a drawbridge.
Fun fact: the museum is depicted on the ace of clubs card
in the standard deck of cards used in the Netherlands.
How to get thereThe castle is actually so close from
Amsterdam that you can even bike there.
If you choose to use public transport, take a
bus from Amsterdam Central Station in the
direction of Muiden.
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Image: tours-cdn.azureedge.net
Entrance feeAdults € 13.50
Children € 9
NETHERLANDS [Nederland]
AKERSHUS FORTRESSHistory While Norway doesn't really have castles as such, due to
the simple fact that the country used to be rather poor in
the past, there's a famous fortress close to Oslo, which
was used to protect the capital back in the day (was also
used as a prison later on).
Akershus Fortress was built in the 13th century by King
Haakon V. Now, it's mostly used for official events and
dinners for dignitaries and foreign heads of state.
How to get thereThe fortress is right in the heart of Oslo, so
it's easy to reach (once you've reached the
Norwegian capital, of course).
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Image: thousandwonders.net
Entrance feeAdults: 100 NOK
Children: 40 NOK
Reduced: 60 NOK
NORWAY [Norge]
KRASICZYN CASTLEHistory Except for its unpronounceable name, Krasiczyn Castle
is one of the best things you can encounter in Poland.
The building is STUNNINGLY(!) beautiful. It was heavily
damaged both by the war and the Soviets, but after the
reconstruction, it shows off its splendor to the visitors
just as it did centuries ago. Built between the 16th and
the 17th century, is one of the most valuable monuments
of renaissance and mannerist architecture in Poland.
How to get thereTo reach the castle, you must go to Krasiczyn,
which is 5,5 hour car ride from Warsaw and a
little less than 3 hours ride from Krakow.
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Image: flickr.com
Entrance feeAdults: 15 PLN
Children: 8 PLN
Reduced: 8 PLN
POLAND [Polska]
MALBORK CASTLEHistory The Malbork Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
since 1997 and this makes perfect sense since this
exquisite building is actually the largest brick building in
Europe. Built by the Teutonic Knights in 1406, this
incredible landmark now houses a remarkable weapons
collection as well as an amber exhibition. After World
War II, when Malbork City and its castle became a part
of Poland once more, the castle was the focus of a major
reconstruction process, and it is now one of the most
popular tourist destinations in the country.
How to get thereA perfect day trip from Gdansk, the best way
to get to the castle is take a train (less than an
hour).
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Image: truenomads.com
Entrance feeAdults: 39,50 PLN
Reduced: 29,50 PLN
POLAND [Polska]
PENA PALACEHistory The National Palace of Pena is probably the most
famous castle in Portugal, due to its colorful
appearance and its imposing location at the peak of
the highest hill above the town of Sintra.
Protected by UNESCO, the Palace of Pena is also a
monument of national and international importance:
its story dates back to the Middle Ages when a chapel
dedicated to the Lady of Pena was established.
Eventually, this grew into a monastery and then a
castle. The façade of the building is absolutely
outstanding, and its design and location ensured that
it could be seen from anywhere in the surrounding
gardens and forests.
How to get thereSintra is a delightful Portuguese town that
lies 25km to the west of Lisbon and makes
for a popular day trip from the capital. It is
thus easy to reach from Lisbon by train
(return price: € 4.30) which leaves every
half an hour from Lisbon's city centre
Rossio station.
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Image: parquesdesintra.pt
Entrance feeAdults € 8,50
Reduced € 7
PORTUGAL [República Portuguesa]
TORRE DE BELÉMHistory Torre de Belém is definitely a site to see and a place to
bee. This beautiful fortress is a true architectural
masterpiece, featuring gorgeous, detailed
ornamentation that has never been seen in a building
with military purposes.
The castle played a significant role in the Portuguese
maritime discoveries of the era of the Age of
Discoveries, and it is strongly associated with such
names as Vasco da Gama, for example.
Torre de Belém was commissioned by King John II to
be part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus
river and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon.
How to get thereSince the castle is located in Lisbon, you
don't need to leave the capital to come visit.
Just catch a city bus: 727, 28, 729, 714, 751;
or a tram: 15; or a ferry: Belém Ferry
Station; or a suburban train: Belém station.
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Image: all-free-photos.com
Entrance feeAdults € 6
Reduced € 3
FREE: children
PORTUGAL [República Portuguesa]
PELEȘ CASTLEHistory This Neo-Renaissance castle hidden in the heart of the
Carpathian Mountains was built between 1873 and
1914 for King Carol I (who, ironically, died the same
year the castle was completed).
When King Carol I first visited the site of the future
castle in 1866, he fell in love with the magnificent
mountain scenery. So a few years later, the Crown
purchased 1,300 square kilometers of land near the
Piatra Arsă River, and so the construction began! The
cost of the work was estimated to be 16,000,000
Romanian lei in gold (approx. US$ 120 million today).
Today, Peleș Castle is a public museum.
How to get thereThe castle is found in the city of Sinaia, which
can be easily reached by train from Bucharest
and Brasov.
There are around 20 trains departing each
day: most of them IRs and will take about 1.5
hours to reach Sinaia .
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Image: pixabay.com
Entrance fee(Only with a tour guide available; prices depend on a
tour)
Adults 20 - 50 RON
Reduced 10 - 25 RON
Children 5 - 12.5 RON
ROMANIA [România]
BRAN CASTLEHistory Bran Castle looms over Transylvania with its ghostly
silhouette and blood-red towers and turrets. Built on
a solid rock foundation, the 13th-century castle is
supposed to have been the residence of Bram Stoker’s
Count Dracula. However, according to the local
legends, Count Vlad Tepes, also known as "Vlad the
Impaler", was only imprisoned here for two weeks.
Bran castle has 57 rooms and a spooky secret
passageway leading up to the watch towers - not
recommended for people suffering from
claustrophobia!
How to get thereBran Castle is located in Brasov. To get there,
take a train from Bucharest to Brasov and
then catch a bus from Brasov to Bran.
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Image: thewondrous.com
Entrance feeAdults 35 RON
Reduced 25 RON
Students 20 RON
School groups (over 20 people) 5 RON
ROMANIA [România]
BOJNICE CASTLEHistory The gem of Bojnice is the ”fairy-tale” Bojnický zámok
Castle, one of the most visited and most beautiful
castles not only in Slovakia, but also in central Europe.
This castle was for many years owned by kings and
aristocrats.
Now, it is one of the most visited castles in Slovakia.
This increasing popularity attracted many
international filmmakers and a number of romantic,
fairytale and fantasy films such as Fantagiro were shot
right here. Under the ground is a large cave complex
available for visitors during guided tours.
How to get thereThe castle is in Bojnice, which is some 70km
northeast of Trenčín, so the best way to get
there is by train from Bucharest.
Alternatively, you can also find a bus to
Previdza, which is adjacent to Bojnice, and
then another bus to the castle.
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Image: blog.timeforslovakia.com
Entrance feeFree of charge.
SLOVAKIA [Slovenská republika]
COCA CASTLEHistory Coca Castle is unique among Spanish castles: it has
only three sides since it is built into a hillside that
provides a defense from invaders who attack from the
rear. Coca Castle is also unique because its
architecture was influenced by the Moors though it
was built by Christians in the mid-15th century.
Much of the castle’s interior was destroyed in the last
century, but the exterior still retains Moorish touches,
such as the turrets.
Today, the castle is open to the public (though only by
guided tours).
How to get thereThe Coca Castle is doable as a day trip from
Segovia, which you can reach from Madrid
by the Sepulvedana bus (the return fare is
about € 15).
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Image: touropia.com
Entrance feeAdults: € 2,70
Children: € 2
Reduced: € 2
SPAIN [España]
TEMPLAR CASTLEHistory Once a fortress of the Knights Templar, this charming
castle has been shaped over many centuries of
renovation and expansion.
Located on more than 8000 square meters of land,
Templar Castle dominates the skyline over the
crossing of Rivers Boeza and Sil. Unfortunately, in the
19th and early 20th century, some of the building was
lost and walls were demolished to erect a football
field. Luckily, in 1923 it was declared a National
Monument and it has now been restored and open to
the public.
How to get thereIf you want to see the castle, plan a trip
to Ponferrada, the capital city of El Bierzo in
the Province of León.
Ponferrada is easily accessible by highway
(Autovía A-6) and intercity public
transportation is readily available, too!
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Image: skyscanner.net
Entrance feeFree of charge.
SPAIN [España]
OLITE CASTLEHistory A trip to Olite Castle is to experience a different
royalty culture in Spain, that of the kingdom of
Navarre in the northern part of the country. Also
known as the Palacio Real de Olite, the castle was
built on the first-century Roman ruins, though the
castle’s construction did not take place until several
centuries later.
Olite was one of the most luxurious mediaeval castles
in Europe. As a 12th-century German traveler wrote
his notes in his diary, now conserved in the British
Museum in London: "Surely there is no king with a morebeautiful castle or palace and with so many gildedrooms".
How to get thereOlite is a very small town in northern Spain
(Navarra), and the easiest way to get there is
probably from Pamplona (the city that itself is
worth a visit!). From Pamplona, there are
regular buses going to Olite, even though the
most convenient (and faster) way would be to
rent a car.
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Image: touropia.com
Entrance feeAdults: € 3,50
Guided visit: € 4,90
Groups: discounted (ask at the counter)
SPAIN [España]
CHATEAU DE CHILLON History Probably one of the most visually recognized castles
in the world, Château de Chillon has a lengthy history.
The earliest written record of Chillon dates to 1150.
Ever since then, it was an important strategic location
on Lake Geneva.
Many authors and artists, including Jean-Jacques
Rousseau, Victor Hugo, and Lord Byron, have been
inspired by the castle. Lord Byron’s 1816 poem ThePrisoner of Chillon centers on François Bonivard, a
monk imprisoned there in the 1500s, and Byron left
behind his name carved into the walls of the castle’s
dungeons.
How to get thereFrom Geneva, Château de Chillon is
accessible by train, car, boat, bus, or any
combination of the above. By rail, take the
train from Geneva to Montreux. Then, catch a
regional train to Veytaux-Chillon, walk the 4
km along the lakefront, or take bus Ligne N°
201 from in front of the Montreux station to
Chillon. Et voila, you're there!
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Image: farm8.staticflickr.com
Entrance feeAdults: CHF 12.50
Children: CHF 6.00
Family ticket: CHF 29.00
Reduced: CHF 10.50
SWITZERLAND [Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft ]
UCHISARHistory Possibly the ugliest castle in the whole Europe,
Uchisar can, however, be called the most unique one
too, because people carved it out of the rocks instead
of purposely building it from the ground up.
Known as the tallest point in the Cappadocia region,
Uchisar has the fantastic landscape views to boot, but
the stark interior also intrigues because corridors
lined with rooms eventually lead to the tallest point
where people used to live in caves carved into the
exterior walls. On a clear day, Mount Erciyes stands
proud in the distance and cars on the main road
running from Uchisar to Goreme seem like miniature
models.
How to get thereThe main transportation point for the region
is the provincial capital of Nevşehir, with its
busy bus station and not-so-busy airport. The
closest train station and busy airport are at
Kayseri.
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Image: taskonaklar.com
Entrance feeAdults: 5 TL (around 1.5 EUR)
TURKEY [Türkiye]
THE SWALLOW'S NESTHistory A symbol of Crimean southern coastline, The
Swallow's Nest is a decorative castle located at
Gaspra, a small spa town between Yalta and Alupka.
It was built between 1911 and 1912, on top of the 40-
metre (130 ft) high Aurora Cliff, in a Neo-Gothic
design by the Russian architect Leonid Sherwood for
the Baltic German oil millionaire Baron von Steingel.
Thus, the castle had no defensive or military purpose,
as it was built out of aesthetic reasons.
Swallow's Nest overlooks the Cape of Ai-Todor on the
Black Sea coast, and offers some seriously beautiful
views.
How to get thereThe castle is just a 20-minute drive from Yalta.
Take bus No. 27 to Alupka and get off at
Swallow's Nest station.
Alternatively, you can also take a ferry from
Yalta - it departs regularly from the port.
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Image: trover.com
Entrance feeAdults: 300 RUB
Children: 200 RUB
UKRAINE [Україна]
WINDSOR CASTLEHistory As soon as you enter the Windsor Castle, it is as if you
traveled back to the Middle Ages. The walls are 4
meters thick, with just a long narrow vision slit cut in
the shape of a cross.
The streets you'll cross there are about 1000 years
old, and you can still read the ancient medieval signs
at the top of the doorways. Windsor Castle is really
like a small town on its own, so there’s a lot to explore:
there’s a castle itself, a beautiful chapel, cute little
shops, small dwelling houses, and, of course, lavish
gardens.
How to get thereBefore you go, remember this: The Castle
becomes an official residence of the royal
family for a month over Easter (from March to
April), which means that many rooms are
closed to visitors from the beginning of spring.
To get to Windsor, take a direct train from
London. It's about an hour ride.
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Image: therussianabroad.com
Entrance feeAdults: £ 18.50
Reduced: £ 16.90
UK: ENGLAND [United Kingdom]
DUNLUCE CASTLEHistory The iconic ruin of Dunluce Castle bears witness to a
long and tumultuous history. First built on the
dramatic coastal cliffs of north County Antrim by the
MacQuillan family around 1500, the earliest written
record of the castle was in 1513.
The castle is famous, however, not only for its history,
but also for the inspiration that it provided to writers
and artists. Dunluce Castle is reputed to be the
inspiration behind the royal castle of Cair Paravel in
Ulster-born writer CS Lewis’s Narnia stories.
It's really worth a visit, especially for its scenic
location!
How to get thereThe fastest way to get to Dunluce Castle is
from Belfast: go to Belfast Great Victoria
Street Station, get a train to Portrush, and
from there, catch the North Coast Open
Topper 117 to Dunluce Castle.
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Image: independent.co.uk
Entrance feeAdults: £ 2.00
Children: £ 1.00
UK: NORTHERN IRELAND [United Kingdom]
EDINBURGH CASTLEHistory Built high upon a plug of an extinct volcano, standing
between sea and hills, Edinburgh Castle is, firstly, the
most visited castle in Europe, hosting more than 1
million people each year, and, secondly, one of the
most haunted castles in the world.
Some of its famous ghosts are believed to be: an old
man in a leather apron, a little headless drummer boy,
and a mysterious piper who was lost in the tunnels of
the castle centuries ago.
How to get thereThe castle dominated the whole skyline of
Edinburgh, so it's impossible to miss it when
you visit the city. It stands at the head of the
Old Town of Edinburgh.
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Image: dailyrecord.co.uk
Entrance feeAdults: £ 16.50
Reduced: £ 13.20
Children: £ 9.90
UK: SCOTLAND [United Kingdom]
EILEAN DONAN CASTLEHistory Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most recognized
castles in Scotland and probably appears on more
shortbread tins and calendars than any other. It is,
without any doubt, a Scottish icon and certainly one of
the most popular visitor attractions in the Highlands.
When you first set eyes on it, it is easy to understand
why so many people flock to its stout doors year after
year. Strategically located on its own little island,
overlooking the Isle of Skye, at the point where three
great sea-lochs meet, and surrounded by the majestic
splendour of the forested mountains of Kintail, Eilean
Donan Castle's setting is truly breath-taking.
How to get thereThe Isle of Skye is easy to visit either by ferry
at Glenelg or by bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh (8
miles from the Castle).
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Image: seriouspuzzles.com
Entrance feeAdults: £ 7.50
Reduced: £ 6.50
Family ticket: £ 20.00
FREE: Children under 5 y. o.
UK: SCOTLAND [United Kingdom]
THIS IS IT. 45 castles. 25 countries.
Hope you want to visit some of them now!
For more inspiration, visit www.therussianabroad.com.
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