# Pictures of Castles **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 12, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827 "2015-09-12T15:00:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/1 "2015-09-12T15:00:29Z")
I just got an email with some spectacular images of scenery around the world. Among them was a view of [Hohenwerfen Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenwerfen_Castle) that I have turned into my computer “wallpaper.” There are some other amazing castles views at [Top 10 Most Beautiful Castles With Breathtaking Scenery](http://blok888.blogspot.com/2014/04/top-10-most-beautiful-castles-with.html) that are equally stunning. The only such place I have ever seen in real life is [Casa Loma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Loma) in Toronto when I was a kid. Do you have a favorite castle picture? ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/2 "2015-09-12T15:47:54Z")
Not specific pictures, no, but any pictures of Neuschwanstein Castle is guaranteed to please. I am also partial to Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott’s fanciful Victorian-medieval estate. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/3 "2015-09-12T16:00:30Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > Not specific pictures, no, but any pictures of Neuschwanstein Castle is guaranteed to please. I am also partial to Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott’s fanciful Victorian-medieval estate. Around the end of each year, if I pass a display of calendars in a mall or bookstore, I like to look to see if there’s a Castles calendar. They always have a picture of Neuschwanstein, usually on the cover. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/4 "2015-09-12T16:10:19Z")
Also no specific pictures, but I have a particular fondness for [Carcassonne](http://www.france.fr/en/sites-and-monuments/fortified-city-carcassonne.html), which, to me, looks exactly like what a castle should look like. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/5 "2015-09-12T16:40:09Z")
Not promoting it but I have a whole entry in my blog [about great castle pictures.](http://fillthehours.blogspot.com/2015/07/imagine-aretha-franklin-singing-day.html) My favorite is Mont St Michel because it’s named after me-- if I was 5 or 6 hundred years old. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/6 "2015-09-12T16:43:28Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Not promoting it but I have a whole entry in my blog [about great castle pictures.](http://fillthehours.blogspot.com/2015/07/imagine-aretha-franklin-singing-day.html) My favorite is Mont St Michel because it’s named after me-- if I was 5 or 6 hundred years old. Cool! Nice pictures! ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/7 "2015-09-12T16:49:49Z")
Not a promotion, but a relevant site: [http://www.topcastles.com/](http://www.topcastles.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/8 "2015-09-12T17:00:08Z")
Yeah, I expected to see Neuschwanstein as #1 on the list. In addition to making it onto every castle calendar ever, it’s probably also the #1 subject of jigsaw puzzles. Also not surprised to see Mt. St. Michel. Which is also a really effective castle. I’m surprised there aren’t more castles built on tidal islands: It makes invasion a lot harder, without significantly hindering peacetime access. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/9 "2015-09-12T17:04:00Z")
A few that I’ve seen: [Sao Jorge](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/LisbonCastle.jpg) in Lisbon. [Belem Tower](https://peripateticbone.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/belem-tower-2.jpg), just outside of Lisbon, on the Tejo River. [Guimaraes Castle](http://www.worldfortravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Castelo-de-Guimar%C3%A3es-7-Architect-Wonder.jpg) in Portugal. [Sintra Castle](http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/2309457_f520.jpg) in Sintra, Portugal The [Great Mosque](http://www.houseoftravel.co.nz/images/default-source/africa/great-mosque-of-djenne-mali.jpg?sfvrsn=2&size=500) of Djenne, Mali. While technically a church, it’s construction would seem to indicate that it was also designed to fend off enemies. [The Alhambra](http://www.amazingplacesonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Alhambra-Palace-Spain-JR2.jpg), built as both a palace and fortress. [Castle of Guadamur](http://www.castlesandmanorhouses.com/photos/guadamur.jpg), Toledo, Spain 8th century [Moorish Castle](http://www.tintazul.com.pt/castelos/lsb/snt/sintra-mouros-tom.jpg) in Sintra, Portugal ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/10 "2015-09-12T17:13:38Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > A few that I’ve seen: > > [Sao Jorge](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/LisbonCastle.jpg) in Lisbon. > > [Belem Tower](https://peripateticbone.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/belem-tower-2.jpg), just outside of Lisbon, on the Tejo River. > > [Guimaraes Castle](http://www.worldfortravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Castelo-de-Guimar%C3%A3es-7-Architect-Wonder.jpg) in Portugal. > > [Sintra Castle](http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/2309457_f520.jpg) in Sintra, Portugal > > The [Great Mosque](http://www.houseoftravel.co.nz/images/default-source/africa/great-mosque-of-djenne-mali.jpg?sfvrsn=2&size=500) of Djenne, Mali. While technically a church, it’s construction would seem to indicate that it was also designed to fend off enemies. > > [The Alhambra](http://www.amazingplacesonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Alhambra-Palace-Spain-JR2.jpg), built as both a palace and fortress. > > [Castle of Guadamur](http://www.castlesandmanorhouses.com/photos/guadamur.jpg), Toledo, Spain > > 8th century [Moorish Castle](http://www.tintazul.com.pt/castelos/lsb/snt/sintra-mouros-tom.jpg) in Sintra, Portugal Amazing! Which is your favorite? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/11 "2015-09-12T17:23:56Z")
I hope y’all won’t laugh but one of the first “wallpapers” I had on my first PC (1986?) was something very much like [this one.](http://www.scaryforkids.com/pics/haunted-castle.jpg) I hope the other one I had is still on the web somewhere. It was a drawing as opposed to a photo, but it had all the ingredients that fascinate me about spooky castles. Another one I like, in that same vein, is the real life “Dracula’s Castle” which I’m sure I have seen on the internet recently. It has to have been among [these.](https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0LEVy4KX_RVI1EA1RpXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyczg3amEwBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjAwMjdfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=Dracula%27s+Castle&fr=yfp-t-901) 🙂 Thanks for the great replies! ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/12 "2015-09-12T17:40:37Z")
Oh wait! How could I have forgotten the castle of my mother’s birthplace, [El Morro](http://puertorico.com.pr/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/El-Morro-Puerto-Rico1.jpg). One day I’ll visit it since it can be reached without a passport. Not too many castles can be visited without one. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/13 "2015-09-12T18:00:03Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Oh wait! How could I have forgotten the castle of my mother’s birthplace, [El Morro](http://puertorico.com.pr/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/El-Morro-Puerto-Rico1.jpg). One day I’ll visit it since it can be reached without a passport. Not too many castles can be visited without one. Spectacular! Made me think of [San Simeon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearst_Castle) or [Cà d’Zan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A0_d%27Zan) which, I do think I read somewhere, was the basis for the castle of _Citizen Kane_ in the movie. Speaking of movies, do any of you remember the “Evil Scientist…Boo” bit from [Primus “Welcome To This World” featuring Bugs Bunny and Gossamer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l-9jcX1SYY) and maybe the original toon? I was in grade school at the time! ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/14 "2015-09-12T18:05:25Z")
Im quite partial to [this one](https://www.flickr.com/photos/17270214@N05/17901780024)! And [another picture](https://www.flickr.com/photos/17270214@N05/5277811660) of [Edinburgh Castle](https://www.flickr.com/photos/17270214@N05/2389756816) from the other side ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/15 "2015-09-12T18:11:39Z")
Here’s a piece of artwork that’s beckoning me to make it my wallpaper: [No name on the link](http://artistdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dracula-castle.png) but as close as I have found to that old one from the 1980s. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/16 "2015-09-12T19:08:54Z")
Here’s a [List of castles in the United States.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_castles_in_the_United_States) Any if them near you, or ones you may have visited? And here’s another list: [Castles of the United States](http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/) with more Tennessee places listed than at the first link. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/17 "2015-09-12T19:22:55Z")
Seen all the ones in NYC but never considered any of them _real_ castles. Not far where I live on Long Island is this old school, St. Paul’s, that was slated for demolition(!) 7 years ago but was rescued (thank gooodness) and is now a recreation center. I drove by it daily on my way to work. [Is this not Hogwarts on Long Island?](http://static01.nyt.com/images/2010/01/17/nyregion/17land_span/articleLarge.jpg) The grounds around it are now soccer, baseball and other playing fields. It boggles my mind that this was going to be torn down. ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/18 "2015-09-12T20:43:33Z")
My mother in law lives near [Conwy Castle](http://fav.me/d7yp3ea) (my own photo) in North Wales. There are a lot of castles up there, many in a good state of repair. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/19 "2015-09-12T21:06:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **Zeldar** : > > Here’s a List of castles in the United States. Any if them near you, or ones you may have visited? Huh, they do list [Franklin Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Castle), which I grew up within walking distance of, and still pass by on a regular basis. For the past few decades, it’s been passing from owner to owner on a regular basis, as a long line of people try to make it somehow profitable. What the place really needs is someone rich and eccentric enough to actually make it their home. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827/20 "2015-09-12T21:17:26Z")
For something completely different, [here are some castles in Japan](https://www.flickr.com/photos/75905404@N00/albums/72157633299520175) that I’ve taken pictures of. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-castles/730827.md?page=2)