# World's Most Beatiful Castles **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 5, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127 "2009-12-05T20:45:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr\_Buttons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Mr\_Buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Buttons)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/1 "2009-12-05T20:45:21Z")
[Link](http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-srv/gallery/0901_BeautifulCastles/index.html?jumpToPic=0) I only skimmed the first 15 pics. #3 and #4 have some very cool stone entryway bridges. #11 was pretty cool too, But holy shit, pic #8 is just about the coolest castle I could dream of.šŸ†’ ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/2 "2009-12-05T21:56:24Z")
Awesome! I liked Bran Castle best, I think, because of all the turrets. I didnā€™t know so many castles had survived, in such (apparently) good condition. I guess they were built to last in those days. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/3 "2009-12-05T21:59:35Z")
#5 and 6, Eilean Donan, belongs to my clan. The family has been connected to the area since the 1300ā€™s and and the castle stood empty for a few centuries after the Jacobite rebellion until it was purchased by John MacCrae in the early 1900ā€™s and is now the seat of the clan. I would love to visit it some day. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/4 "2009-12-05T22:06:03Z")
Iā€™m glad Bamburgh was number one. It really is spectacular (in fact, IMO, the coast line around that part of the UK is the most impressive in the country). Better pictures [here](http://www.lightinthelandscape.co.uk/@ref/@downloads/Jacobs_ladder_over_Bamburgh_castle_download.jpg) and [here](http://www.newburycameraclub.org.uk/images/Bamburgh%20Castle,%20Northumberland.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/5 "2009-12-05T22:28:13Z")
The [second picture](http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-srv/gallery/0901_BeautifulCastles/ss_bamburgh2.jpg) from Bamburgh Castle shows a beautiful suit of 17th century cuirassierā€™s armour. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/6 "2009-12-05T22:50:22Z")
No Alhambra? Hmph. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/7 "2009-12-05T22:59:27Z")
I think that [Hohenzollern](http://www.reedfamilyhistory.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/0006-joseph-flieg-c0101.jpg) in Baden-WĆ¼rttemberg, at least the exterior, belongs on that list. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/8 "2009-12-06T03:10:09Z")
Not surprising that [Japanese castles](http://images.google.co.jp/imglanding?imgurl=http://img01.kitaguni.tv/usr/akkesi1946/1s%25E5%25A7%25AB%25E8%25B7%25AF%25E5%259F%258E.jpg&imgrefurl=http://akkesi1946.kitaguni.tv/e547384.html&usg=__Rw-plfVkAOOebCwwKZ5Bwhj9hhA%3D&h=400&w=600&sz=108&hl=ja&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=z0hswENdEGTxsM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%25E5%25A7%25AB%25E8%25B7%25AF%25E5%259F%258E%26hl%3Dja%26rlz%3D1T4GGLG_jaJP310JP310%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&q=%E5%A7%AB%E8%B7%AF%E5%9F%8E&rlz=1T4GGLG_jaJP310JP310&sa=N&um=1&start=0) get left off the list. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/9 "2009-12-06T04:39:23Z")
> [@TokyoPlayer](#): > > Not surprising that [Japanese castles](http://images.google.co.jp/imglanding?imgurl=http://img01.kitaguni.tv/usr/akkesi1946/1s%25E5%25A7%25AB%25E8%25B7%25AF%25E5%259F%258E.jpg&imgrefurl=http://akkesi1946.kitaguni.tv/e547384.html&usg=__Rw-plfVkAOOebCwwKZ5Bwhj9hhA%3D&h=400&w=600&sz=108&hl=ja&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=z0hswENdEGTxsM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%25E5%25A7%25AB%25E8%25B7%25AF%25E5%259F%258E%26hl%3Dja%26rlz%3D1T4GGLG_jaJP310JP310%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&q=%E5%A7%AB%E8%B7%AF%E5%9F%8E&rlz=1T4GGLG_jaJP310JP310&sa=N&um=1&start=0) get left off the list. Thatā€™s probably because of all the paper doors, windows, walls and stuff. A proper castle needs stone construction to withstand a good siege! šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/10 "2009-12-06T07:44:10Z")
> [@TokyoPlayer](#): > > Not surprising that [Japanese castles](http://images.google.co.jp/imglanding?imgurl=http://img01.kitaguni.tv/usr/akkesi1946/1s%25E5%25A7%25AB%25E8%25B7%25AF%25E5%259F%258E.jpg&imgrefurl=http://akkesi1946.kitaguni.tv/e547384.html&usg=__Rw-plfVkAOOebCwwKZ5Bwhj9hhA%3D&h=400&w=600&sz=108&hl=ja&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=z0hswENdEGTxsM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%25E5%25A7%25AB%25E8%25B7%25AF%25E5%259F%258E%26hl%3Dja%26rlz%3D1T4GGLG_jaJP310JP310%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&q=%E5%A7%AB%E8%B7%AF%E5%9F%8E&rlz=1T4GGLG_jaJP310JP310&sa=N&um=1&start=0) get left off the list. Yeah, whereā€™s Himeji Castle? ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/11 "2009-12-06T07:48:34Z")
A lot are repeated, but not all. And Iā€™m glad I wasnā€™t the first one to say ā€œwhereā€™s the Alhambra?ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/12 "2009-12-06T07:51:49Z")
> [@Mr\_Buttons](#): > > [Link](http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-srv/gallery/0901_BeautifulCastles/index.html?jumpToPic=0) > > I only skimmed the first 15 pics. #3 and #4 have some very cool stone entryway bridges. #11 was pretty cool too, But holy shit, pic #8 is just about the coolest castle I could dream of.šŸ†’ You should see the interior. [Throne room](http://www.essential-architecture.com/IMAGES/Neuschwanstein_Thronsaal.jpg). Or ā€œ[The Grotto](http://www.ronsaari.com/stockImages/germany/linerhofCastleGrotto.jpg)ā€ at one of his many other castles. Technically itā€™s not a castle- itā€™s a palace. It was built centuries after castles were used as forts and was literally designed to look like a storybook castle. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/13 "2009-12-06T08:58:03Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Thatā€™s probably because of all the paper doors, windows, walls and stuff. A proper castle needs stone construction to withstand a good siege! But look at the spin-off technology ā€“ origami! Actually, Japanese castles are made of stone bases but wood walls, The moats and outer walls had to keep the invaders out, once the enemy got close enough to burn the castle, it was toast, as it were. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/14 "2009-12-06T11:43:01Z")
Castle Dracula [http://www.romania100hotels.com/castles/bran/bran-castle.jpg](http://www.romania100hotels.com/castles/bran/bran-castle.jpg) Castle Frankenstein [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/InnerCastle.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/InnerCastle.jpg) Displayed without judgement ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/15 "2009-12-06T11:56:20Z")
> [@TokyoPlayer](#): > > Not surprising that [Japanese castles](http://images.google.co.jp/imglanding?imgurl=http://img01.kitaguni.tv/usr/akkesi1946/1s%25E5%25A7%25AB%25E8%25B7%25AF%25E5%259F%258E.jpg&imgrefurl=http://akkesi1946.kitaguni.tv/e547384.html&usg=__Rw-plfVkAOOebCwwKZ5Bwhj9hhA%3D&h=400&w=600&sz=108&hl=ja&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=z0hswENdEGTxsM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%25E5%25A7%25AB%25E8%25B7%25AF%25E5%259F%258E%26hl%3Dja%26rlz%3D1T4GGLG_jaJP310JP310%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&q=%E5%A7%AB%E8%B7%AF%E5%9F%8E&rlz=1T4GGLG_jaJP310JP310&sa=N&um=1&start=0) get left off the list. My favorite is the [Hirosaki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hirosakijo.jpg)castle, and donā€™t miss going during the Neputa Matsuri Festival if you have a chance. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/16 "2009-12-06T12:30:58Z")
The Krak des Chevaliers in Syria may not be one of the most beautiful castles, per se, but itā€™s certainly one of the most [formidable-looking.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Crac_des_chevaliers_syria.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/17 "2009-12-06T12:36:22Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > #5 and 6, Eilean Donan, belongs to my clan. The family has been connected to the area since the 1300ā€™s and and the castle stood empty for a few centuries after the Jacobite rebellion until it was purchased by John MacCrae in the early 1900ā€™s and is now the seat of the clan. I would love to visit it some day. Iā€™ve been to Eilean Donan and will be going back next year. The thing that is surprising is how small it is. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/18 "2009-12-06T12:37:56Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > No Alhambra? Hmph. I presume thatā€™s because itā€™s classed as a palace not a castle. Any ideas why? It does have a citadel, doesnā€™t it? ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/19 "2009-12-06T12:41:02Z")
And I think Kronberg looks more like a palace than a castle. Would have liked to have seen Dunnotar there. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127/20 "2009-12-06T14:44:02Z")
Iā€™ve only been to a couple of ā€œproperā€ castles, [Conwy](http://www.castlewales.com/conwy.html) and [Caernarfon](http://www.castlewales.com/caernarf.html). My brother and I had Conwy to ourselves on a wet Sunday afternoon, it was fantastic. My favorite American ā€œcastleā€ is [Scottyā€™s](http://www.nps.gov/deva/historyculture/scottys-castle.htm). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-beatiful-castles/520127.md?page=2)