In 1914, a successful businessman named Sir Henry Pellatt decided to construct a lavish castle that would rival Europe’s finest aristocratic estates. Pellatt’s 98-room castle—known as Casa Loma—featured stately gardens, sprawling stables, and more than one secret passageway. Pellatt got so carried away with adding ornate flourishes—such as engraving the names of his horses in…
Doune Castle might evoke a sense of dΓ©jΓ vu, even for those who haven’t visited before, due to its appearances in various films. Movie buffs, particularly Monty Python enthusiasts, flock to this castle from around the globe to experience the location where scenes from Monty Python and the Holy Grail were filmed. Coconut shells are…
Perched on a hilltop at an altitude of 540 meters, the medieval castle Castel del Monte proudly overlooks the comune of Andria in the Apulia region of Italy. Built by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century, this unique fortress features an octagonal design, making it an architectural marvel of its time. Recognized…
Rocca Calascio is one of Italy’s most fascinating and awe-inspiring historic sites. Situated in the heart of the Abruzzo region, this mountaintop fortress is perched atop a craggy peak that overlooks the surrounding Navelli Valley and the plain of Campo Imperatore. With its dramatic landscape and imposing architecture, Rocca Calascio has become one of the…
Transylvania, Romania is best known for a menacing castle that was home to a fierce warrior and ruler named Vlad the Impaler. Vlad the Impaler ruled Transylvania in the mid-1400s. Locals view him as an avenging hero who drove away Saxon invaders. Descendants of the defeated Saxons have characterized Vlad the Impaler as a brutal…
Most casual pedestrians strolling through the San Francisco neighborhood of Bayview are unaware that there is 6-story castle tucked away behind a tall fence. In 1870, British immigrant John Hamlin Burnell was inspired to build a Norman-style castle in his adopted home of San Francisco. Burnell was able to start a brewery called Albion Porter…
If you have ever dreamed of being the proud owner of a lavish castle, you’re in luck. Steel heir Chris Mark recently put his luxurious castle on the market. Mark spent several years traveling Europe to gather materials from churches and chateaus so that he could build an authentic castle in Woodstock. Connecticut. Chris Mark…
Have you ever thought about the reason why castles are so appealing to travelers? Is it the majesty or, most likely, the ability to travel back in time that draws people to it? It would be impossible to imagine Europe’s history without castles scattered throughout Europe, spanning different eras and architectural styles. And isn’t it…