[/] WELCOME, LOGOUT SIGN IN / CREATE ACCOUNT Follow us on LOGOUT GET APP TOI HOME Adventure Holidays Weekend Getaways Driving Holidays TIMES PASSION TRAILS Destinations Hotels Things to do Eating Out Nightlife Guides Destinations Hotels Things to do Eating Out Nightlife Guides Adventure Holidays Weekend Getaways Driving Holidays TIMES PASSION TRAILS Home / Destinations / 15 European real-life castles for history buffs 15 European real-life castles for history buffs nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 01 Descending from history pages to contemporary lands is a fascinating way to explore the world. And exploring castles is perhaps the most immersive way to unravel historical legends and buried stories. Europe, especially Germany has some of the most interesting and well-preserved palatial abodes from the annals of history. (Text by Reva Vidyalankar) nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 02 Standing tall just outside of Berlin, the Sanssouci Palace is the former summer palace of Fredrick the Great, King of Prussia. Sanssouci literally means ‘without worries’ symbolising that this castle was more of a place of relaxation than a seat of power. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 03 Burg Eltz is one of the best preserved castles in Germany. In WWII, French soldiers went up and down the Mosel River burning castles. Burg Eltz can’t be seen from the river and escaped destruction. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 04 Neuschwanstein Castle sits atop a rugged hill just outside of a village in Bavaria, Germany. Commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria, who is sometimes known as Mad King Ludwig, this castle was the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 05 Carefully concealed by the surrounding forest, the Wartburg Castle is the ideal representation of power in so many ways. Known famously as the place where Martin Luther spent his exile, the castle stands as a symbol of German unity and integrity. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 06 More than 300,000 visitors from all over the world, visit the Hohenschwangau Castle every year! A summer and hunting residence for the Bavarian royal family, the interiors of the castle's walls are adorned with scenes from medieval legends and poetry. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 07 Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, nicknamed the ‘Nymph Palace’, is a true treat for all those visitors who enjoy getting an insight into the opulent lifestyles of aristocrats. A circle of ornate Baroque mansions line the entire palace. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 08 Ornate gardens, a sense of serenity and breathtaking fountains make for most of Hermitage Old Palace’s charm! Located near the residential town of Bayreuth, the castle was built as the central feature of the Hermitage court. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 09 Nestled in the hills, 300 feet above the city of Heidelberg, stands the breathtaking Heidelberg Castle. An incredible ruin, described by Mark Twain in his travel writings, the castle epitomised the Romantic movement. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 10 Hohenzollern Castle is the ancestral seat of the German royal family, the House of Hohenzollern. A fairy tale drive up to the castle immediately transports visitors back in time. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 11 Arenberg Castle, in the middle of a beautiful park, was built by the Lords of Heverlee in Salzburg, Belgium. The castle is now owned by an Engineering Science faculty and is used for university lectures. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 12 Peles Castle is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Europe. With its fairy tale turrets and pointed towers, the castle was the first one in the continent with central heating and electricity. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 13 Another specimen which seems to have been lifted striaght from the pages of a Grimm's fairy tale, Wernigerode Castle presents a stunning sight. Standing against a spectacular backdrop of the Harz Mountains, the castle was initially used as a hunting round for the emperors of Germany. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 14 A dream location for photography enthusiasts, the Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England, used to be the home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory. The castle sits on 600 acres of parkland with extensive gardens and trails. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 15 At the heart of Europe’s largest enclosed park stands Chateau de Chambord, France’s most revered chateau. The colossal size of the chateau is astounding and its breathtaking skylights are a sight to be seen. nextSlideshows prevSlideshows 16 Prague Castle is the official residence and the office of the President of the Czech Republic. Interestingly, the Bohemian crown jewels are kept hidden within the castle walls at all times. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Been There, Done that? Share your Experience! Characters Remaining: 3000 X Sort By: Newest Oldest Discussed Up Voted Down Voted Be the first one to review. From around the web Recommended by Colombia ALSO SEE FOLLOW US ON SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Get Inspired! Travel ideas from across the world straight to your inbox. 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