The World's 10 Most Beautiful Historic Castles  

The 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace honoured Richard Wagner. Ludwig II renovated Hohenschwangau Castle with Neuschwanstein Castle. Ludwig's dream castle was a steep hill above Hohenschwangau where he could rule like a Nobel after Austria's defeat in the Austro-Prussian War forced an alliance with Prussia.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Welsh castles, built by the Normans since 1066, are Britain's largest at almost 600 per square mile. The architecture of these fortresses evokes royal Welsh dynasties. Some majestic structures remain, while others are romantic ruins with a history.

Caernarfon Castle

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England, is the third most beautiful castle in the world at 13 acres above the south bank of the Thames. William the Conqueror built it after the Norman invasion and is known for its royal architecture.

Edinburgh Castle

The Scottish National War Memorial and Honours of Scotland were in Edinburg's fortress. The sandstone Stone of Scone or Destiny crowned kings. The One O'Clock Gun, a loud cannon fired every six days at 1:00 pm on the Castle Esplanade, is part of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an international military music festival.

Kilkenny Castle

The Victorian-renovated 12th-century castle in Kilkenny, Ireland, has parklands. The Long Gallery, Parade Tower, library, and drawing rooms show architectural grandeur. As Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde, it was their main residence.

Château de Chambord

The Château de Chambord, the largest Renaissance castle in the Loire Valley, France, is one of the world's most famous palaces. Its innovative architecture combines Renaissance, Classical, and French Renaissance styles.

Castel del Monte

The 13th-century citadel and castle in Andria, Apulia, Italy, is valued worldwide for its perfectly octagonal shape with eight towers. Since it had no moat, drawbridge, or trapdoor, Frederick II may have built it to symbolise geometric symbolism, the union of human perfection and God's infinite perfection.

Pena Palace

Since 1995, UNESCO has recognised the Pena Palace, a Romanticist castle in São Pedro de Penaferrim, on the Portuguese Riviera, as a World Heritage site A unique mix of Neo-Gothic, Neo-Islamic, Neo-Manueline, and Neo-Renaissance architecture. 

Castles in Japan

Kanazawa Castle, a large, partially restored castle in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, symbolises Edo Period clan power. Located in Chūō-Ku, Osaka, Osaka Castle is a famous and historic castle in Japan that was crucial to the 16th century samurai confederation.

Prague Castle

Prince Bořivoj founded the largest castle complex in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Prague, Czech Republic, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The Czech President's office is in Baroque and Mannerism style.

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