Great Castles of Europe

5

of the Most Visited Castles in Europe

BT: ZUNAIRA GHAZAL

Europe is, overall, a notable tourist hub where the carefully preserved historical gems, aesthetic architecture, and romantic vibe attract thousands and thousands of tourists every year. Some of the busiest tourist sites are the historic castles of Europe, reflecting the grandeur and cultural splendor of countless past civilizations.

Prior to Covid’s impact, I had the opportunity to travel this amazing continent. Visiting Europe was an experience of a lifetime, especially for a history fanatic like me who got to visit, touch, observe and walk around the hallways, paths, and rooms of the castles, where royals of the past once lived and governed.

In this article, I will walk you through five of the most visited castles in Europe, and point out the reasons why these castles stand out among thousands across this historically rich continent.

On this list of the five most visited castles in Europe, the first is Alcazar de Segovia. Located in Segovia, Spain, the Alcazar of Segovia is one of the famous medieval castles in Spain. The castle's architecture appears to have come straight out of some dreamland with its enchanting towers and picturesque turrets. The backdrop of the castle is also worth note, with the castle’s clifftop positioning amid the Guadarrama mountains that extend beyond.

The castle was built in the twelfth century by King Alfonso VI as a royal residence. King Alfonso VIII was the first Emperor to enjoy this castle as his residence. The castle was later modified in the sixteenth century as per Gothic traditions, which can still be seen today. In the eighteenth century, the castle was converted to a state prison until King Charles III decided to change the castle's status to a Royal Artillery school in 1762.

Today, the castle serves as a museum and military archives building. Thousands of tourists worldwide visit this dreamland castle for both its historical significance and picturesque location, making it one of the top five most-visited castles in Europe.

Another beautiful castle providing architectural splendor and visual aesthetics, is Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. Nestled amid the Bavarian Alps, the castle appears to have been plucked and pasted on Earth from a Disney movie. Interestingly, the castle has inspired many castles featured in Disney movies. From its fascinating turrets to its magnificent throne hall to its sky-high towers, Neuschwanstein Castle certainly deserves the status of being one of the top five most visited castles in Europe.

Reflecting on the castle's history, the building of the castle is believed to be commissioned by King Ludwig II, but he never lived to see the castle completed. The castle never got the status of a royal residence. Instead, after the death of Ludwig II it was opened to the public and soon became famous in Germany as one of the highest visited tourist spots.

With the Gothic structural elements blending with Byzantine-Arab traditions, the castle offers fascinating architectural and cultural traditions of the past. You cannot visit the castle without a guided tour, and an entrance fee is required to enter the castle premises, but the experience itself is definitely worth the cost.

Rheinstein Castle is another German hot spot in Europe. It continues to enchant tourists worldwide with its romantic vibes and hotel services for visitors. Located on a rocky ridge overlooking the Rhine River, there is no better spot than the Rheinstein Castle to enjoy a first-hand experience of staying in a medieval castle. The castle is protected by the Rhine Valley walls, providing an optimal temperature surrounding the area, adding to its features as the five topmost visited castles in Europe.

Exploring the castle's history, it was built around 1282 AD by the Roman Emperor Rudolph von Habsburg. The castle was constructed for the Archbishop of Mainz, to secure the land against the marauding knights. The castle enjoyed its glory for the coming few centuries till it was reduced to ruins in the 17th century. The ruins were later restored by Prince Friedrich in the 19th century, mirroring romantic architectural traditions. An enchanting garden, according to Romantic traditions, was also added to the castle to elevate its aesthetics.

The castle today is famous for its historical significance and the special experiences it offers to tourists. In addition to the guided tours, the castle has a restaurant overlooking the Rhine River where you can bask in the medieval aesthetics of the castle while enjoying your food. In addition, there are two beautiful apartments furnished with period décor where you can stay overnight and get a real-life experience of staying in a castle.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Celebrating1000 years worth of history, this castle earns its place as one of the top five most visited castles in Europe. The castle is located on a hilltop in the outskirts of Salzburg city. With its Baroque towers overlooking the city, Hohensalzburg Castle features one of the most enchanting skylines.

Exploring the castle's history, the initial construction of the castle began around 1077, under the supervision of Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein. The castle was originally built with wood but was later fortified and expanded by Emperor Henry IV in the fifteenth century. The renovations and reinforcements to the castle continued throughout its history, with the most recent done in the later nineteenth century. The fortress began as a royal residence, then became a prison for Italian prisoners of war, and is now known as one of the best preserved castles in Europe.

To visit this historical beauty, you need to pay a small ticket fee for the castle and the museum. If you plan ahead, you can reserve a spot to enjoy a Mozart’s concert, as well as a VIP dinner and river cruise.

Alhambra Palace located in Granada, Spain, also finds its place among the five most visited castles in Europe. With the mountains of Sierra Nevada as its backdrop against its red brick walls, it is a pristine example of Moorish architecture in Spain.

Overlooking the city of Granada, the palace was built around 1238 AD, where it started as a small fortress known as Alcazaba. The fortress was expanded to a palace under Nasrid rule, followed by several reconstructions and reinforcements to the castle. After the Moors were expelled from the castle in the fifteenth century, King Charles V rebuilt some of the palace portions in Renaissance style and added Italian influences.

Today, the palace stands proud in its carefully preserved form with the original Moorish orchids and gardens. Exploring this Moorish beauty, you will hear many legends and anecdotes attached to the castle’s history.