One of the most famous plays of all time, “Hamlet”, was set in Kronborg Castle – though William Shakespeare called it Elsinore. Nestled on the border between Denmark and Sweden, the castle was an important stronghold between the sixteenth century and the eighteenth century.
First built in the fourteen hundreds, it began as a fortress (known then as Krogen) for King Eric VII, controlling the entrance to the Baltic sea. King Frederic II, between 1574 and 1585, transformed the fortress into a magnificent Renaissance castle. A fire destroyed much of the castle in 1629, but King Christian IV had it rebuilt.
Chillon Castle – Veytaux, Switzerland
Few of the fortifications on this list have their roots as far back as Chillon castle. Romans laid the foundations of this fortress in the Bronze Age as a Roman outpost, guarding a strategic road through the Alpine passes. Sitting on the edge of Lake Geneva, the first written record of the castle itself is from 1005.
Throughout the centuries, the castle has been home to royalty, captured and recaptured by invaders, and withstood sieges. The Swiss style of the castle is structurally similar to other European castles of the medieval style. However, its outward appearance is still unique, with sloped, tiled roofs and circular towers.
Want to Have a Party in a Castle?
“Chillon” comes from a word that means “flat stone, slab, or platform.” Seeing as how this castle is perched on a rock platform, it's the perfect name. Chillon Castle includes twenty-five buildings and plenty of rooms in each one. Visitors are free to tour the castle.
According to the castle's website, it is the most visited historical monument in Switzerland! Want to show off to your friends? Space inside the castle is available to rent for events. As for pop culture influence, the castle was the inspiration for Prince Eric's castle in "The Little Mermaid".
Modern Interior With a Classic Exterior
The castle consists of four wings surrounding a courtyard, and a Great Hall – the largest of its kind in Northern Europe – is used for banquets. The interior also boasts royal apartments, a large ballroom that has been updated with modern aesthetics, and a “Little Hall,” full of tapestries portraying a hundred Danish kings.
There is also a chapel that has been used as an army barracks, a gymnasium, and a fencing hall. Numerous famous actors have played Hamlet in the castle of his history, including Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, David Tennant, and Jude Law.
Osaka Castle – Osaka, Japan
Osaka Castle is one of the five beautiful Hirajiros that Japan is home to. It is beautifully white, gilded with colors, and the sprawling castle grounds are full of traditional cherry blossom trees, making the public park a popular destination when the trees bloom. The bloom's Hanami festival is home to food vendors, taiko drummers, fireworks, and much good cheer.
The castle is one of the more important spots in Japan's long history. It was built in the fifteen hundreds and was the setting for the unification of Japan in the sixteen hundreds, which led to the Shogunate and samurai era.