With a perfect perch on a rocky hill, overlooking the confluence of two rivers, Alcazar of Segovia appears to be the bow of a ship, slicing through waters with a beautiful medieval look. Construction took centuries, and the initial foundations were laid in the twelve hundreds.
The name is simple – Alcazar means fortress, stemming from the Arabic “al’qasr.” This is also where Alcatraz got its name since California was settled by the Spanish. The huge halls of this formidable fortress are immense structures, and the castle itself is huge – the castle and the grounds together combine for a hundred and thirty-four hectares.
Buda Castle – Budapest, Hungary
When you visit Budapest and take in the huge city, one building will stand out: Buda Castle, a huge palace on Buda hill, overlooking the Danube River. This immense structure is the focal point of Budapest's Castle District.
It's been undergoing constant construction since the fourteenth century, and during World War II it was destroyed. After the war ended, it was rebuilt with a simplified Stalin Baroque style. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Calling this castle historic is an understatement since it's gone through wars, regime changes, the Holy Roman Empire, and numerous updates, all while reigning over Budapest.
Lots to See Inside this Huge Complex
Buda Castle is now home to the National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, and the National Library, and each one requires its own entry fee. It's pretty easy to say that you could spend a week seeing everything at this immense, gorgeous piece of architecture. Parts of the castle, like the courts, are still free.
The castle also includes an extensive cave system, which was utilized by hunters to store tigers and Hungarian mountain bears during the Ottoman era. There are numerous unique and memorable rooms to enjoy, such as the Writing Room, the Royal Bedroom, the “Circle” Room, and the Archducal Apartments.
Don't Get Too Lost
It's been said that Alcazar of Segovia was the inspiration for the Wicked Queen's home in Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", and is also thought to be one of the inspirations for Cinderella's Castle at the Walt Disney Magic Kingdom Park.
There are hundreds of interior rooms to explore, which include the Hall of las Piñas, named for the decorative motifs of the coffered ceiling, and the Room of the Belt, named because of the long golden lace walls. There's also a chapel where the king or queen took mass, and the Armory Room, which features a collection of weapons.
Shuri-jô Castle – Naha, Japan
This is a beautiful example of far-eastern architecture. This stylish castle was built for the Ryukyu Kingdom, serving as a palace for four hundred years until the year 1879. Though the castle was nearly destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa during World War II, a long restoration project brought it back to life, and the castle is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It also spent some time as part of a university campus after the war. It's the site of numerous important religious and cultural ceremonies, though since the restoration has limited access to the site for the purpose of some events.