The epitome of a beautiful French residence, this castle at Chambord combined the need for defense with a style that would take the world by storm. Construction began in the fifteen hundreds, and today is one of the most recognizable châteaus in France. It is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The castle has been owned by royals, fallen into decay, and was reestablished thanks to Gaston d’Orleans, who carried out extensive restoration work. King Louis XIV added a twelve-hundred horse stable, which allowed him to use it as a hunting lodge, but he too abandoned the location not long after he planted his flag.
Bran Castle – Bran, Romania
Look at that pretty set of structures, nestled into the hills of Romania. It's the kind of place a princess could live! Or, if you're Bram Stoker, a vampire. Yes, Bran Castle is the inspiration for Dracula's Castle in the original "Dracula".
Bran Castle served as a medieval fortress during the thirteen hundreds and later became a royal residence. Of course, Dracula wasn't real...but his inspiration, Vlad the Impaler, son of Vlad Dracul, was. However, most historians agree that Vlad probably never set foot in the castle, seeing as how it was an unfriendly place for him to visit and was never under his rule. It's just a creepy place.
No Vampires in Here
Of course, once you step inside the castle, those spooky feelings will dissipate quickly. The interior of the castle is now a museum, and full of wonderful amenities among its fifty-seven rooms. There are, however, several secret passages, which can be a wonderful way to spook your friends.
Of course, the connection to Dracula was great for the tourism industry in the area. In the 1970s the Communist Party of Romania made the decision to market the castle as the “real” Dracula castle, which drew no small number of vampire fans. The castle now, like so many others, houses a museum.
The Largest Château in Loire Valley
This site is now visited by thousands of people every year, and there's plenty of space for all of them. The huge building includes 440 rooms, a total of 282 fireplaces, and eighty-four staircases. While it was built with tough walls, corner towers, and a moat, this castle was never intended to defend its dwellers from enemies. Even the partial moat was considered an anachronism at the time of its construction.
Also part of this home of kings and princes is the spectacular double-spiral staircase, the centerpiece of the château. It's so well known, that there are even thoughts that Leonardo da Vinci may have been the original designer of the staircase, though obviously not involved in its construction.
Edinburgh Castle – Edinburgh, Scotland
If you visit Edinburgh, it's hard to miss this incredible construction. Situated on top of Castle Rock, and overlooking the entire city, this castle has been the home to Scotland and the U.K.'s monarchs. It maintains its position as one of the oldest fortified places in the whole of Europe – evidence of humans has been found on Castle Rock in one form or another, dating back three thousand years!
It dominates the skyline of the city, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Scotland. The castle is home to the Scottish regalia, AKA the Honours of Scotland, and is the site of the Scottish National War Memorial.