Atop its mountain outside Lisbon, a Romanticist castle from the Middle Ages brims with color. King Ferdinand II of Germany built this residence for Queen Maria II of Portugal. He placed it on a beautiful spot that allows not only a good look at the countryside but also a panoramic view of Portugal’s Riviera.
With bright yellows, vivid reds, and even cool, soothing blues, the exterior design of this castle catches the eye and demands attention. Completed in 1854, the castle is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. It’s available to tour and is also used for state functions.
Windsor Castle – Windsor, England
The late Queen Elizabeth II liked to spend her days at her residence in Windsor Castle, just outside of London. This huge stone structure has been the official residence of the royal family – no matter which one it might be – for more than nine hundred years.
It's both the oldest and the largest still-occupied castle in the world. The castle takes up thirteen acres of space, which doesn't include the large grounds and garden. This structure is weighed down under much history, as can be expected from such a long-running royal residence.
Where the Queen Lived
The Windsor Castle contains a mind-boggling one thousand rooms. It's one of the biggest residences in the world. In 1992, a devastating fire did a great deal of damage to the castle's east end. However, restorations have brought it back into a beautiful state and presented a good opportunity to update it to modern standards.
Want to know something interesting? The Queen has slept in the dungeons – during World War II, whenever the Luftwaffe would do bombing runs, Elizabeth and her sister ran to the dungeons to stay out of harm's way. There was no central heating and there were plenty of beetles.
Portugal's Prettiest Palace
The interior of the palace wasn't fully finished and furnished until 1910. Tour guests can now enter and take in the eye-popping vaulted ceilings and the incredibly detailed wall frescoes, stuccos, and painted walls.
Notable rooms include The Chapel, The Royal Dining Room, and The Noble Room. There is also the Kitchen – which is big enough to house all the cooks needed for such a structure, which may have seen hundreds and hundreds of guests for official functions. The interior serves as the summer residence of the family and is home to numerous royal collections.
Stirling Castle – Sterling, Scotland
Stirling Castle is said to be a “brooch” that holds Scotland together, situated right between the Highlands and the Lowlands. This ancient residence was once home to King James IV. The castle was also a symbol of Scotland's independence. During the numerous wars and conflicts between England and Scotland, the castle changed several hands and has been sieged at least eight times.
Sitting atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, its strong defensive position made it critical for any army who wanted to control the land. The most recent was only a few hundred years ago, in 1746. The castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument managed by Historic Environment Scotland.