Secrets Of Stunning European Castles

Living in Europe, Germany to be exact, one of the activities I most enjoyed was discovering the secrets of stunning European castles. What tales they have to tell!

Castles dot the European landscape with their ancient stones brimming with tales of romance, legends and disaster. Centuries upon centuries of war, prosperity, happiness and misery fill these ancient halls that were once homes as well as fortresses.

I was thrilled to be able to visit a lot of these magnificent structures. When you are standing in the courtyards or in front of the enormous fireplaces, you can’t help but get embroiled with your imaginations of knights and maidens.

But would I be willing to spend a night in these castles? These mighty and awe inspiring homes of the royals and nobles?

Why, of course not. And here’s why…

Reichenstein Castle

Best Hotels: BOOKING.COM

A truly impressive castle sitting along Germanys’ Rhine River (Rhine produces the best wine ever), Reichenstein has seen its share of dark times. I strongly recommend taking a boat tour along the Rhine for it allows you the perfect vantage point for seeing these incredible castles looming along the steep hills.

Dating back to roughly the 11th century, Reichenstein has been subjected to bloody enemy sieges and brutal overthrows. A proof of fact as to the gruesome battles fought here, you can view the arrowheads found on the surrounding property in the museum.

Reichenstein was also home to robber barons, many of whom were hung in the area’s trees. It is said that the leader of the robber barons, Dietrich von Hohenfels, was told if he could walk headless past all nine sons, they would not be executed. With that, the swordsman decapitated von Hohenfels and yet his body continued to walk headless past all nine sons before collapsing thus freeing his sons from a similar fate.

Schloss Johannisburg

Best Hotels: BOOKING.COM

This was one of the most beautiful castles I visited in Europe. It rests in Aschaffenburg Germany, not far from where I lived so we went there many times to shop, enjoy the history and ride bikes.

Erected around the early 1600’s, the town and the castle suffered immensely during the Thirty Years’ War. Deaths occurred in staggering numbers from hunger and disease and combat. Invading armies showed no mercy during this long war which was followed by the Battle of Dettingen in 1743 and heavy occupation of French troops.

JETRADAR SEARCHES ALL AIRLINES TO FIND YOU FLIGHTS WITH THE BEST DEALS

Edinburgh Castle

Best Hotels: BOOKING.COM

What a cool castle! Sitting in the center of town on an extinct volcano overlooking Edinburgh Scotland, this castle is a massive awesome picture of strength and romance.

What hasn’t happened in this castle?! The violent history and turmoil that took place here is immense. War, imprisonment, disease are printed across these stones. This castle saw the highest level of sieges and attacks then any other castle in the entire world.

People died from grief and despair, from unrelenting assaults, executions that ended with the limbs of the executed being hung over the walls for all to see, treasonous acts… You can feel the heaviness in the air.

There was an area however, that was small and personal and that was Mary, Queen of Scot’s bedroom where she gave birth to King James VI. As I stood alone in Mary’s bedroom, it did not feel eerie to me but rather I felt calm and not at all nervous to be by myself.

RESERVE YOUR FAVORITE VEHICLE THROUGH RENTALCARS.COM

Ronneburg Castle

Best Hotels: BOOKING.COM

Ronneburg Castle is located in central Germany and I fell in love with this perfect representation of medieval architecture and presence.

This exquisite castle remains almost entirely as it was in the Middle Age. Ronneburg saw knights and chivalry but also fire, the horrors of the Thirty Years war, the plundering of invading armies in 1634 and devastated Protestant exiles. The castle changed hands many times over the centuries enduring many violent and merciless captures from the tip of bloody swords.

I loved this castle. I visited Ronneburg several times and I found it to have its dark side but to have a charming and cozy side. While in Ronneburg, I could truly get a glimpse into the lost ages.

York Castle

Best Hotels: BOOKING.COM

For such a gorgeous city as I found York England and the surrounding countryside to be, York Castle has endured a tumultuous history of death, wars and the suffering of centuries worth of imprisonments. Built around 1068 by none other than William The Conqueror, York Castle was destined to experience one of the worst riots during medieval England where a mob was enticed to attack the Jewish community, believing through rumors that Richard I had given orders to do so.

In order to avoid the attack, the Jewish community sought refuge in the thick walls of the castle. As the mob surrounded the castle walls and became more violent, a decision was made by the families inside to commit suicide.

This tragic choice was made to avoid being killed by the unruly mob while a few remaining souls set the castle afire. 150 Jews died during this horrific siege.

Dedication is given by the city to these people who perished under such circumstances through ceremony and a plaque now sitting at the base of Clifford’s Tower, the only part of the castle remaining.

Stirling Castle

Best Hotels: BOOKING.COM

Beautiful Stirling Castle located just outside Edinburgh Scotland was one of my favorites. Touring this castle, you can feel the past all around as you walk the smooth worn stones.

Stirling Castle is very important in that it not only guarded the city from it’s regal perch on a cliff but it held many crowning ceremonies (one being Mary, Queen Of Scots), and served as residence to the royals who lived and died here.

Sieges were numerous for this castle due to its stronghold might and location. Battles were common in attempts to take and/or defend this stronghold.

Killings outside of battles also took place in these walls. William, 8th Earl of Douglas was stabbed to death when he refused to cooperate with James II to end an alliance.

It wasn’t only the interior of the castle that saw killings but, all around the property as well for many battles and murders took place directly outside the walls. I enjoyed greatly seeing such a magnificent structure of history but, as our guide pointed out the numerous deaths that occurred here throughout the centuries, you do tend to start staring into the dark corners.

Dover Castle

Best Hotels: BOOKING.COM

One of my most favorite sightseeing locations was Dover England. I thought the cliffs were an incredible geographical sight and the town of Dover awesomely quaint and full of friendly people. I even loved the charming little train station and the ancient cemetery where I remember reading a gravestone for a 21 year old man who had been killed in the battle of Waterloo.

Sitting in a commanding position atop the Dover cliffs is Dover Castle and we were fortunate to be able to go in and tour that day. Before going on, let me say the aspect of this castle that really sticks out was the bathroom that held a thick stone with a hole carved out in the center allowing the “items” to drop into an abyss below.

Built in the 1180’s by King Henry II, Dover Castle was originally begun by William The Conqueror in 1066. Due to it’s perfect strategic position, Dover Castle experienced sieges where deaths occurred not only outside the walls but inside as well by prisoners held captive in the dungeon.

Murders have been recorded at this castle throughout history. A young drummer boy was killed in the passages beneath the castle and is said to walk around without his head.

Dover also saw military action in WWI and WWII, as armies attempted to take over this British headquarters.

Hampton Court

Best Hotels: BOOKING.COM

When you go to the magnificent and sprawling Hampton Court in England, plan to spend the entire day. Walking the gardens surrounding this incredible home took me most of the day however, it is going to be worth your time as the perfection of the plants and arrangements are incredible.

Hampton Court was built by Thomas Wolsey, a cardinal to Henry VIII. Wolsey lost favor with the king and gave the palace to him and this, along with St. James’ Palace, became Henry’s favorite.

It was as we were standing in the tennis courts that we were told King Henry VIII was playing a match here when it was announced to him that Anne Boleyn had been executed. The guide said his response was a nod and then he resumed his game.

It was also here that the Kings’ wife Jane Seymour died two weeks after giving birth and that Catherine Howard pleaded for her life in the gallery before being executed at the Tower Of London for adultery charges in 1542. Servants and assistants to the royals have died here from disease, one a nurse to Elizabeth I who contracted smallpox from Elizabeth and then died from it inside the palace.

As I walked this exquisite property, I found great beauty and peace in the gorgeous gardens and skilled architecture. Hampton Court is truly extraordinary and special in many ways.

The Tower Of London

Best Hotels: BOOKING.COM

The Tower Of London is truly an imposing site and yet so elegant in its stark simplicity. I was actually excited and a little weird as we crossed the bridge to see this famous palace where numerous deaths from disease, imprisonment, executions and natural passings occurred.

The Tower Of London was built by, who else but, William The Conqueror around 1078 and suffered numerous sieges and battles. The castle also served as a prison where the ruined people were tortured before dying.

Two bodies were discovered in the walls of the Tower and are believed to be the Princes in the Tower. Well known executions were Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey , Catherine Howard, George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence and Guy Fawkes and Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford and William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings.

The last person executed was during WWII. Josef Jakobs was shot by a firing squad on charges of being a German spy.

As we traveled around Europe and explored castles, palaces and towns, we gained a wealth of information from our guides who were immensely informed and helpful and who I am thankful to for their patience and for their knowledge.

Something I recommend doing before you visit a castle or really any place you haven’t seen before is to do some research before you go to the location. Knowing the history and a little about the people who once lived there can make your visit highly rewarding.

I am an affiliate of all listed agencies. I will earn a small commission should you book through this site which is very appreciated by me and at zero extra cost to you. Thank You.

PLAN YOUR ENTIRE TRIP: FLIGHT, ACCOMMODATION, CAR, TOURS, PACKAGES, TRANSPORTATION VIA EXPEDIA

A FEW TOP BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN EUROPE

BEYOND By Geisel Munich Germany – Click image below to reserve