Europe is a massive place featuring thousands upon thousands of castles. While this is just a small selection of the castles you may find travelling across Europe, all of these Castles are located in Countries you can get to using the Eurail train system.
Ammersoyen Castle
Built: Around 1350
Location: Netherlands
The Ammersoyen castle is located near the Mass River in the Netherlands. The castle was originally built somewhere around 1350 by the Van Herlaer family and has changed ownership many times. The castle is rectangular shaped and features towers in each of the four corners. The castle also is also surrounded by a moat to help fend off sieges.
Boechout Castle
Built: 1100’s
Location: Meise, Belgium
The Boechout Castle, located just nort of Brussels was originally built in the 1100’s. The oldest piece of the castle that remains is from the 1300s. The castle has since been rebuilt numerous times and houses a few small art exhibitions. The castle is now mainly used for gatherings and conferences.
Duino Castle
Built: 1000AD
Located: Castello di Duino, Italy
This castle site is actually the home to two castles that jutt out into the Gulf of Trieste. The first castle is name ‘The Old Castle’ and dates back to 1000 AD. Unfortunately, ‘The Old Castle’ is in ruins and is no longer able to be visited.
‘The New Castle’ was built du ring the 1300’s and was built on the ruins of a Roman military outpost. The castle was nearly destroyed in the 15th century when it was attacked by the Turks. In World War II the Germans used the castle and built a bunker in the rocks next to the castle. Today the bunker is used as a museum.
Hamm Castle
Built: 1052
Location Bitburg, Germany
Hamm Castle was first built in 1052, when it owned by the Counts of Vianden. At the time the Counts of Vianden were the protectors of the Abbey of Prüm. The Prüm stream flows around the castle which is situated on a large ridge. The castle is still inhabited by it’s owners, but they do offer a holiday suite if you want to head to Bitburg Germany for a vacation.
Auzers Castle
Built: 1470
Location: Village of Auzers, France
Auzers Castle is locally known as Château d’Auzers and has been inhabited by the same family since the 15th century. All aspects of the original castle are still in tact including the lookout turrets, the rampart walk and the tower.
Heidenreichstein Castle
Built:1190
Location: Village of Heidenreichstein, Lower Austria, Austria
Heidenreichstein is an amazing water castle situated in Heidenreichstein, Austria. The castle itself has two separate draw bridges and a giant square keep. There are a few towers that are
still fully intact. Because of the way the castle is laid out the castle was never over taken and has never been destroyed. The castle now houses a museum that you can visit to learn more about the castle.
Alcazar of Segovia
Built: 1075AD
Location: Segovia Spain
The Alcazar is more than just a castle, it is a palace. The castle is located within the walled city of Segovia in Spain. Many Spanish kings of lived in this castle due to its amazingly beautiful exterior. In 1862 this beautiful castle fell victim to a devastating fire however it was promptly rebuilt in 1882 using sketches of the original interior. Even though the castle’s interior is only a few hundred years old, the exterior is still original and what you do see on the interior is close to the original state.
Loule Castle
Built:1249
Location: Loule, Portugal
Loule Castle is a very medieval looking castle with classic architecture you’d probably see in movies such as Lord of the Rings. An Earthquake devastated the building in 1755 causing substantial damage however all damage was restored in the 20th century. Currently, the three remaining towers can be visited for free during daytime hours. Although you can see the towers for free, the rooms attached to the towers are off limits.
Ansembourg Castle
Built: 1100’s
Location: Valley of the Eisch Stream, Luxembourg
The Ansembourg castle, known locally as Alt-Ansembourg is located in the Valley of the Eisch stream. This area also goes by the Valley of the Seven Castles and features six other castles. These castles include Mersch, New Ansembourg, Schoenfels, Koerich, Septfontaines and Hollenfels. This castle is constructed around 200 feet above the valley floor on a rocky spur. In the 1500s the castle was renovated, where the keep was torn down and the gate tower fo the bailey was built. The castle is not available to be visited as it is private property.
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