Extreme guide of Castles

Castles

A castle (from the latin castellum) is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the middle ages by the nobility. Scholars debate the extent of the word Castle, but generally considered that it is the private fortified residence of a Lord or noble. This is different from a palace that is not fortified, from a fortress, which was not always a residence of nobility, and a fortified settlement, which was a public defense - although there are many similarities between this type of construction. The use of the term has changed over time and has been applied to structures as diverse as hill forts and country houses. During the approximately 900 years that castles were built they took in a large number of forms with many different characteristics, although some, such as curtain walls and arrowslits, were very common.
A European innovation, castles originated in the 9 and 10 centuries, after the fall of the Carolingian Empire as a result its territory is divided between individual Princes and Lords. These noble built castles to control the immediately surrounding area, and were offensive and defensive structures, but rather provide a base from which it could launch attacks, as well as protection from enemies. Despite its military origins often stood the Castle studies, the structures also serve as centres of administration and symbols of power. Urban castles were used to control the local population and important travel routes, and rural castles is often close to the features that they were an integral part of life in the community, such as factories and fertile lands.
Many castles were originally built of Earth and wood, but their defenses had later been replaced by stone. Early castles often exploited natural defences, and lacked features such as towers and it was based on a central tower. At the end of the 13th century and principles of the 12, emerged a scientific approach to the defense of the Castle. This led to the proliferation of towers, with an emphasis in that flanqueara the fire. Many new castles were polygonal or relied on concentric defence – several stages of defence one inside each other entering function at the same time to maximize firepower of the Castle. These changes in defence have been attributed to a mixture of technology, Castle of the Crusades, as concentric fortification, and inspiration from earlier defenses, as Roman forts. Not all elements of the architecture of the castles were of military nature, and devices such as moats evolved from their original purpose of defence into symbols of power. Some large castles long have had approaches intended to impress and dominate their landscape.
While gunpowder was introduced into Europe in the 14th century, did not affect significantly the Castle until the 15th century, when artillery became in powerful enough to break through walls of stone. While castles continued building until well into the 16th century, new techniques to deal with improved cannon fire makes them unfriendly and undesirable for living places. As a result, Royal Castles fall into decline and were replaced by artillery forts with no role in civil administration, and rural houses that were indefensible. From the 18th century, there was a renewed interest in castles, with the construction of castles of drills, which forms part of a romantic revival of Gothic architecture, but they had no military objective.

Main parts of a castle

The wall. All enclosure goes fenced a high and thick wall with a path that runs at its top. Of stretch on stretch, cubes or towers that allow diversifying shooting angles and defend themselves are interspersed in the wall. All canvases are often topped by battlements for the protection of defenders. It is also common to have flown POEs to improve the conditions of firing on the attackers. At the foot of the wall and surrounded by outside a moat is sometimes opened to prevent the approach of the enemy; saves with drawbridges. There may be more than one walled defensive ring.
Torre del homenaje. It is the main tower, which serves as the residence of the Lord and complies with the most important functions of the Castle, Harbor rooms major and, occasionally, food stores. More sheltered in relation to a possible foreign attack, is in the position so if sucumbiese the rest of the defenses, this tower provide a last refuge.
Barbican Tower: is a work of fortification in front of the walls and protecting an access door. They could have fortified own portals of mandatory step to access the main gate
Comb or rake tends to be a heavy grating, topped below on tips that it formed part of the fortifications of the door next to the drawbridge and the Barbican.
Battlements, were as function protecting defenders, some had holes, as embrasures (for firearms) or loopholes (to launch throwing weapons
Adarve or camino de ronda, where defenders are parapetaban.
The courtyard: is a central space around the patio where certain rooms, as the Chapel (when there is one), the banquet room, ships for quartering of troops, etc. are distributed The entrance to the Castle occurs through the courtyard; He is accessed from the rest of the units.

Top 10 medieval castles

Throughout history, there have been countless battles between tribes, Nations and civilizations... and be humanor has needed often create formidable engineering works to keep his enemies at Bay. During the middle ages built a myriad of medieval castles all over the world, sometimes for a military reason, sometimes for a monarch or simply to show the greatness of a Kingdom. Then we will make a tour of the 10 best medieval castles of the world that are still standing, and they are some of the most visited places in the world.

1 Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle is one of the most outstanding examples of medieval castles. With over 1000 years of history, this medieval castle was fortified in 1068 by William the conqueror. This famous medieval castle is one of the main attractions of United Kingdom; Since it has one of the best fortifications. For centuries it was home to the most powerful Earls of England. The collections of furniture, tapestries, armour and paintings are additional attractions arriving to attract about 1 million people each year.




2 Castle Puymartin.

This medieval castle was built in the 13th century, lies on the border between France and England, and was one of the key fortresses during the war of 100 years, above all by its strategic location. Situated on a steep hill, with excellent views of the Valley, Puymartin remained reason for disputes between English and French in the following centuries, during the so-called religious wars. This medieval castle consists of several large buildings that are interconnected by high pointed towers. The interior decoration of the castle is particularly interesting, in the rooms you can see authentic furniture and rooms with beautiful frescoes, tapestries, etc.

Castillo Puymartin  castillos medievales

Flickr: Vincent van der Pas

3. Prague Castle.

It is the world's largest Gothic medieval castle. It has about 570 meters long and 130 meters wide, it is considered the largest medieval fortress in the world. Built in the 9th century, it has been the residence of the Kings of Bohemia and Presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. The interior of the complex houses Prague Cathedral, the convent of San Jorge (which contains ancient art of Bohemia), the basilica of San Jorge, the Royal Palace, galleries of Renaissance and baroque painting.

Castillo de Praga  castillos medievales

Flickr: Bogdan Migulski

4 Windsor Castle.

One of the medieval castles largest and most ancient of the world that are still used as a residence, occupied by her Majesty is the Queen of England. There are currently more than 500 people who live and work in this castle. The original castle was built after the invasion of Guillermo the Conqueror, and since the time of Enrique I has been used by a great succession of Kings.

Castillo de Windsor  castillos medievales

Flickr: jrmurray000

5. Bran Castle

Known as Dracula's Castle. Nowadays is a museum open to tourists, displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie. Tourists can see the interior individually or through a guided tour. At the bottom of the Hill a small park there are Museum outdoor showing traditional structures of Romanian peasants (houses, barns, etc.) from across the country.

Castillo de Bran  castillos medievales

Flickr: borderlys


6 Castle Hardegg

This medieval castle is the most interesting spectacle of the town of Hardeeg, situated near Hollabrunn, lower Austria. The city is located on the Thaya River on the border with the Czech Republic. Originally built in the 11th century, the Castle Hardegg has lost much of its meaning when Bohemia became part of the Empire of Habsburgo.st

Castillo Hardegg  castillos medievales

Flickr: friedl aigner

7 Castle Blair

This majestic castle is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland, right in the heart of the picturesque Perthshire. This medieval castle is located near the village of Blair Atholl, and bears the name of one of the families who lived there in the past.
Blair was the home of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl clan. It is located in Strath of Garry and occupies a position strategic as one of the main roads through the central highlands of Scotland. It was built in 1236.

Castillo Blair castillos medievales

Flickr: psyentist_2000

8 Castle Ashford

It is one of the medieval castles, that today have become synonymous with luxury, style and first-class service. For about $370 per night, you can experience the refined atmosphere of this Irish Castle which became a hotel. The Castle offers its guests splendid rooms, irresistible culinary delicacies and spa facilities and beauty treatments, as well as activities of fishing, tennis, golf and horse riding.

Castillo Ashford castillos medievales


Flickr: lived

9 Castle Heeswijk.

It's a beautiful Castle medieval, located near the Dutch city of the same name. It is surrounded by a water-filled moat, and has a bridge as access. The first medieval castle of this place was built before 1100. Currently the Heeswijk castle can be used for any type of cultural activities and personal celebrations. Apart from its walls, it also houses an interesting museum that tells the life and traditions in the 19th century.



castillos medievales Castillo Heeswijk

Flickr: tiberiusgracchus

10 Castle Sully

Locally known as Castle of Sully-sur-Loire, this castle joins the list of medieval castles converted into luxury hotels. The castle is located in the French town of the same name, about 130 kilometers from Paris. The first time that the castle of Sully is mentioned in historical sources was in 1102. It was found that the place was fortified during the Gallo-Roman era and the 11th century. In August 1218, ordered the construction of the cylindrical fortress, to the South of the current Castle, whose ruins can be still visited.

Castillo Sully castillos medievales


Flickr: aeshnaton

10 of the most beautiful castles of worlds


Do there was a time when high walls and walls are needed to protect themselves from the invading armies, lifestyles have changed not?Fortunately, as you can see in these images of Castle living stuningly below, some have survived for decades and are still standing today, a reminder of how life used to be.

1 Castle Caerlaverock


Picture of Castle Caerlaverock

Castle Caerlaverock is a triangular castle date from the 13th century located south of Dumfries, Southwest Scotland.John de Maccuswell, deceased in 1241, was first Lord Maxwell of Caerlaverock and its proximity to the Spanish border proved to be sieged several times, especially by Eduardo conqueror.[image source: David a. G Wilson ]]

Interesting fact: Caerlaverock was defended vigorously though defeated.To the surrender found that only 60 men had maintained the entire Spanish army at Bay for an extended period of time, a testament to its design.


2 Castle Dunluce


Picture of Castle Dunluce

Dunluce Castle was built in the 13th century by Richard de Burgh, the Earl of Ulsterand, and is a medieval castle situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.Dunluce Castle is only accessible through the bridge of the continent because it sits atop an outcrop with very steep sides, perfect for the defence of bassalt.

Interesting data: on the 17TH is the area of the kitchen, next to the cliff, collapsed into the sea and it is rumored that only a small kitchenboy survived because he was sitting in the corner that does not fall in. [image source: Ivan JRG ]]

3 Castle Babelsberg


Picture of Castle Babelsberg

Castle of Babelsberg, considered the main Castle in Park Babelsberg but only one of several, is found in Germany and was built originally as a summer palace small for Prince William de Prusia around 19th century.Later served as a Museum of paleontology from 1966 until the end of the cold war.Today, the location is part of Potsdam humanity.[source of image: gari.baldi ]]

Interesting data: survived World War II without much damage only to fall into disrepair during the cold war.Is being restored to the glory of the 19th century.

4 Castle Beaumaris


Picture of Castle Beaumaris

Beaumaris Castle was built in Beaumaris, on the Isle of Anglesey, beginning in 1295 for King Edward I by master James of St George was however never completed.The castle was the last of several castles built in the area designed to defend the Royal House.Your design is the concept of double wall where the outer walls House inside a building that is indeed a very defensible Castle it.With 14 layers of Defense Beaumaris Castle is considered to be almost perfect.

Interesting data: "Door-next-sea" protected from a dam of tide that allowed ships to dock with the castle of refuelling.[image source: today is a good day ]]

5 Castle Eilean Donan


Picture of Castle Eilean

Eilean Donan Castle was built as a defence by Alexander II of attacks by Vikings in 1220.In 1719 the castle was destroyed by three Navy frigates Reals after the castle had fallen into Spanish hands and was then rebuilt, 200 years later, by Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap.[image source: Allan Gourlay ]]

Interesting data: Eilean Donan castle has appeared in several movies including Highlander (1985), Loch Ness (1996) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007).

6. Mespelbrunn Castle


Picture of Castle Mespelbrunn

Mespelbrunn Castle was built between Frankfurt and Würzburg Germany in 1412 by Echter of Mespelbrunn.Design is Castle medieval moat with Romanesque - Renaissance style.[source of image: billbarber1 ]]

Interesting data: Mespelbrunn Castle was one of the locations of the film The Spessart Inn - 1958, which is based in a fairytale by Wilhelm Hauff.

7 Castle Heemstede


Picture of Castle Heemstede

Heemstede Castle was completed in 1286 on the Spaarne River by Dirk van Hoylede in the province of Noord-Holland, Netherlands.Has been built, burned down and rebuilt several times over the centuries and it was modified Tomb in 1810, after years of neglect.Is nowadays a restaurant.[image source: (Erik) ]]

Interesting data: families in the area often away during the hot summer months to prevent the fever of the channel of the local channels emanates.

8 Castle Werfen


Picture of Castle Werfen

Werfen Castle, aka Hohenwerfen Castle, was built near Salzburg Austria during the 11th century by wealthy archbishops to protect the city.Today can tour this beautiful fortress in the Salzachtal and visit the Museum of the weapons room and the room of a renovated Prince.[image source: hey trace ]]

Interesting data: the worlds largest glacial caves are nearby and also open to tourism but you will have to brave the cable car in Austria to reach them.


9. Edinburgh Castle


Picture of Castle Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle goes back to the 9th century BC although there is nothing of it since that period.Is now second Scotlands most visited place of attractions and presides over the city of Edinburgh from its location in the mountain in Castle Rock.El Castillo has seen much activity military in years and still houses a garrison of soldiers but mainly for ceremonial purposes.

Perhaps is most notable change of hands occurred in 1314 when Robert the Bruce hand took 30 men to capture of King Edward I de Inglaterra by climbing the precipice of North at night and its defenders capture unwary.Second was a success but Robert Bruce ordered his defences immediately destroyed to prevent capture more.[source of image: asifch ]]

10 Castle Matsumoto


Picture of Castle Matsumoto

Matsumoto Castle, also known as Fukashi Castle, is located within the city of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, and they date back to the period of the warring States around 1504.Matsumoto Castle is a short Tokyo trip and the 'crow Castle' is sometimes called by tourists due to its dark color and wing - like roof.I'm not a day in the history of the area, desire was, but if you are please share your historical information in a comment below.

Interesting data: in 1872 Matsumoto Castle was sold in an auction that made her vulnerable to being dismantled, but it was spared that fate and is now a national treasure of Japan.[image source: Kamoda ]]

Neuschwanstein Castle - one of the worlds most beautiful


Schloss Neuschwanstein is one of the most beautiful castles of worlds. Here we have more screenshots on the Neuschwanstein Castle...

1. Neuschwanstein Castle panoramic image


Neuschwanstein Castle

Castle Neuschwanstein (Schloss Neuschwanstein in German) is a Palace Bavaro in the 19th century near Füssen in Southwest Bavaria and was built by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a personal retreat.Now go to 1.3 million visitors per year.

In the photo of the beautiful panoramic castle above, created by joiseyshowaa, can get a sense of the castles strategic position on top of a mountain between cliffs with a view stretching for miles.Easily defendable es time.

2. Castle of Neuschwanstein seen from above


Neuschwanstein Castle from a cliff above

Jeff Wilcox took this incredible photo of Neuschwanstein Castle after hiking for over one hour and a half from castles doors.Begin to realize how immense castle of Neuschwanstein is when still looks great at this distance.

It would have been impossible to build battle rams in hopes of besieging the castle given its position, as you can see in this image.Equally impressive, and the reason the Castle appears as impressive, is that it was designed by a theatrical professional, Christian Jank and not an architectural expert.Eduard Riedel and later Georg Dollmann, contributed architectural knowledge required for construction in a dangerous place, but not at the expense of beauty and pure greatness.

3. Castle of Neuschwanstein Photocrom through the library of the Congress of the United States


Schloss Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein although it seems to be a wonderful medieval was built to include the premiere of his time technology and includes engines of steam, electricity, modern venting and tubes within its original structure.The castle itself pays homage to the German of Lohengrin, the Knight of the Swan, legends and was originally named new Hohenschwangau.Is not until after renaming 1886 death of King Ludwig II who was the Castle Schloss Neuschwanstein.

4. Inner Neuschwanstein Castle


Inside Neuschwanstein Castle

Says that photography is not allowed from within the Castle although there are many photos, as the precedent for glynnish.As the interior design of the castle can be seen in this photo of throne room is extremely rich, colorful and detailed on every square inch of its interior.

Design of Neuschwanstein means 'new Swan stone' and swans play an important part of the castles.Castle of sleeping beauty at Disneyland is also influenced by the Neuschwanstein Castle and the castle of Cinderella has been included in several movies and video games in years.

5. Neuschwanstein Castle is especially beautiful in winter


Neuschwanstein Castle in Winter Snow

Snow brings a fairy tale like beauty of the Castle as you can see in the stunning photograph taken by ingirogiro for all your beauty the story of castles includes some from mysteries unsolved.King Ludwig II became merely a vassal of his Prussian uncle, when Austria and Bavaria were conquered by the Prussian State expansion in 1866, during the war of German.1885 Ludwig II was in serious financial difficulties with foreign banks, and when he refused to act rationaly was declared insane.Rumored also removed him from his people.

'The Madwoman of Ludwig' he was interned in Berg Palace then, but a day later died in mysterious circumstances drowned in Lake Starnberg along with the same psychiatrist who had certified crazy.Foul play may be suspects in such circumstances, but the mystery was never and never publicly resolved.

6. The upper courtyard of Neuschwanstein (less subsistence)


Neuschwanstein Castle Courtyard

When Ludwig II died in 1886 his dream Castle, still was not complete.One of the unfinished sections can be found in the upper courtyard where he built a spectacular hold. Rita Willaert took this amazing image of the upper courtyard as it stands today and in the corner bottom left you can see part of what would have been the basis for the survival of the Center.

A keep is somewhat similar to a small castle in its own right and was used as final defense against invading armies must comply with the exterior walls.Only 7 weeks after the death of Ludwigs Castle opened its doors to tourists.

Information and images: popularwealth.com and mejoresdelmundo.com