|
Castles of the XIVth century |
|
|
|
|
|
Over 700 years of Scottish history awaits the visitor to Blair Castle.
Today, 32 rooms of infinite variety display beautiful furniture, fine paintings, arms and armour, china, costumes, lace and embroidery, masonic regalia, Jacobite relics and other unique treasures.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolton Castle is a spectacular fortress in Wensleydale, the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
It was buit in 1399 by Richard le Scrope, Lord Chancellor of England, 1st Lord Scrope of Bolton, it remains in private ownership with his descendant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An impressive ruin, Castle Tioram sits on a tidal island in Loch Moidart.
The former seat of the MacDonalds of Clan Ranald, Castle Tioram was torched during the Jacobite Rising of 1715 to keep it out of the hands of the Hanoverian forces. It has been unoccupied since that time.
The curtain wall dates from the 13th century. The tower and other interior buildings are 14th to 16th century construction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vianden Castle was constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries on the foundations of a Roman 'castellum' and a Carolingian refuge. It is one of the largest and most beautiful feudal residences of the romanesque and gothic periods in Europe.
The main construction parts of the castle which are preserved today, in particular the chapel and the small and large palaces, originate from the end of the 12th and the first half of the 13th century. Since restored to its former glory, the castle now ranks as a monument of not only regional, but European importance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 14th century keep with it's massive walls, forbidding dungeons and spiral stone staircases with the refurbished Great Hall, containing leaded windows, painted ceilings and displays of period regalia is regarded as the finest example of its date in south Scotland.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Almost every view of Drum gives a different castle - four for the price of one. Because of its distinct development - a medieval tower, a Jacobean mansion and the exuberance of the Victorians the character of Drum changes as you move around the outside. Drum Castle has been lived in continuously from at least 1323 to the present day. For over 650 of those years it was occupied by the Irvine family and it is their name which is synonymous with Drum.
The castle is many things to many people - architecture, history, furniture, entertainment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland's great houses and is certainly one of the most majestic. It is the largest house in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms, and is one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses, dating in part from the early 1300s.
The history of the castle is quite fascinating and has seen the architectural influences of Sir Charles Barry and latterly Sir Robert Lorimer. The castle has been used as a naval hospital during the First World War and from 1965 to 1972 as a boys' school. The museum includingc collections of furniture, paintings and memorabilia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is a large quadrangular house with a central courtyard. Each section has a different appearance, reflecting the different architectural styles that have been employed here since building began in the 13th century.
Once inside you can see the collection of paintings, furniture, tapestries and objects d’art that fill the state rooms. Thrones and furnishings from the House of Lords are some of the more unusual items on view.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The most photogenic and the most popular castle in the Prague neighborhood is located 28 km south-west of the city. Karlstejn was founded by Charles IV in 1348, remodeled in the 19th century.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ludlow castle is 900 years old and features examples of architecture from the Norman, Medieval and Tudor periods.
The castle was first built at the end of the eleventh century, but from the start of the fourteenth century was gradually converted into a palace. Work continued on it into the Elizabethan period. Between the rivers Teme and Corve, Ludlow commanded a good defensive position
For some time the castle was a royal residence, and from the reign of Henry VIII. to that of William III. it was the seat of the council of the marches
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Built over 600 years ago, Powderham Castle is the historic home of the Earl of Devon. The Castle is still lived in by the Courtenay family and is one of England's best known Stately Homes.
The Castle lies in a beautiful setting in an ancient deer park alongside the River Exe and is at the centre of a large traditional estate of about 4,000 acres.
Above all Powderham has a unique atmosphere, combining beauty, tranquility and history, which those who visit the Castle, for whatever reason, will remember for a long time afterwards, and sometimes for the rest of their lives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The pictoresque and wildly romantic castle owned by the family of Count and Countess Beissel von Gymnich whose ancient lineage can be traced back to the 9th century, Carolingian dynasty of Charlemagne. This castle dates back to 1396 and exudes an aura of those mystic and chivalrous times with its turrets and banners and rose-embanked moat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Built originally around 1350 as a fortress for the Red Douglas branch of that famous family when their star was in the ascendency after Scotland's 13th century Wars of Independence, Tantallon's impregnable defences dominated all highway traffic between Scotland and England for three hundred years. It was a pivot for both border intrigues and stout defences of the realm against the invading English. Besieged by James IV in 1491, and again by James V in 1528, it was occupied during Henry VIII's "rough wooing" in 1544 and finally ruined by Cromwell and his new-fangled siege artillery in 1651.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
