CastleXPlorer

The Alcázar of Segovia or Segovia Castle is a medieval castle-palace located in the old city of Segovia, central Spain, on the Eresma River. The Alcázar of Segovia was originally built as a fortress but it was later used also as a royal palace, state prison, Royal Artillery College and military academy. On of the most distinctive Spanish castle-palaces was first mentioned in 1120 as the Alcázar (an Arabic word for a fortress or palace) but the archaeological evidence prove its earlier existence.

The Bellver Castle is a circular form medieval castle located on a hill looking over Palma de Mallorca on the Island of Majorca, Balearic Islands. The construction of the Bellver Castle was ordered by King James II of Mallorca in the beginning of 14th century both as military fortress and a unique Gothic style palace among the Spanish castles.

Bellver Castle

The Château de Langeais is one of the finest examples of late medieval architecture and one of the oldest castles in the Loire Valley in west-central France. The Château de Langeais was originally built as a fortress in 10th century by Foulques Nerra of Anjou. In the 11th century was the Château de Langeais along with the rest of Touraine captured by the Platagenets and later held by their descendants who became the Kings of England.

The Château de Pierrefonds or Castle of Pierrefonds is a fortified medieval castle located near the city of Compiegne north of Paris, France. The Castle of Pierrefonds was built in the 12th century as part of the county of Valois but in 1392 was the county turned into a Duchy and the castle was given to Louis D'Orléans, brother of King Charles VI. At the end of 14th and beginning of the 15th century was the castle rebuilt by architect Jean le Noir.

Loarre Castle, Spain

Akershus castle in Oslo, Norway

The Akershus Castle is a medieval castle located in Oslo, Norway. The castle was built by King Håkon V in the 1290's as a fortress to protect the city of Oslo. After the devastating fire in 1624 was the castle in 1648 completely rebuilt in the Renaissance style by King Christian IV.

The Alnwick Castle is a medieval castle located along the River Aln in Alnwick, Northumberland in England. The castle was first built in 1096 by Yves de Vescy, Baron of Alnwick defend the England's border against the Scottish invasion. In 1309 was the Alnwick Castle bought by Henry de Percy, 1st Baron Percy who restored the castle and modified its structure.

Alnwick castle in England

The Arundel Castle is a medieval castle located above the River Arun in West Sussex, England. The castle was built in the 1070's by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel and a loyal Baron of William the Conqueror. After death of Roger de Montgomery the Arundel Castle passed to the crown but Henry I left it in his will to his second wife Adeliza of Louvain.

Bamburgh Castle in England

Beaumaris Castle in Wales

The Bedzin Castle is a medieval castle located in the village of Bedzin in southern Poland. The castle was built in the 14th century by Casimir the Great on the site of an earlier wooden fortress which was constructed in the 11th century. The Bedzin Castle was used as a military outpost but in 16th century it fell into a disrepair.


Bedzin - Polish Castle

The Beeston Castle is a medieval castle located on a 500 foot high cliff of red sandstone in Beeston, Cheshire, England. The construction of the castle began in 1225 by Ranulph de Blondeville, 4th Earl of Chester on his return from the Crusades but he died in 1232 before the construction was completed.



Medieval English castle Beeston

Old picture of Berkeley Castle in England

Bezděz Castle in Czech Republic

The Bezděz Castle is a medieval castle located on the phonolite hill of Velký Bezděz about 20 kilometres southeast of Ceská Lípa, Czech Republic. The castle was built by Přemysl Otakar II between 1264 and 1278. After passing through hands of several owners the castle came into the possession of Albrecht of Vallenstein in the 1620's who renovated it and later turned it into a monastery.

Medieval Castle in Bled, Slovenia

The Bled Castle is a medieval castle located on the edge of a rock above the Bled Lake in Slovenia. The castle was probably built in the late 10th or early 11th century and was first mentioned in 1011 as castellum Veldes when Holy Roman Emperor Henry II donated it to Bishop of Bixen, Adalberon.

Bodiam Castle in England

The Bodiam Castle is a quadrangular medieval castle located beside the River Rother in East Sussex, England. The Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalygrigge as a protection from the French invasion which endangered England at the end of 14th century. The castle remained in the Dalygrigge family until 1483 when it passed to Sir Thomas Lewknor by marriage.

Bojnice Medieval Castle in Slovakia photo

Greek Medieval Castle Bourtzi

Medieval Romanian Castle called Bran or Dracula's Castle

The Bran Castle or commonly known as the Dracula's Castle is a medieval castle located near Bran in the Carpathian Mountains, Transylvania, Romania. The castle became famous for being allegedly used by Bram Stoker as his model for the Dracula's Castle although Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Dracula) never lived in the Bran Castle as it is today widely believed.

The Buda Castle is a medieval castle located on the southern tip of Castle Hill in Budapest, Hungary. The castle's history dates back to the middle of 13th century when King Béla IV of Hungary built the first royal residence on the Castle Hill but the oldest part of the present-day castle dates from the 14th century. The 14th century structure built by Prince Stephen, Duke of Slavonia was greatly enlarged and rebuilt between 1410 and 1420 by Sigismund Luxemburg of Hungary and later Holy Roman Emperor.