At more than seven hundred years old, the Orava Castle is an example of a castle sitting atop a prime defensive position, on a rock in a valley. The Orava Castle, named for the river it overlooks, is often considered one of the most beautiful castles in this country that has more than a few to offer.
Hugging the shape of the 520-meter spur of rock it occupies, this castle was first built in the Romanesque and Gothic styles. However, it has been updated to a Renaissance and Neo-Gothic look later on. It’s possible you’ve seen a movie that featured this castle – the 1922 film “Nosferatu” used it as Count Orlok’s Transylvanian castle.
Hochosterwitz Castle – Sankt Georgen, Austria
Rising more than five hundred feet around the countryside and built on a large dolomite rock, Hochosterwitz Castle dates back to medieval times. It is a major tourist attraction and one of the Austrian state's biggest landmarks. The castle is said to have been built circa 860 A.D. by the Osterwitz dynasty.
There's a long pathway up to the castle itself, which features fourteen fortified gates. The castle has been the same for hundreds of years. It remains in the possession of the Khevenhüller family, as requested by George Khevenhüller, the original builder. Some sections of the castle are open to the public.
The Interior Armory
What clusters and fills the halls of Hochosterwitz Castle, you might ask? Nothing less than a huge armory of weapons left by Napoleon himself. Part of this armory is an astounding set of armor that tops eight feet tall. It was worn by someone named Burghauptmann Schenk, who may or may not have been the inspiration for Gregor Clegane from "Game of Thrones".
The castle also boasts prehistoric artifacts, paintings, and detailed interior set pieces that recreate the immense history of this building. From knights praying at altars to old-world walls, there is a lot to see and take in here.
One of Pop Culture's Favorite Castles
Thanks to its clifftop location, Orava Castle is also known as the Eagle's Nest. Getting all the way to this fortification requires climbing a steep, narrow iron staircase. However, the interior is warmly decorated and now includes a museum. Visit, and you'll find a Painting Gallery, the Weapon room, and collections of scientific, ethnographic, and archaeological importance.
Additionally, this castle has appeared in the 2020 TV adaptation of "Dracula", and it'd design inspired Kaer Morhen, the fortress for the Wolf School of witchers in the video game adaptation of "The Witcher" book series. Talk about a cultural footprint!
Nesvizh Castle – Niasviz, Belarus
Both the home of the Radziwill family and a World Heritage Site, the Nesvizh Castle can be found on a peninsula in the Usha River. Its walls were first formed in the late fifteen hundreds. This princely estate was built with a Baroque style, tall and grand.
This castle has been the site of numerous large-scale battles, including when King Charles XII sacked the castle and destroyed its fortifications. The most famous or important part of this residence is the Corpus Christi Church. The church houses the coffins of seventy-two members of the Radziwill family. It was the world's first domed basilica with a Baroque facade.