With foundations dating back to the early twelve hundreds A.D., the Heidelberg Castle has gone through multiple iterations as wars, destruction, and demolitions have seen it continually change. The ruins have been partially restored, and the remains of this part-Gothic, part-Renaissance castle draw in over a million visitors a year.
The castle is first mentioned in writing in 1225 (as “castrum”). Famous residents include Frederick V, Elector Palatine, Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine, and several others. We know you’re wondering: “Elector Palatine” was the ruler of a region under the Holy Roman Empire, sort of like a Governor of a state.
De Haar Castle – Utrecht, Netherlands
As the largest castle in Holland, De Haar Castle lies just outside of Amsterdam. Constructed in the late 1800s, it's reminiscent of fairytale castles. Art-filled halls and sprawling gardens are always open to visitors.
The current structure is relatively new, compared to some other entries on this list. However, the oldest records of a building on the spot come from 1391, when the De Haar family received the lands from Hendrik van Woerden. Ownership passed through plenty of hands and families until it landed at the doorstep of Jean-Jacques van Zuylen van Nyevelt. Jean-Jacques's grandson set about restoring the castle, which had fallen under the ruin of time.
The Tourist Spot of the Rich and Famous
Jean-Jacques's grandson was married to a member of the Rothschild family, and with the help of their finances, they set about doing right by the old building. The interior's now rich, ornamented woodcarving is reminiscent of the interior of a Roman Catholic church. The same carver even designed the tableware.
There are lots of pieces of art from Japan and China, including classic pieces of porcelain. The centerpiece is a carrier coach of the wife of a Japanese Shogun, reportedly one of only two in the world. Many visitors take the opportunity to tour, but Japanese tourists, in particular, are interested in the carrier coach.
Still Intact Despite the Ruins
The castle is in ruins (on purpose), but there are still several structures that are intact enough to visit and take in. These include the Ottoheinrich Building, which is a large section of the castle, as well as the gardens, the palace, and the “Barrel Building”. The latter housed the castle's large wine and spirits collection and has seen the different residents host huge blowout parties.
This location has been a tourist destination for hundreds of years. Descriptions from 1465 mention that the city (meaning the castle) is “frequented by strangers.” Of course, tourism wasn't a big industry then, but in the nineteenth century, the place became a major tourist attraction.
Glamis Castle – Angus, Scotland
Glamis Castle, in the home of the Lyon family and the current Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, has been around since the thirteen hundreds. If you're imagining the famous Shakespeare play Macbeth within its walls, then you're doing the exact same thing that Shakespeare did.
It was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (wife of King George VI). Their second daughter, the sister of the current Queen of England, was born there. With walls that are a meter thick, it's ready to withstand any and all attacks – and due to the tumultuous war history of Scotland and England, it had its work cut out for it.