Discover the Most Enchanted Castles Across the Globe

Are you one of the many people who dream of living in a castle? Perhaps you are currently envisioning yourself in a spire as your beloved declares love for you? Since the time Normans introduced castles to the world, they continue to enchant generation after generation with their ornate romanticized infrastructure. Castles remind us of a time when knights, royals, and horse-drawn carriages ruled the land. Although many of these majestic castles sit abandoned today crying out for some tender loving care, let’s journey back in time to some of the most iconic castles across the globe.

Bannerman Castle, United States

Previously known as Pollepel Island, you can see the Bannerman Castle along 13.4 acres of the Hudson River in New York. Although it is hard to believe in its current state, this castle was once owned by entrepreneur Francis Bannerman and was feared by locals for its rich ghost history.

Bannerman discovered the Island by accident and immediately bought it from a couple for $600. Having owned the entire Island, he started building the structure based on the castles he had seen while visiting European countries.

After the death of Bannerman, his family lost interest in maintaining the property. Subsequently used as a warehouse rather than a residence, there was minimal demand from buyers. Nature took its toll and in 2010, several walls began to collapse. Gradually the state of New York took possession of the Castle to ensure what remains of America’s 1900’s architectural brilliance is preserved.

Ballycarbery Castle, Ireland

Image by Caisleán Bhaile Chairbre via Ireland Highlights

Ballycarbery Castle is one of the most beautiful ruins overlooking the sea of Kerry, Ireland. Built in the 16th century, it was a seat of many prominent political figures including Sir Valentine Browne. In 1652, Cromwellians took over the property. Today this castle is barely recognizable with ivy covering the majority of its structure. There are no signs leading tourists to explore the castle, nor are there currently any private tours for it. It turns out this is because someone privately purchased the entire Island and visitors need special permission to see it.

Havre Castle, Belgium

Image by Corina Mitrescu via Photocory

In the village of Havre, Belgium, the magnificent Havre Castle was built in the 12th century by the Enghien family. The rectangular ground plan is what makes this castle stand out from its ‘competitors.’ Locally known as Château d’Havré, it is one of the most popular castles in Belgium and is open to visitors. For many centuries it was abandoned but local authorities restored it in the last decade after understanding its historical value.

Fun fact: Belgium is known for its magical castles and many are on sale through trusted realtor sites such as Castleist. Are you ready to make your next move?

Poenari Castle, Romania

Image from Rolandia

If you want to visit the Poenari Castle, get ready to climb 1500 steep steps on Fagarus Mountain in Wallachia, Romania. Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with the most breathtaking view of your lifetime. Built in the 13th Century, this castle was the home of Romanian king Vlad III Dracula, aka Vlad the ‘Impaler.’ After the king’s death, the castle turned to ruins, further harmed by natural landslide disasters. King Vlad was infamous for his cruelty, which inspired Bram Stoker to write one of the world’s best-known horror stories ‘Dracula.’

To understand why Bram Stoker was so influenced by Poenari Castle, check out what it looked like in its prime:

Image from Rolandia

Are you inspired by the spires? When planning your next vacation, consider taking a castle tour, or staying at a rehabilitated castle resort! Castles deserve a fresh start, no matter how old or decayed. Letting castles crumble to the point of no return is one of the biggest mistakes we could make. When we disregard these historic novelties, we loose their deep-rooted history that we can never get back. By repurposing castles, we can maintain their historical significance while creating a wealth of opportunity in our modern society. Castles not only attract those with a vivid imagination but anyone who has the mission of preserving and restoring their valuable history.