Castles in Europe began to appear in connection with the development of feudalism. Powerful durable buildings protected the residents from constant attacks from neighbors and seizure of territory. Today, medieval European castles are historical monuments, witnesses of conquest and adventure, intrigue and betrayal, as well as nobility and honor.
The medieval castle of Blois in France is familiar to all fans of the adventure prose of Alexandre Dumas. This majestic and unapproachable dwelling has long been a favorite destination for royalty. An exquisite society of writers, artists, and poets often gathered here around kings and princes. It is believed that the luxurious openwork staircase was invented by Leonardo da Vinci. There are bloody pages in the history of this castle, because it was within its walls that the Duke de Guise and the Cardinal of Lorraine were killed.
Blois was finally abandoned by royalty in the 18th century. The buildings of the castle were divided into small rooms and given to the barracks. During the Revolution, it suffered from vandals and was seriously damaged, all the royal emblems were destroyed. In the middle of the 19th century, the castle was restored according to the plan of the architect Duban. The restoration was quite strong and subjected the building to a serious alteration, but it is in this form that it has survived to this day.
The Czech castle Pernštejn is still considered the most beautiful in Moravia, it is called the pearl of the local castle architecture. The building is well preserved, despite its great age. Pernštejn was erected at the end of the 13th century by order of Vilém I, a venerable nobleman and royal hofmaster. Then he was surrounded by a moat with water, which made it possible to provide additional protection with the help of only a small squad. For this reason, it was called an island, but today beautiful gardens are laid out around it.
Marienburg, a brick castle on an area of almost 20 hectares, is located in Poland. It is one of the main attractions of this country and a major tourist center. A small red brick building was originally erected on this site in the 13th century. Later it was rebuilt when the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order announced the castle as his residence. In the XIV century, the fortress became a crusader refuge, even more fortified and isolated. In the middle of the 15th century, it was conquered by the Poles, and in the middle of the 20th century it was carefully restored.
Hohensalzburg Castle in Austria is one of the few such buildings that has never been conquered. In the 16th century, it was besieged for 61 days, sheltering Prince Matthäus Lang from the rebellious townspeople within its walls, but never surrendered. During the Napoleonic Wars, it was handed over to the French army without a fight and turned into a barracks and a warehouse of weapons. At the beginning of the 20th century, the castle was a prison where Nazi criminals were kept. Today it is a popular tourist destination. Hohensalzburg has a military history museum and weapons collection, and a scenic cable car leads from Salzburg city center.
