European tour of castles.

[:) Smiley]

speaking of fake castles:

Dalian, China

[:) Smiley]

wait till you see the front door of this thing

[Heresson]

Swietokrzyskie region, C Poland (I guess)

Krzyztopor (the cross and the axe)
Was built 1621-1644 by K. Ossoliński.
Was destroyed somewhere during the war 1655-1660 by Swedes.
It was one of the biggest and most luxurious residences in Europe.

[Gangerolf]

Swedes

They tried to take this castle as well. Spilberk (Spielberg) in Brno (Brünn), Czech Republic. A real live Swedish joke.

The cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is the most noticeable landmark [...] Listen for the bells! The bells strike 12 at 11 o'clock. This is a reminder of the siege of Brno in 1645 by the Swedes. Having spent months attempting to break Brno, the Swedes decided on one last assault, but would retreat at twelve if the city had not been taken. The city discovered this and as the Swedes began to break through the city commander ordered the bells ring 12 (this was at 11). On hearing the noon struck the Swedes retreated and the city was saved

.

[Gangerolf]

When they tried to take this one, Fredriksten in Halden, Norway, their king Karl XII got shot in the head (most likely by his own men).

[Gangerolf]

Two years earlier, in 1716, the same guy tried to take Akershus castle in Christiania (Oslo). He failed of course, but did a good job in burning down the surrounding countryside.

Karl XII is a fascinating character btw, I just finished his biography you see.





Built in the 13th century, it's AFAIK the oldest building in the city still standing.

[Wernazuma III]

The Riegersburg - unvincible fortress against the Otoman hordes.

[Heresson]

Very nice.

That reminded me of Kamieniec Podolski, the most important Polish castle over Turkish border. Nowdays it's W Ukraine, I don't know it's political region, but historically it's Podole - Podolia.
The castle originates from XIII century, was enlarged in XV century

[molly bloom]

Righty-ho- Mai Dun, or Maiden Castle, a Celtic Iron Age hill fort, scene of an epic battle with the Romans, and where at least one casualty- judging from his skeletal remains- suffered death at the hands of a ballista bolt.

http://www.historic-uk.com/DestinationsUK/MaidenCastle.htm

Covering an area of some 47 acres, Maiden Castle is the largest hill fort in Britain and lies 2 miles south of Dorchester in the county of Dorset. The dimensions of the fort are truly immense, and must have presented a formidable obstacle to any attacking force. Even today, after 2000 years of erosion, the ramparts in some areas rise to a height of 20ft (6m). Flint tools and bone implements found at the site suggest that the hill was first occupied c3000BC when it would have afforded protection to late Stone Age/early Bronze Age people. At some stage during this early period of occupation a Bank Barrow was constructed, east to west across the site, reaching a length of 1800ft (546m). Around 1200BC the site appears to have been abandoned, but the reason remains a mystery.

It was known to have been the stronghold of the Durotriges tribe, until it fell to the 2nd Legion Augusta, under Vespasian, during the Roman invasion in AD43. The battle for the fort was a bloody one, and centered on the eastern entrance. Excavations carried out in the 20th century uncovered the bodies of 38 Iron Age warriors, who had been laid to rest by their Roman victors, along with food and drink for their journey into the after life.

[molly bloom]

Something a little closer in time- Dunnottar Castle, in Grampian in Aberdeenshire.

An early castle on this rocky outcropping was captured by Wallace from the English in 1296, one story relating that he burned 4000 Englishmen during the siege. Edward III took the castle in 1330s although it was quickly recaptured by Moray. Dunnottar has a long and exciting history.

The Keiths acquired the property in 1382, exchanging Struthers in Fife for it. The first structure here was an earthwork and clay castle of the 12th century. Nothing remains of this earliest fort. By the beginning of the 16th century, it was one of the most formidable fortresses in Scotland.

Dunnottar was besieged by Montrose in 1645, and again in 1651 by Cromwell. The castle was held for William and Mary in 1689, but the Earl Marischal threw in with the Stewarts during the first Rising in 1715 and it was forfeited. The Duke of Argyll partially destroyed the castle in 1716, and it was more fully slighted in 1718.

http://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/resistg8/maps1/images/d/dunnottar.htm

Cromwell's Parliamentary forces succeeded in their siege by utilising mortar-fire. It was the last Scottish stronghold to fall, and it stands on the ruins of a Pictish promontory fort.

[molly bloom]

From the other end of the United Kingdom, but another old Celtic realm, Cornwall, and the round shell-keep of Restormel, whose name alone was enough to enchant me when I was younger:

Restormel Castle is a Norman stone ringwork and bailey fortress, founded by Robert, Count of Mortain. The huge circular shell keep with its complete range of internal buildings, is encased by a deep ditch and was the home to Edward, the Black Prince.

http://www.cornwall-online.co.uk/english-heritage/restormel.htm

[molly bloom]

Now for the U.K.'s only remaining fortified bridge (not strictly a castle, but it does have machicolations)over the Monnow, leading into Monmouth, in Wales:

Monnow Bridge is the sole remaining mediaeval fortified river bridge in Britain where the gate tower stands actually on the bridge. The gatehouse atop Monnow Bridge, Monnow Gate, was not an original feature of the bridge. It formed part of new town defences begun at the beginning of the 14th century. Henry of Lancaster, the King's nephew, petitioned Edward I to issue a murage grant in favour of Monmouth. The king assented. It is following this 1297 grant that the Monmouth authorities were able to gather the wherewithal to build the mediaeval town walls and gates. Evidently the project at Monmouth was incomplete by 1315, or repairs were needed, since the authority of 1297 was renewed on 1 June 1315.

http://www.castlewales.com/monnow.html

[Heresson]

Two first pics are awesome

I recalled about this thing.
It's not as much a castle as a fortified settlements from Late bronze/Early iron age, of Lusatian culture. It was misteriously abandoned, after which swamps covered it. Thanks to it, it was nicely preserved, and in XX century partially reconstructed. Not very impressing, but I think it's cool.

[Dry]

Originally posted by duke o' york
Je reste ma valise monsieur.

I prefer:
Je repose ma valise, monsieur.
but probably people wouldn't have identify/understand.

[:) Smiley]

And to think that today all that is built are ugly bunkers.