<strong>Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany:</strong> This fairytale castle in Bavaria has made several movie appearances.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany: This fairytale castle in Bavaria has made several movie appearances.
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<strong>Alcázar of Segovia, Spain:</strong> Segovia Castle was once the home of Queen Isabella and powerful Phillip II before the royal court was moved to Madrid.
Alcázar of Segovia, Spain: Segovia Castle was once the home of Queen Isabella and powerful Phillip II before the royal court was moved to Madrid.
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<strong>Himeji Castle, Japan:</strong> Completed in the early 17th century, Himeji is now a World Heritage Site.
Himeji Castle, Japan: Completed in the early 17th century, Himeji is now a World Heritage Site.
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<strong>Castillo de Chapultepec, Mexico: </strong>This former regal summer house is now Mexico's National Museum of History.
Castillo de Chapultepec, Mexico: This former regal summer house is now Mexico's National Museum of History.
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<strong>Krak des Chevaliers, Syria:</strong> Created in the 12th century by the Knights of St. John, the Krak is considered the epitome of a crusader castle in the Middle East.
Krak des Chevaliers, Syria: Created in the 12th century by the Knights of St. John, the Krak is considered the epitome of a crusader castle in the Middle East.
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<strong>Chambord Castle, France: </strong>Built in the 16th century, Chambord's double helix staircase is said to have been inspired by Leonardo da Vinci.
Chambord Castle, France: Built in the 16th century, Chambord's double helix staircase is said to have been inspired by Leonardo da Vinci.
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<strong>Edinburgh Castle, Scotland: </strong>Britain's oldest crown jewels (the Honours of Scotland) are safeguarded inside this fortress, which looms over Scotland's capital city.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland: Britain's oldest crown jewels (the Honours of Scotland) are safeguarded inside this fortress, which looms over Scotland's capital city.
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<strong>Topkapi Palace, Istanbul: </strong>Once home to Ottoman sultans, this sprawling palace overlooking the Bosphorus is now home to an impressive museum.
Topkapi Palace, Istanbul: Once home to Ottoman sultans, this sprawling palace overlooking the Bosphorus is now home to an impressive museum.
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<strong>Predjama Castle, Slovenia: </strong>Built into the mouth of a cliffside cave, this Slovenian fortress was virtually impregnable when it was constructed in the 13th century.
Predjama Castle, Slovenia: Built into the mouth of a cliffside cave, this Slovenian fortress was virtually impregnable when it was constructed in the 13th century.
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<strong>Novgorod Detinets, Russia: </strong>Located 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of St. Petersburg, Novgorod was the seat of a powerful Russian republic from the 11th to 15th century.
Novgorod Detinets, Russia: Located 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of St. Petersburg, Novgorod was the seat of a powerful Russian republic from the 11th to 15th century.
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<strong>Pena Palace, Portugal:</strong> This vibrantly colored Pena Palace was commissioned by King Ferdinand II.
Pena Palace, Portugal: This vibrantly colored Pena Palace was commissioned by King Ferdinand II.
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<strong>Castello Aragonese, Italy: </strong> This fortress overlooking the Bay of Naples has been occupied by Roman legionnaires and Napoleon's troops over the years.
Castello Aragonese, Italy: This fortress overlooking the Bay of Naples has been occupied by Roman legionnaires and Napoleon's troops over the years.
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<strong>Schloss Vianden, Luxembourg: </strong>Built on the site of an ancient Roman fortress, this castle poised high above the Our River was constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries.
Schloss Vianden, Luxembourg: Built on the site of an ancient Roman fortress, this castle poised high above the Our River was constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries.
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<strong>Amber Fortress, India: </strong>This beautiful structure crowns a hilltop over the city of Jaipur.
Amber Fortress, India: This beautiful structure crowns a hilltop over the city of Jaipur.
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<strong>Bodiam Castle, England: </strong>This classic medieval castle has thick, crenelated walls supported by nine stubby towers -- all surrounded by a moat.
Bodiam Castle, England: This classic medieval castle has thick, crenelated walls supported by nine stubby towers — all surrounded by a moat.
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<strong>Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, Greece: </strong>This former Byzantine citadel now has a permanent archeological exhibition with relics from ancient Greece and the early Christian period.
Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, Greece: This former Byzantine citadel now has a permanent archeological exhibition with relics from ancient Greece and the early Christian period.
Raimund Franken/imageBROKER/Shutterstock
<strong>Shuri-jô Castle, Okinawa:</strong> Shuri is a warren of imperial living quarters, audience halls, religious shrines and an extravagant throne room reminiscent of the Forbidden City in Beijing.<br />
Shuri-jô Castle, Okinawa: Shuri is a warren of imperial living quarters, audience halls, religious shrines and an extravagant throne room reminiscent of the Forbidden City in Beijing.
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<strong>Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, Morocco:</strong> This massive mudbrick structure features a fortified lower town, where people still live, and a partially ruined hilltop citadel.
Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, Morocco: This massive mudbrick structure features a fortified lower town, where people still live, and a partially ruined hilltop citadel.
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<strong>Kalmar Castle, Sweden: </strong>This royal residence began life as a defensive tower in the 12th century.
Kalmar Castle, Sweden: This royal residence began life as a defensive tower in the 12th century.
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<strong>Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Puerto Rico: </strong>This castle has repelled numerous attacks including several assaults by French pirates and a 1595 strike by Sir Francis Drake.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Puerto Rico: This castle has repelled numerous attacks including several assaults by French pirates and a 1595 strike by Sir Francis Drake.
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<strong>Prague Castle, Czech Republic: </strong>This spacious castle is the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic.
Prague Castle, Czech Republic: This spacious castle is the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic.
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