The Nesvizh Castle has drawn sharp criticism due to the lengthy reconstruction projects that are still ongoing. This includes structures that have been long-demolished, such as a bell tower. However, the interior of the castle still looks pristine, with gold filigree on nearly every surface, and oodles of examples of beautiful furniture, art, and decorations.
One member of the Radziwill family was Caroline Bouvier, the younger sister of Jackie Kennedy. Due to this marriage, Caroline became a princess, which must have been nice to hold over Jackie’s head. But this castle hasn’t always been full of fun – in 1939, the Red Army expelled the Radziwill family and made the castle a sanatorium as the park fell into neglect.
One of Pop Culture's Favorite Castles
Thanks to its clifftop location, Orava Castle is also known as the Eagle's Nest. Getting all the way to this fortification requires climbing a steep, narrow iron staircase. However, the interior is warmly decorated and now includes a museum. Visit, and you'll find a Painting Gallery, the Weapon room, and collections of scientific, ethnographic, and archaeological importance.
Additionally, this castle has appeared in the 2020 TV adaptation of "Dracula", and it'd design inspired Kaer Morhen, the fortress for the Wolf School of witchers in the video game adaptation of "The Witcher" book series. Talk about a cultural footprint!
Nesvizh Castle – Niasviz, Belarus
Both the home of the Radziwill family and a World Heritage Site, the Nesvizh Castle can be found on a peninsula in the Usha River. Its walls were first formed in the late fifteen hundreds. This princely estate was built with a Baroque style, tall and grand.
This castle has been the site of numerous large-scale battles, including when King Charles XII sacked the castle and destroyed its fortifications. The most famous or important part of this residence is the Corpus Christi Church. The church houses the coffins of seventy-two members of the Radziwill family. It was the world's first domed basilica with a Baroque facade.
Rocca Scaligera Castle – Sirmione, Italy
Found on Lake Garda, Rocca Scaligera is one of Italy's best-preserved castles. It sees more than three hundred thousand visitors a year! The castle has been around since the thirteenth century and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. It features a notable wet dock, a fortified port built in the fourteenth century, stylistically unique ramparts, and crenelated towers.
The bright tan stone and clear, green waters of the lake under it turn this castle, along with the city accompanying it, into a beautiful scene for visitors and residents alike. As a castle on the water, this structure had to do a lot of things differently.
Arrive by Boat and Drift to the Front Door
The waters of Lake Garda creep into the thick walls of the castle – by design. The castle was built with numerous passageways that allow travel by boat while also keeping the castle defended. Due to this feature, it looks as if the lake is slowly swallowing the castle, giving it another moniker: the Sinking Castle.
Yet this structure has stood for hundreds of years and has defended the old town of Sirmione since its construction. The castle's name came from the original builders, who chose to decorate the buildings with symbolic and defensive design elements in order to make their status as the owners widely known.