Built on an island in the center of an Austrian lake known as Traunsee, it’s said that Ort Castle was built on the remains of an ancient Roman castle. The castle as we know it now was originally founded in 1080 by Hartnidus of Ort, and improvements continued to grow it up through the thirteenth century.
The castle is in the Renaissance style, though it has a unique design – most clearly seen thanks to the top of the central tower – that sets it apart from others of its kind. After decades of poor maintenance, the castle is now being used as a study center for the Federal Ministry for Land and Forestry.
Prague Castle – Prague, Czech Republic
While several castles on this list may have had their foundations laid long ago, few have older constructions than Prague Castle. Building this fortress began in approximately 870 A.D. It served as a house for Bohemia's kings and is still the home of the Czech Republic's president to this day.
It's even in the Guinness Book of World Records, as the largest coherent castle complex in the world – it occupies almost seventy thousand square meters. The structure is one of the most popular Prague tourist attractions, bringing in over 1.8 million visitors annually. Due to the age of the building, it doesn't stick to one certain style, but it's classified as Baroque and Mannerism.
A Town Just by Itself
With multiple churches, a monastery, numerous courtyards, halls, and more, it wouldn't be wrong to call Prague Castle its own town. Touring the castle allows you to see the Royal Palace which was rebuilt in the fourteenth century in the Gothic style by King Charles IV.
There is also the Golden Lane – which consists of small, bright houses – as well as both St. George's Basilica – a Romanesque basilica – and St. Vitus Cathedral. The cathedral is immense, and one of the most prominent examples of Gothic architecture in the country. It contains the tombs of many Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors.
A Smaller Castle for a Smaller Country
Many castles are nowadays big, culturally important places that brim with visitors, but not all of them. Ort Castle doesn't see as many tourists as some of the other examples on this list, but at least it's been used for the shooting location of the television show "Schlosshotel Orth".
It's also available to be used as an event center, such as weddings, concerts, and even business conferences. The castle features a dungeon with prison cells, a large Gothic terrace, numerous interior halls, and a beautiful chapel. Walking along the long wooden bridge to this island castle is an often-missed opportunity.
Predjama Castle – Predjama, Slovenia
This list has castles on top of mountains, on islands, on lakes, and on rivers, but Predjama Castle is built into the mouth of a cave. This Renaissance-style castle appears in writing as far back as the twelve hundreds, and it's one of the most famous attractions in Slovenia.
It has a substantial legacy as the largest “cave castle” in the world. The underground tunnels – used by plundering knights in the Middle Ages – add even more to this castle's history. As a balance, a natural vertical shaft was enlarged, which allowed for the castle to be secretly resupplied during times of siege.