Left untouched for centuries, these ancient castles across the globe still captivate visitors with their enchanting beauty. If you have a chance, visit these iconic landmarks to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the past, leaving you marveling at their abandoned yet mystifying states.
1. Château Gaillard, Normandy, France: Built in the 12th century by Richard I of England, this castle stands on the Seine River. It was abandoned in the 16th century and remains uninhabited to this day.
2. Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland: One of Scotland’s most picturesque castles, it’s perched romantically above the North Sea. This site was visited by William Wallace and Mary, Queen of Scots.
3. Spiš Castle, Košice, Slovakia: Constructed in Gothic and Romanesque styles, this is one of Europe’s largest castles. A fire in the 1700s left it in ruins, but today it’s among Slovakia’s top tourist destinations.
4. Ballycarbery Castle, County Kerry, Ireland: Located on the Atlantic coastline, this 16th-century stone fortress remains a popular attraction for travelers worldwide.
5. Château de Saint-Ulrich, Haut-Rhin, France: Overlooking the town of Ribeauvillé, this is one of three fortresses in the area. It was abandoned in the 16th century following a 30-year-long war.
6. Fort de Malamot, Savoy, France: Built in 1889 as a military fortress by Italians, it sits at an elevation of 2,850 meters. Due to its altitude, the fortress is inaccessible for most of the year.
7. Rocca Calascio, Abruzzo, Italy: The highest stronghold in Abruzzo, constructed in the 10th century. It never saw battle but was damaged by an earthquake in the 15th century.
8. Altenstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany: The rulers of Stein zu Altenstein resided here from the 13th century until a new palace was built in the 18th century.
9. Mortella Tower, Corsica, France: Built to defend against North African pirates, this fortress was destroyed by British forces in 1796. Its remains still stand today.
10. Crac des Chevaliers, Syria: One of the most well-preserved medieval castles, it was constructed by the Hospitaller Knights. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
11. Château d’Alleuze, Cantal, Auvergne, France: Destroyed in 1405, it was later rebuilt but has since fallen into abandonment.
12. Loarre Castle, Aragon, Spain: Built in the 11th century, it remains well-preserved and served as a filming location for the movie Kingdom of Heaven.
13. Olsztyn Castle, Silesia, Poland: Built on limestone hills by Casimir the Great, this structure was abandoned after a Swedish invasion in 1655.
14. Carew Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales: Constructed in 1270, it played a role in the English Civil War but was abandoned in the 17th century.
15. Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Scotland: Built by Colin Campbell, the 1st Duke of Glenorchy, it was struck by lightning in 1760 but remains a popular tourist site today.
16. Golconda Fort, Hyderabad, India: Built in the 16th century under the Qutb Shahi dynasty, it once housed the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond.
17. Minard Castle, Ireland: Destroyed by cannon fire and explosives in the 16th century, this castle overlooks the sea and is a prime tourist attraction today.
18. Fort San Lorenzo, Colón, Panama: This UNESCO World Heritage site was built by the Spanish to guard against pirates but was abandoned in the 18th century.
19. Dunluce Castle, Northern Ireland: With a tumultuous history, it was left deserted after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
20. Fort Mahon, Ambleteuse, France: Constructed in the 1680s to protect the Slack River, it was occupied by German forces during World War II.
21. Krzyżtopór Castle, Świętokrzyskie Province, Poland: Built in the 17th century by Krzysztof Ossoliński, it was destroyed by Swedish forces and abandoned in 1787.
These are just a few examples of the many abandoned castles worldwide. If you know of others, feel free to share them with us!
