The Forbidden City, China

The Forbidden City, China
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This giant, walled palace in Beijing was constructed by the Chinese emperor for 14 years, starting in 1406. He even had to have a canal rebuilt in order to use it to transport all the necessary materials. The complex was called ‘forbidden’ because the innermost area was solely for the emperor and his family – no one else was allowed; other parts of it, however, were used for official business. The colourful red and yellow buildings were richly decorated and surrounded by a wall and moat. According to legend, soon after completion, three of the buildings were struck by lightning, striking fear in the emperor. But the Forbidden City survived through 500 years and 24 emperors, and it is now a museum.

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Citadel of Carcassonne, France

Citadel of Carcassonne, France
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One of the best remaining examples of a medieval fortified town in Europe, Carcassone in southern France is more of a city than a castle – and, in fact, it is called La Cité de Carcassonne. Looking like something out of Game of Thrones, the site was occupied since before Roman times but expanded in the medieval period, around the 12th century. The castle (or ‘chateau’) inside the city sits within two sets of walls containing 53 towers. Presided over first by the Counts of Carcassonne, it became a royal fortress in the 13th century. The crumbling citadel was another Victorian restoration project that saved an important example of medieval architecture.

Visit the Game of Thrones shoot locations, you may recognise the castles.

Almourol Castle, Portugal

Almourol Castle, Portugal
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Called the most beautiful castle in central Portugal, Almourol Castle was conquered by the Knights Templar as part of the Christian ‘Reconquest’ from the Moors. We know it was reconstructed after the group took it over in 1171, the date inscribed on the castle door. Spectacularly situated in the middle of the Tagus River, it can be reached only by boat. The castle, with its nine circular defensive towers, maintained an important position on the river throughout the Middle Ages, but it eventually fell into disrepair. Reconstructed in the 19th century, Almourol seemed to embody all the romanticism of the medieval period. Even today, surrounded only by small towns and villages, Almourol seems like something out of the past.

Chateau de Sully-sur-Loire, France

Chateau de Sully-sur-Loire, France
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This romantic French castle seems to float on water. Although many of the chateaus in the Loire River Valley date from the later Renaissance period, Chateau de Sully-sur-Loire is actually medieval. The castle keep was built by the Lord of Sully in 1395, as a defence of the river but also so he could hold elaborate parties. Originally connected to the mainland with drawbridges, this medieval castle has a storied past: Joan of Arc even stayed here to visit with the French King Charles VII. Although it has undergone modifications over the years and was damaged in World War II, the castle has been restored to all its medieval glory.

Cairo Citadel, Egypt

Cairo Citadel, Egypt

Also called the Citadel of Saladin or Salah El-Din, this medieval fortress of towers and walls was built in the 12th century by Saladin, the sultan of Egypt, as a defence against religious soldiers from Europe called Crusaders. While the site was known for its cool breezes, Saladin reportedly wanted to make sure it was as good as everyone said before building his castle. One legend says he hung up raw meat all around Cairo, but the only place it didn’t spoil within a day was the future site of the Citadel. Although he died before it was completed, subsequent leaders of Egypt ruled from the complex for more than 800 years. During its history, the citadel was added to, and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha is now the most eye-catching aspect of the structure.

Alnwick Castle, England

Alnwick Castle, England
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When Hollywood decides to use a fairy-tale-like castle to represent a school for witches and wizards, you know it has to have some real-life magic, too. Alnwick Castle was featured as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films; it was also used in Downton Abbey. The present castle was built in the mid-1300s by the lords and earls of the Percy family, who turned it into a stronghold with towers, a curtain wall, gates, and battlements complete with stone figures to confuse attackers. Restored in the 18th century, the castle is now home to the 12th Duke and his family, and also hosts a study-abroad program for American students – so maybe it has even more in common with Hogwarts than we thought.

Monastir's Ribat, Tunisia

Monastir's Ribat, Tunisia
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This Islamic defensive structure looks like it’s always been there – and it practically has. First built in 797, many of the current buildings of Monsatir’s Ribat  date from the eighth to tenth centuries, with the tall towers built centuries later. But the ribat was not just for military purposes or keeping watch for invaders; it also contained prayer rooms for the religious communities, students, and scholars who lived at and visited the fort. The towers were used as lookouts, of course, but also for signalling from one ribat to another. It wasn’t an easy job to get up there, though, as the spiral staircase has 100 steps.

Tunisia is one location used to film Star Wars, here are some mind-blowing facts that make watching Star Wars even better.

Glamis Castle, Scotland

Glamis Castle, Scotland
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Several of Scotland’s best medieval castles, such as Eilean Donan and Duart castles, are actually relatively recent reconstructions of original buildings that were completely in ruins. In striving for authenticity, what counts as a truly medieval castle? Our Scottish pick is Glamis Castle, which, although it has been updated, was never ruined. Glamis has been continually occupied since the present castle was built around 1400 by an unbroken line of the Lords Glamis, later styled as earls. The castle has a vivid history, with connections to Scottish royalty including Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, and the Queen Mother (Queen Elizabeth II’s mother), who lived here. Queen Elizabeth’s sister, Margaret, was also born in the castle. Today, Glamis is occupied by the 19th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne.

Karlstejn Castle, Czech Republic

Karlstejn Castle, Czech Republic

The Great Tower of this royal palace is an awe-inspiring sight among the rolling hills that surround it and the little town below. Built around 1350 by the Holy Roman Emperor, Karlstein Castle was used by the king to secure his most prized collections, including holy relics and the Imperial Crown Jewels; it was also his private royal retreat. Like most other medieval castles, Karstejn was added to, starting in the 15th century, but it maintains its original style, thanks to later restorations that got rid of the trimmings and changed it back to its original appearance. Never owned privately, it passed from the crown to the state.

Gyantse Dzong, Tibet

Gyantse Dzong, Tibet
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This impressive castle-like structure is one of the best-preserved dzongs (a sort of fortress/monastery) in Tibet, where government officials as well as religious and cultural leaders lived. The Gyantse Dzong was built in the late 1300s, its white buildings blending into the cliffs and its red-topped roofs catching the eye. Although the dzong was built in the medieval period, its most notable point in history was during the British invasion of Tibet in 1903 and 1904. The dzong and the city were eventually overcome, but the Tibetans put up quite a fight – which is why Gyantse is known as the ‘Hero City.’

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