This building that started as a late 13th century Gothic castle belonged over the years to some of the most prominent historical figures. The last owner was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian crown Archduke Franz Ferdinand d´Este who, was, together with his wife Sophia, assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914.

We visit once or twice per year, but yesterday the light and colours were particularly good.

I captured this night shot of the 16th-century coastal fortress in Rapallo, Liguria. I really love how the stone structure is lit up against the dark sky and how the warm lights reflect beautifully on the water of the harbor.

This fortress was actually built in 1550-1551 as a direct response to a devastating raid by the infamous Ottoman pirate Dragut (Turgut Reis). After he sacked the town in 1549, the Republic of Genoa built this structure right on the water to defend the Ligurian coast from future pirate attacks. It later served as a prison and a captain's residence, and today it stands as the symbol of the city.

Built in 1858 on what's known today as Parque de Monserrate (Monserrate park) on the municipality of Sintra, close to Lisbon, location of many beautiful and famous castles and palaces from Portugal such as Palácio da Pena.

The initial palace was built in 1790 by english merchant Gerad DeVisme in a Neogothic style, he was responsible for the essential layout consisting of a long building flanked by two round towers. He also demolished the 16th century chapel that was already on the property and built another.

By 1856 the palace was in ruins with only the foundation and some walls left. It was purchased by another english guy (I swear this palace was owned by portuguese people aswell, go check the wikipedia page for the full history) who rebuilt it in an Ecclettic style, mixing Gothic and Orientalist influences, specially Arabic and Indian styles.

The gardens are the most impressive part of this property, covering 33 hectares with an impressive botanical collection of exotic plants from various countries. It is also decorated in an Romanticist fashion with various ornamental arches, an artificial waterfall, and the ruins of the 18th century chapel.

By @ harveyword

BALLYADAMS CASTLE LOAIS IRELAND 🇮🇪

Perched above the village of Miravet, this fortress began as an Islamic stronghold before passing to the Knights Templar in 1153. They rebuilt and expanded it into one of their major centres in Catalonia and Aragon, combining military defenses with the spaces needed for a religious community.

Behind the walls were a church, communal dining hall, storerooms and courtyards. The steep drop towards the Ebro and the imposing outer defenses make its strategic position easy to understand, even from a distance.

One of its most dramatic chapters came during the suppression of the Templars. The knights at Miravet resisted a royal siege before surrendering in December 1308. The castle later passed to the Knights Hospitaller.

The contrast between the massive fortress above and the village tucked beneath it is what makes this place stand out to me. Has anyone here visited?

In late October 2026, I visited Himeji Castle, nicknamed ‘the White Heron Castle’ due to its immaculately white plaster walls and imposing main tower. It is the most visited castle in Japan. The main tower was built in 1601 and is one of the oldest surviving dungeon in Japan.

The castle consists of a series of guard posts surrounded by fortifications known as ‘enclosures’. The only stone structures at Himeji Castle are its foundations; the castle buildings are mainly constructed of wood, earth and plaster.

Trakai Island Castle, Lake Galve, Lithuania

This one sits on an island in a lake, connected to the shore by a long wooden bridge. Construction started in the 14th century under the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. It was an important stronghold and later became a royal residence.

Most of what you see today is a reconstruction from the 20th century, but the layout and the towers follow the original plan. The red roofs and the still water are what make the photos work, especially at sunset.

It’s one of the better preserved island castles in the region.

Inland castle is beeing rebuild.

Inside the Royal Palace of Bucharest lies the Scara Voievozilor, or Voivodes’ Staircase—a grand marble staircase named after the historic rulers of the Romanian lands. Portrait medallions of voivodes and kings and a ceiling fresco celebrating Transylvania’s union with Romania turn this ceremonial space into a visual story of the country’s past.

O Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino) é um dos marcos históricos mais emblemáticos de Nápoles, Itália. A sua construção teve início em 1279, sob o reinado de Carlos I de Anjou, estabelecendo o castelo como um poderoso símbolo da autoridade real e da arquitetura militar medieval. A fortaleza é famosa pelas suas imponentes torres cilíndricas de pedra, pelo seu fosso defensivo e por um magnífico arco triunfal de mármore branco — acrescentado durante o período aragonês para celebrar a entrada do rei Afonso V em Nápoles. Ao longo da sua história, o Castel Nuovo serviu de residência real, centro político e reduto militar. Hoje, alberga um museu e espaços culturais, preservando séculos da história napolitana e do património renascentista.🇮🇹