According to Wikipedia, “A castle is a defensive structure seen as one of the main symbols of the Middle Ages. The term has a history of scholarly debate surrounding its exact meaning, but it is usually regarded as being distinct from the general terms fort or fortress in that it describes a building which serves as a residence of a medieaval monarch or noble and commands a specific territory.” I have chosen to use my own criteria for inclusion in this list, that being, if I were a princess in a fairytale, would I want to live there? As such, interior condition was not taken into consideration, exterior setting was very important, and any past gory history was ignored. I only included one per country so there are scores of equally beautiful castles which had to be excluded. (I did make an exception to the one per country rule for England, as I really, really want to live in one of the two shown.)
Baku’s Wedding Palace Azerbaijan
Schloss Anif Austria
Mir Castle Belarus
Gravensteen Belgium
Summer Palace China
Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca Cuba
Hluboka Nad Vltavou Czech Republic
Kronborg Castle Denmark
Leeds Castle England
Warwick Castle England
Fasilides Castle Ethiopia
Olavinlinna Finland
Chateau D’Usse France
Neuschwanstein Castle Germany
Eszterháza Palace Hungary
Khas Mahal India
Falak-ol-aflak Castle Iran
Kilkenny Castle Ireland
Bardi Castle Italy
Himeji Castle Japan
Petra Jordan
Vaduz Castle Lichtenstein
Muiderslot The Netherlands
Malbork Castle Poland
Belem Tower Portugal
Hunedoara Castle Romania
Kazan Kremlin Russia
Eilean Donan Castle Scotland
Alcazar of Segovia Spain
Orebro Castle Sweden
Chillon Castle Switzerland
Krak Des Chevaliers Syria
Rumelihisar? Turkey
Kamianets Ukraine
Boldt Castle United States
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