181 properties found
Unknown City, Unknown Country
Perched on a gentle hill overlooking Bavaria's Chiemgau region, Schloss Amerang presents a captivating glimpse into Germany's medieval past while offering modern comforts for today's discerning travelers. First documented in 1072, this historic castle evolved through the centuries, with its most distinctive feature being the trapezoidal arcaded courtyard added by the exiled Scaligeri lords of Verona in the 16th century. The castle's exterior presents an enchanting tableau of weathered stone towers, terracotta-tiled roofs, and decorative half-timbered elements that create a quintessentially Bavarian aesthetic against the backdrop of distant Alpine peaks. Inside, Schloss Amerang reveals a thoughtful balance of preserved history and contemporary luxury, with guest accommodations featuring original architectural elements like exposed wooden beams and stone archways alongside modern amenities. The castle's great hall, with its impressive dimensions and medieval ambiance, provides an atmospheric setting for wedding celebrations and family gatherings. The surrounding 12-acre estate encompasses formal gardens, ancient woodland, and pastoral meadows, offering guests multiple outdoor spaces for relaxation and recreation. Families particularly appreciate the castle's family-friendly facilities, including a dedicated children's playroom, outdoor play areas, and easy access to nearby attractions including the German Car Museum and the Amerang Craftsmen's Village. As an exclusive rental property, Schloss Amerang accommodates up to a dozen families comfortably, making it ideal for multi-generational gatherings, intimate weddings, and special celebrations where privacy and historic ambiance are equally valued.
Unknown City, Unknown Country
Rising dramatically from the shores of Straussee Lake just outside Berlin, The Lakeside Burghotel zu Strausberg combines the romantic allure of a medieval fortress with the sophisticated comforts of a boutique hotel. Originally constructed in the 13th century as part of Brandenburg's defensive network, this historic castle has been thoughtfully restored to create a distinctive hospitality experience that honors its martial heritage while catering to contemporary tastes. The hotel's imposing exterior features thick stone walls, a crenellated tower, and narrow window openings that reflect its defensive origins, while the addition of a waterside terrace and expansive glass elements create a harmonious dialogue between ancient architecture and modern design. Inside, the 20 individually styled guest rooms and suites feature a captivating blend of medieval atmosphere and luxurious amenities, with stone walls, arched doorways, and castle-appropriate furnishings complemented by modern bathrooms, premium bedding, and technological conveniences. The castle's historic Knights' Hall, with its stone columns and vaulted ceiling, has been transformed into an atmospheric restaurant serving regional Brandenburg cuisine with contemporary flair. As a wedding venue, the Burghotel offers a distinctive combination of medieval romance and lakeside serenity, with ceremony locations including the castle chapel, the waterfront garden, and the torch-lit castle courtyard. Families particularly appreciate the hotel's spacious grounds, child-friendly amenities, and direct access to lake activities including swimming, fishing, and boating. Located just 30 kilometers from Berlin yet feeling worlds away from urban bustle, this historic fortress provides an accessible escape where history, nature, and hospitality converge to create memorable experiences for couples, families, and history enthusiasts alike.
Unknown City, Unknown Country
Nestled in the charming market town of Thurnau in Upper Franconia, Schloss Thurnau exemplifies the architectural evolution of German castle design, presenting a harmonious blend of medieval fortress and Renaissance palace elements. Dating from the 13th century and substantially expanded during the Renaissance period, this impressive castle complex ranks among Franconia's largest and most beautifully preserved historic properties. The castle's exterior showcases a captivating architectural collage spanning centuries, with medieval defensive towers, Renaissance gables, and a striking three-story arcaded courtyard that reflects the Italian influences popular among German nobility during the 16th century. This courtyard, with its elegant stone columns and graceful arches, provides a romantic setting for open-air events and summer dining. The castle hotel occupies several historic buildings within the complex, offering 15 individually designed guest rooms and suites that combine historic charm with modern comforts. Original features including exposed timber beams, stone fireplaces, and leaded glass windows create an authentic atmosphere, while thoughtful modern amenities ensure guest comfort. The castle's restaurant, housed in former state rooms, serves regional Franconian specialties and international cuisine in surroundings rich with historic detail. As a wedding venue, Schloss Thurnau offers multiple romantic settings including the Renaissance courtyard, the castle chapel, and the picturesque castle pond gardens, with reception facilities capable of accommodating up to 120 guests. Families appreciate the child-friendly amenities, spacious grounds for exploration, and the castle's proximity to the natural attractions of Franconian Switzerland. Located at the heart of a culturally rich region yet removed from mass tourism, Schloss Thurnau provides an authentic castle experience where history comes alive through thoughtfully preserved architecture and warm Franconian hospitality.
Unknown City, Unknown Country
Casa de Pilatos stands as Seville's most magnificent example of civilian palatial architecture, seamlessly blending the artistic pinnacles of Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance, and Romantic styles into a harmonious architectural masterpiece. Built in the late 15th century as the main residence of the powerful Enriquez de Ribera family, the palace was expanded and embellished throughout the 16th century, particularly after the Duke of Alcala's pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1519, which inspired the name "House of Pilate" due to supposed similarities with Pontius Pilate's residence. The palace is organized around two spectacular courtyards: the main Renaissance courtyard with its central marble fountain, Carrara marble columns, and exceptional classical sculptures, and the smaller Mudejar courtyard showcasing the intricate geometric tile work and plasterwork that define this uniquely Spanish-Islamic fusion style. Perhaps most breathtaking is the grand staircase, crowned by a spectacular gold cedar ceiling, connecting the ground floor with the noble area where the upper galleries feature one of Spain's finest Renaissance fresco collections. Throughout the palace, exquisite azulejo tilework, artesonado wooden ceilings, and elaborate plasterwork demonstrate the highest achievements of Andalusian craftsmanship, while lush gardens create peaceful retreats filled with classical statuary, fountains, and hedged parterres. Still partially inhabited by the Medinaceli ducal family, Casa de Pilatos offers visitors a rare glimpse into the private world of Spanish aristocracy while showcasing how successive generations embraced diverse architectural influences to create a palatial residence that embodies the multicultural heritage of Andalusia at its most refined and elegant.
Unknown City, Unknown Country
Nestled among ancient pine forests at the foot of Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain, Inverlochy Castle Hotel stands as a magnificent example of Scottish Baronial architecture and Victorian aristocratic splendor. Built in 1863 by Lord Abinger as a private baronial residence, this imposing castle with its distinctive corner turrets and crenellated roofline occupies a historic site near the ruins of the 13th-century Old Inverlochy Castle, creating a compelling dialogue between Scotland's medieval past and its Victorian reinterpretation. The castle's riverside setting on the shores of Loch Na Marag creates breathtaking vistas from every window, with the dramatic mountains of Lochaber forming a majestic backdrop. Transformed into a luxury hotel in the 1960s, Inverlochy preserves its aristocratic heritage through meticulously maintained period interiors featuring hand-painted ceilings, ornate plasterwork, Venetian chandeliers, and original furnishings gifted by the King of Norway. The castle achieved historical significance in 1873 when Queen Victoria spent a week sketching and painting at Inverlochy, writing in her journal, "I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot." Today, the castle continues its tradition of royal and celebrity visitors while offering guests an immersive experience of Victorian Scottish nobility, with seventeen individually designed bedrooms combining period details with modern luxury. Set within 500 acres of private grounds featuring woodland walks, a private loch for fishing, and formal gardens, Inverlochy Castle Hotel offers visitors a quintessentially Scottish Highland experience, where the grandeur of Victorian architecture meets the wild beauty of the Highlands in a setting of unparalleled historical atmosphere.
Unknown City, Unknown Country
Perched dramatically on Mount Pirchiriano overlooking the Susa Valley, the Sacra di San Michele stands as one of Italy's most spectacularly situated religious monuments, combining the austere majesty of a medieval abbey with the defensive characteristics of a mountain fortress. Built between the 10th and 12th centuries, this extraordinary structure seems to emerge organically from the rocky mountaintop, with its Romanesque-Gothic church and surrounding monastic buildings creating a silhouette of such striking beauty that it inspired Umberto Eco's renowned novel "The Name of the Rose." The approach to the abbey via the aptly named "Path of the Dead" heightens the sense of spiritual journey, leading visitors up 243 steps carved into the mountain to the imposing Portal of the Zodiac, a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture framing the entrance to the sacred complex. Inside, the church's nave soars 20 meters upward, built ingeniously to accommodate the irregular mountain peak, while the crypt below descends into the living rock of the mountain. Throughout the complex, dramatic vistas unfold through ancient windows and from terraced viewpoints, offering breathtaking panoramas of the Alps and the Po Valley that have inspired pilgrims, writers, and travelers for nearly a millennium. The Staircase of the Dead, with its ceiling decorated with frescoes of the Dance Macabre, leads to the remarkable Tower of Bell'Alda, subject of a poignant local legend. As the official symbol of the Piedmont region and a key stop on the Via Francigena pilgrim route, the Sacra di San Michele represents not merely an architectural triumph but a profound spiritual landmark where the boundary between heaven and earth seems to dissolve amid the clouds that frequently envelop this mystical mountain sanctuary.
Unknown City, Unknown Country
Muiderslot Castle stands as a perfectly preserved medieval fortress rising from the waters of its moat at the mouth of the River Vecht, just 15 kilometers southeast of Amsterdam. Built in 1370 by Count Albrecht of Bavaria, this archetypal brick castle embodies the classic features of Dutch medieval military architecture with its square floor plan, four round corner towers, impressive battlements, and defensive walls surrounded by a wide moat. What makes Muiderslot particularly remarkable is its exceptionally authentic state of preservation, offering visitors an immersive journey into the Netherlands' medieval past while showcasing later periods of Dutch cultural history. The castle's interior has been meticulously restored to display multiple historical periods, including rooms furnished in 17th-century style commemorating P.C. Hooft, the renowned Dutch poet and playwright who served as castle bailiff during the Dutch Golden Age. During this period, Muiderslot became the center of an important literary and artistic circle known as the Muiderkring, whose intellectual gatherings in the castle helped shape Dutch cultural identity. The castle gardens further enhance the historical experience, featuring a carefully reconstructed herb and vegetable garden based on medieval and 17th-century horticultural principles, alongside a traditional plum orchard. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Muiderslot represents not merely an architectural treasure but a living connection to the Netherlands' medieval military history and Golden Age cultural flowering, all conveniently accessible from Amsterdam yet preserving the atmosphere of a distant era when knights and counts defended the strategic waterways of the Dutch provinces.
Unknown City, Unknown Country
Gripsholm Castle stands as one of Sweden's most significant historical monuments, its distinctive red-brick towers reflected in the serene waters of Lake Malaren in Mariefred, just an hour from Stockholm. Originally built in 1537 by King Gustav Vasa, the founder of modern Sweden, this remarkable fortress represents the epitome of Swedish Renaissance castle architecture while containing elements from multiple centuries of royal history. The castle's imposing circular towers and thick defensive walls reveal its dual purpose as both royal residence and military stronghold during Sweden's emergence as a European power. What makes Gripsholm particularly significant is its continuous association with the Swedish monarchy over nearly five centuries and its role as home to Sweden's National Portrait Collection, featuring over 4,000 works that chronicle the nation's historical figures from the 16th century to present day. The interior showcases an exceptional series of historic royal apartments, each reflecting different periods of Swedish design history, from Gustav Vasa's medieval-influenced chambers to the 18th-century apartments of Gustav III featuring elegant Rococo decoration and the king's unique round theater where court performances were held. Among the castle's most remarkable spaces is the richly decorated Parliament Hall with its magnificent painted ceiling and the unique Prison Chamber where Erik XIV was held captive by his brother. Set within picturesque grounds featuring ramparts, gardens, and panoramic lake views, Gripsholm combines architectural grandeur with intimate details of royal life, offering visitors a comprehensive journey through Swedish history while experiencing one of Scandinavia's most romantically situated royal castles.
Unknown City, Unknown Country
Hluboka Castle rises from the South Bohemian landscape like a vision from a romantic fairy tale, its gleaming white neo-Gothic towers and pinnacles creating one of the most picturesque silhouettes in Central Europe. Originally built in the 13th century as a Gothic fortress, this remarkable castle underwent a dramatic transformation in the 19th century when Prince Johann Adolf II von Schwarzenberg and his wife Princess Eleonore commissioned an extensive reconstruction inspired by England's Windsor Castle. The resulting architectural masterpiece showcases 140 ornately decorated rooms and chambers featuring exquisite carved wood paneling, crystal chandeliers, painted ceilings, and one of the Czech Republic's most valuable historical furniture collections. The castle's dazzling white exterior features an intricate lacework of Gothic decorative elements, including flying buttresses, gargoyles, ornate window tracery, and delicate stone carvings that create an atmosphere of ethereal elegance. Surrounding the castle, a 58-hectare English landscape park complete with rare trees, a winter garden, and formal parterres provides a harmonious setting that enhances the castle's romantic character. The interior houses a remarkable collection of tapestries, porcelain, and paintings, including works by European masters such as Brueghel, Canaletto, and Bourgogne. Perhaps most impressive is the castle's armory, containing one of Central Europe's largest collections of historical weapons and armor. As a perfect embodiment of 19th-century romantic historicism, Hluboka Castle offers visitors an immersive experience of aristocratic refinement and architectural splendor that has made it not only one of the Czech Republic's most visited historic sites but also a popular filming location and wedding venue.
Unknown City, Unknown Country
Villa Kerylos stands as an extraordinary architectural time capsule on the shores of the French Riviera, offering visitors the unique experience of stepping into a meticulously recreated ancient Greek villa from the Hellenistic period. Commissioned in 1902 by classical scholar and archaeologist Theodore Reinach and designed by architect Emmanuel Pontremoli, this villa is not a mere pastiche but a scholarly recreation based on extensive archaeological research of noble houses from the island of Delos around the 2nd century BC. The name "Kerylos" itself—meaning "sea swallow" or "halcyon" in Greek—reflects the villa's harmonious position between sea and sky in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. From its exterior peristyle and Carrara marble columns to its interior atrium and private quarters, the villa demonstrates exceptional fidelity to ancient Greek architectural principles while incorporating discreet modern conveniences. What makes Villa Kerylos particularly remarkable is the comprehensive approach to its historical recreation—every element from furniture and textiles to tableware and decorative objects was custom designed based on ancient models or authentic artifacts, creating an immersive experience of Hellenistic domestic life. The walls feature carefully executed frescoes depicting mythological scenes, while floors showcase intricate mosaics with geometric patterns and marine motifs appropriate to the Mediterranean setting. Now managed by the Institut de France, this waterfront villa represents a unique bridge between ancient and modern, where visitors can experience the refined lifestyle of Hellenic nobility while enjoying the eternal beauty of the Cote d'Azur, making it a singular cultural treasure that honors both archaeological accuracy and Belle Epoque intellectual curiosity.
Glamis, United Kingdom
Glamis Castle rises from the mist-shrouded glens of Angus like an embodiment of Scottish legend, its distinctive fairy-tale silhouette featuring conical turrets, crow-stepped gables, and circular towers that seem drawn directly from ancient highland lore. Home to the Lyon family since the 14th century and the ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, this historic castle holds profound royal connections as the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret. The castle's current appearance largely results from extensive 17th-century remodeling that transformed the original medieval fortress into a magnificent example of Scottish Baronial architecture. Beyond its royal heritage, Glamis is steeped in folklore and literary significance, famously appearing in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" as the protagonist's castle and inspiring numerous ghost stories, including the legendary tale of the "Monster of Glamis," a deformed heir supposedly hidden away in secret chambers. Inside, the castle's opulent state rooms and drawing rooms display remarkable period furnishings, including the spectacular Dining Room with its 17th-century plasterwork ceiling, family portraits by renowned artists, and unique historical artifacts such as royal correspondence and the ancient "Lion Cup." The surrounding estate encompasses formal Italian gardens, nature trails through ancient woodlands, and a stunning arboretum featuring trees planted by notable historical visitors. The castle's medieval roots are evident in its substantial stone walls and the central tower house, while the chapel, restored in the 1950s, contains painstakingly preserved medieval painted ceilings. As one of Scotland's most historically layered and architecturally distinctive castles, Glamis offers visitors a journey through Scottish aristocratic life within an atmospheric setting that genuinely evokes the romantic spirit of the highlands.
Prague, Czech Republic
The Augustine presents a remarkable fusion of 13th-century monastic architecture and contemporary luxury, occupying seven historic buildings that once formed part of the St. Thomas Church and Augustinian Monastery in Prague's picturesque Malá Strana (Lesser Quarter). Founded in 1285, this architectural ensemble has witnessed centuries of Bohemian history and now offers guests the rare opportunity to stay within authentic monastic structures that have been meticulously preserved and sensitively adapted. The hotel's distinctive character emerges from its thoughtful integration of original architectural elements—vaulted ceilings, wooden beams, stone doorways, and fragments of Gothic and Baroque frescoes—with elegant modern design that respects and enhances the buildings' historical integrity. The property features several unique spaces including the Refectory Bar, housed in the monastery's original barrel-vaulted refectory, and the St. Thomas Brewery Bar located in the monks' former brewing cellars, where beer production has been a tradition since the 1350s. Some guest suites occupy former monks' cells, while the remarkable Tower Suite spans three floors of the monastery's astronomical tower, offering panoramic views of Prague Castle and the city's red rooftops. The Augustine's peaceful central courtyard garden, once a contemplative space for the monks, now provides a secluded oasis within the bustling historic city. Perhaps most remarkable is that a small community of Augustinian monks still maintains residence in an adjacent wing of the monastery, creating a living connection to the property's spiritual heritage and occasionally allowing guests glimpses of monks in traditional habits moving through the grounds—a poignant reminder of the buildings' centuries-long continuity of purpose as a place of reflection and renewal.