Most Stunning Castles in Europe…

Despite the Middle Ages also being referred to as the Dark Ages, a period associated with an overall decline after the fall of the Roman Empire, certain beautiful relics, like medieval castles, have survived through the centuries. But the idle ages, its not the only period in history when the castles started to spear more wildly. With the 17^th and 18^th century the outside work, become more elaborated. All the towers, porticos, attention to details, and finally much lighter, classy style, compare to chunky, fort like middle ages built, make it for a stunning statement.

All over Europe, you can find these strongholds, each with its unique features. Some perched on top of a mountain, others seemingly floating above water, and some nearly hidden by the leafy cover of trees, medieval castles had to be both functional, durable, and easy on the eyes, considering that many were an escape to the royalty and aristocrats.

Many of Europe’s castles are iconic and easily recognized, while others are off the beaten path. Till this day, they brin to life, all f the historical stories, about castles, places, kings and queens, royal balls, and all the glamour of past generations.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Most known, and most recognizable, so it deserves place on top of the list.  The fairy-tale castle known to all from Walt Disney’s films is real and is located near Füssen in southern Bavaria region.  The completion took 17 years and was meant to give the impression of a medieval castle. The castle complex with medieval elements, such as a moat and a drawbridge, was built around 1800It is one of the first large neo-Gothic buildings in Germany. Inside, you can see original medieval furniture, weapons and armor, bronze figures, and game tables. Neuschwanstein has 35 km of corridors, not to mention 400 steps leading to the front gate. The most famous Throne Room is almost entirely filled with gold, and the mosaic on its floor is one of the most beautiful in Europe. New Swan Stone, as the name of Neuschwanstein Castle is literally translated, is probably the most popular castle in Germany.  The owner of the residence, King Louis II of Bavaria, was quickly confirmed as mad, thanks to the amount on money he spent on building and furnishing the castle. There are legends about its enormity.

*Fun fact: An interesting truth related to its splendor may be the fact that 200 nuns for seven years embroidered silk upholstery for chairs and armchairs in the castle.

Chateau de Chambord, France

It is the largest castle in the Loire Valley in France. It was built in the years 1519-1559 in the Renaissance style at the request of the French kings. In the fortress you will find 6 great towers, 440 chambers, 84 staircases (14 main and 70 smaller ones), 365 fireplaces – as many as days a year and 800 carved capitals. Perhaps the most eminent man of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci, who was employed for some time at the court of Francis I Valois as an architect, had little influence on the shape of the building, but died shortly after the construction of the castle began. The Château Chambord is one of the best examples of French Renaissance architecture. The palace was built in the 16th century and little has changed since then. Walt Disney was inspired by him when he created “Beauty and the Beast”.

Colomares Castle, Spain

An architectural monument in the Crimea, located on the Ai-Todor rock in Haspra near Yalta. The neo-Gothic castle, designed by the Russian architect Leonid Sherwood, was built in 1911 or 1912 on the top of the 40 m high Aurora cliff. The Swallow’s Nest is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Crimea. In addition to medieval fortresses, there is a neo-Gothic architectural monument – tacky according to some, and delightful according to others.

Lichtenstein Castle, Germany

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Another beautiful castle from Germany. In the town of Lichtenstein in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, there is a neo-Gothic fortress, which gained its present form in the 19th century, when it was rebuilt on the order of the Urach family, and earlier there was a 14th-century medieval castle on this site. Currently, there is a museum inside that you can visit alone or with a guide.

Alhambra, Spain

Alhambra simply means “red”. The fortress in Granada was built between 1232 and 1273 and was extended until the 14th century during the reign of the emirs of the Nasrid dynasty. The former stronghold of the Moorish caliphs remembers the Arab rule of the Iberian Peninsula. Beautiful courtyards, gardens with flowing water, balconies, and ornaments with verses from the Koran are famous. The building complex was consumed by great fires, including the largest one on September 15, 1890.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

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Scotland is famous for its beautiful castles and it is difficult to choose the most beautiful one. Medieval strongholds today are mostly only ruins, charmingly situated on the hills. The castle overlooking Edinburgh can be considered representative. It literally towers over the city because it is situated on a hill. It is one of the most important and oldest fortresses in the whole of Great Britain, built in the 12th century. The Chapel of St. Margaret literally dates from the early 12th century and has not been rebuilt unlike the rest of the castle, making it the oldest building in Edinburgh.

Warwick Castle, England

As in the case of Scotland, in England it is extremely difficult to choose the most beautiful fortresses. Warwick Castle on the banks of the River Avon dates back to 1068 and is well preserved to this day, though of course it has undergone numerous remodeling. It was built under William the Conqueror and was used until the 17th century, when it was transformed into a country estate and passed into the hands of various count families. In the 12th century, the castle was a prison for prisoners of war from Poitiers, or for Edward IV York.

Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria

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Situated at the top of a 175-meter mountain, it is one of the most stunning medieval structures. Built over a thousand years ago, the fortress has 14 defensive gates, accessed by a 620 meter road. Thanks to such security and unusual location, the Hochosterwitz Castle has never been conquered or seriously damaged.

Glamis, Scotland

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The turreted Glamis Castle in Scotland is teeming with more than 1,000 years of history. It was featured in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth as the home of the title character, It is also  here that the author placed the killing of the king. A castle with royal roots, Glamis was also the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, whose parents were Lord and Lady Glamis. The castle was also the birthplace of her second daughter Princess Margaret, the first royal baby born in Scotland since 1600. There are some mysterious legends surrounding the property too. The best-known tale about the castle is the Monster of Glamis, a cruel name given to a disfigured child who was born into the Lyon family and was supposedly locked away in a secret chamber. The ghost of the Monster of Glamis is believed to still haunt the castle to this day.The castle was considered one of the most haunted in Scotland. Glamis is now inhabited by the Strathmore family who inherited the building in 1972.

Eltz Castle, Wierschem, Germany

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The castle is still owned by the Eltz family, who lived there for 33 generations, starting in the 12th century. The castle sits on top of a hill surrounded by a thick forest, adding to the mysterious feel. Located in Rheinland-Palatine, known as the Moselle wine region famous for Riesling wine, due to its secluded position, it feels worlds away. Just like many medieval castles, Eltz Castle has seen its fair share of conflict but was never destroyed over the centuries. Interestingly, Eltz Family has possession of the castle to this day. It has progressively become one of the most-photographed castles on Instagram with many landscape photographers choosing to capture it during the eerie hours of the day.

Conwy Castle, Wales

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The castle was built for Edward I during his conquest of Wales at the end of the 13th century. The building is surrounded by the walls of the medieval city and is one of the best-preserved tourist attractions in North Wales.

Alcázar of Segovia, Spain

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the name literally means  “Segovia Fortress”.  It is a medieval castle located in the city of Segovia, and it’s a  World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Rising out on a rocky cliff above the meeting of two rivers near the Guadarrama mountains.  It is one of the most distinctive castle-palaces in Spain by virtue of its shape – like the bow of a ship.The Alcazar of Segovia features wonderful views over the city of Segovia. Initially, it was a stronghold of the kings of Castile, then a royal palace, then a prison and the seat of the state artillery school. It is now a museum and one of the most popular monuments in Spain.

Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal

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In the small town of Sintra, near Lisbon, rises the Palacio de Pena, a colorful eclectic palace inspired by the Orient. It was built on a forest-covered hill by a 19th century German architect – Baron Wilhelm von Eschwege – for King Ferdinand II. The palace looks like a cluster of multi-colored towers, domes, and balconies. Visiting it, you get the impression that each turret has a different shape and color, and each room is decorated in a different style. The yellow and red walls look like a fairy tale, and the interior of the castle is decorated with rich mosaics, elaborate furniture, and fabrics. Tourists, however, willingly climb the hill. On the way up admiring an exotic park full of gazebos and fountains. There are breathtaking views from the top. This colorful palace is the best example of 19th-century romanticism in architecture, although it also has Moorish influences. The monument was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Zwinger Palace, Germany

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The Zwinger is undoubtedly a pearl among the architectural monuments of Dresden and one of the most magnificent buildings in the world. Its originator was the king of Poland – August II the Strong, who had special ties with Dresden as his place of birth. The construction of the palace began in 1709. The works lasted 23 years. Fate for Zwinger has not always been kind. It was bombed many times by enemies, especially during World War II. Today, this baroque palace, completely rebuilt according to old plans, pleases locals walking in the center of Dresden.

Löwenburg Castle, Germany

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One of the most interesting monuments is the romantic neo-gothic Löwenburg Castle, also known as the Lion Castle, located on the western outskirts of the city. The property was built at the beginning of the 19th century according to the design of the famous German architect Heinrich Christopher Jussow. The main idea during the construction was to give the building such features as to give the impression of a ruined and abandoned medieval stronghold. Its owner was the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel Wilhelm IX, from whose name also comes the name of the picturesque park surrounding the castle. After his death, he was buried in the castle’s crypt. The interiors of the building have been equipped with original medieval furniture, weapons, and numerous armor. Some of the rooms are also decorated in a splendid baroque style. During World War II, part of the castle was destroyed because of English bombing raids. Currently, partially rebuilt, it is one of the most interesting attractions of the region, as well as an impressive example of neo-Gothic German architecture from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. Tourists visiting Löwenburg Castle rave about the romantic atmosphere of this monumental structure.

Prague Castle, Czech Republic

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Prague Castle is approximately 570 meters long and on average 130 meters wide. The castle complex includes three courtyards, beautiful royal gardens and many valuable buildings: the Gothic cathedral of St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George, the famous Golden Lane and others. It was the seat of Czech kings and princes, and since 1918 it has been the seat of the president. This is one of the main monuments of Prague, it is worth starting your city tour. Every full hour there is an attractive changing of the guard at the palace gate in the first courtyard.

Hohenzollern, Germany

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German rulers at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries had a weakness for spectacular mansions inspired by medieval knightly tradition – and the mighty fortress, which still belongs to the Hohenzollern family.  It is located on a high mountain. It makes a special impression on foggy days, when the clouds fall low over the valley and the castle towers rise above the white “sea”, then it looks as if it is floating in the skies. Although the present neo-gothic building comes from times relatively close to us and from the very beginning it was supposed to impress newcomers rather than defend the inhabitants against the invasion of hostile hordes, the history of the inaccessible Hohenzollern residence goes much deeper into the past. The first castle was supposed to exist in this place already in the 11th century, and the remains of the next one (destroyed at the end of the 18th century) can still be seen in the original Gothic chapel of St. Michael. Today, tourists are mainly delighted with the lace architecture, full of towers, towers, and turrets. In addition, the richly decorated interiors and the collections gathered in them deserve attention – the most valuable exhibit is undoubtedly the original crown of Emperor William II.

Trakai Castle, Lithuania

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The Lithuanian fortress delights not only with its perfect castle shapes, but above all with its spectacular location. It is located on a small island in Lake Galve, connected to the mainland by wooden bridges. Such a location was certainly not without significance when Trakai (today a town with only 8,000 inhabitants) served as the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and Prince Vytautas himself resided in the castle – the one we know well from the “Battle of Grunwald” in 1410. Unfortunately, already in the next century, the ducal residence began to decline, the invasion of Russian troops also did its job, and as a result a decision was made to abandon the reconstruction. Therefore, the ruined walls deteriorated for the next 300 years and it was not until the 19th century that the first plans for their reconstruction appeared. During the interwar period, renovation works were carried out by Polish conservators (the castle was located on the territory of the Republic of Poland at that time), but it was finally reopened to tourists in the mid-1960s. Currently, it houses a museum, and historical events and reconstructions are organized.

Balmoral castle

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Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852.  Once the land was purchased the new owners  decided to rebuild as the building was no longer adequate for their needs. The architect selected was William Smith, City Architect of Aberdeen. Soon after the family arrived at the Castle, Mr Smith was summoned from Aberdeen on 8th September 1852.Prince Albert decided to build a new Castle as the current one was considered not large enough for the Royal Family. A new site was chosen, 100 yards to the North West of the building. While the new Castle was under construction, the Royal family  occupy the old house.  The foundation stone for Balmoral Castle was laid by Queen Victoria on 28th September 1853 and can be found at the foot of the wall adjacent to the West face of the entrance porch. Before the foundation stone was placed in position Queen Victoria signed a parchment recording the date. This parchment, together with an example of each of the current coins of the realm, was then placed in a bottle, inserted into a cavity below the site prepared for the stone. The Castle was completed in 1856  and it possesses over 50,000 acres of land, when the house itself contains 52 bedrooms.

Kilkenny Castle (Irish: Caisleán Chill Chainnigh)

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is a castle in Kilkenny, Ireland built in 1195 to control a fording-point of the River Nore and the junction of several routeways. It was a symbol of Norman occupation and in its original thirteenth-century condition it would have formed an important element of the defenses of the town with four large circular corner towers and a massive ditch, part of which can still be seen today on the Parade. Kilkenny Castle in Ireland is a signature Anglo-Norman stone castle which started out as a wooden fort in the second half of the 12th century. Over the centuries the castle has gone through several changes and to this day bears elements of various architectural styles, mainly Gothic Revival. Its location historically was a strategic point controlling the crossing of River Nore. These days, the castle is surrounded by vast gardens with manicured lawns, where visitors can slowly enjoy and observe the castle. Visitors can also tour the castle interiors and immerse themselves in historic magnificence.

Predjama Castle

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Established directly in the side of a large, stony cliff face, Predjama is certainly one of the most visually arresting castles on Earth. Nestled in the mouth of a cave, its advantageous position made it extremely hard to attack, and defenders could replenish their supplies through a hidden network of cave passages. Built and destroyed numerous times over the centuries, Predjama Castle can be found just a short drive away from Slovenia’s capital of Ljubljana. A great time of year to visit is in July, when it hosts a colorful and chaotic medieval festival and jousting competition.

Chateau de Chillon

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makes for a spectacular sight, particularly when the snow-covered Dents du Midi((French for “ teeth of noon” are a multi-summited mountain situated in the Chablais Alps in the Swiss canton of Valais0, are visible in the background. An earlier version of the castle was first built by the Romans to guard the strategic passes through the nearby mountains. Set on a small island that is connected to the lakeshore by a delightful little bridge, the Swiss chateau features some arresting and artistic architecture, which is magically reflected in the waters around it. A popular day trip from Geneva, Chateau de Chillon also has some elegant halls and courtyards for visitors to check out, as well as an distinctive crypt.

Stirling castle, Scotland

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located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, both historically and architecturally. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, an intrusive cliff, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position. Its strategic location, guarding what was, until the 1890s, the farthest downstream crossing of the River Forth, has made it an important fortification in the region from the earliest times.

The Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, Germany

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Overlooking the Alsatian plain towards the Black Forest, hovering in the Vosges mountains. The first records of a castle built in the mountains date back to 1147. This medieval castle has all the necessary features for a fortress and the strategic location allowed for observation and fall-back, if necessary. On the ground floor, it features the living quarters and the keep as well as the grand bastion. The first floor features more living quarters, and beautiful chambers are featured on the second floor. The castle is built from pink sandstone, which is widely featured in this region of France and Germany.

Versailles, France  – (Château de Versailles)

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was the primary royal residence of Kings of France from 1682, under Louis XIV, until the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789, under Louis XVI. It is situated about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of the center of Paris. A simple hunting lodging present there in 1661 become the royal residency and one of the most known palace complexes in France. The king moved the entire royal court and the French government to Versailles. Some of the palace furniture at this time was made of solid silver, but in 1689 much of it was melted down to pay for the growing cost of war. Successive rulers mostly carried out interior remodeling, to meet the demands of changing taste, rather than do any updated to the exterior. Louis XV did install an opera house at the north end of the north wing for the wedding of the Dauphin and Marie Antoinette in 1770. The palace has also been a site of historical importance. The Peace of Paris (1783) was signed at Versailles, the Proclamation of the German Empire occurred in the vaunted Hall of Mirrors, and World War I was ended in the palace with the Treaty of Versailles, among many other events.

Hluboká Castle, Czech Republic

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Many of the castles built during the Middle Ages served as military strongholds meant for defense, and that certainly can be seen in their appearance. Hluboká Castle in the Czech Republic is not among those and prominently features a Gothic design and therefore has a rather romantic quality about it looking from a modern standpoint. Even though it was built in the second half of the 13th century, the castle was expanded during Renaissance, then rebuilt into a Baroque castle. It then was rebuilt again after Johann Adolf II von Schwarzenberg ordered the reconstruction of the castle to resemble the romantic style of England’s Windsor Castle.

Spis Castle, Slovakia

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It has dominated its surroundings ever since it was built in 1241. Due to its cultural, economic, and political importance to the Kingdom of Hungary, the castle kept growing until it became the enormous fortress it is today. Displaying impressive and imposing stone walls and towers, as well as a wonderful Romanesque palace, Spis Castle now serves as an exciting and educational museum. With commanding views out over the hills and valleys to be enjoyed from its battlements, this magnificent fort is not to be missed out on when in Slovakia.

Bodiam castle, England

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Bodiam Castle is a  Part of England’s historical significance , and its definitely among one of the most well-known medieval examples after Windsor. The 14th-century moated castle in East Sussex was built by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III. It was meant to defend the area against French invasion during the Hundred Years’ War. Bodiam Castle is one of the few quadrangular castles and has chambers on the outer walls and inner courts. To this day, unfortunately, the interior of the castle has not remained. The castle features a central courtyard, and there are rounded and square towers, originally built for defense. There are three coats of arms in the arch above the main gate.

Eilean Donan, Scotland

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It is perhaps one of the most well-known medieval castles, easily recognized by almost anyone. Partly, thanks to being featured in the 1986 film Highlander, but also as one of the must-see places in the Western Highlands of Scotland. This highland treasure is located on an island between three sea lochs – Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh.  Historically, it was a stronghold for the Clan Mackenzie and was established in the 13th century. Unfortunately, the original castle suffered destruction in the 18th century during the Jacobite rebellions and was rebuilt in the 20th century.

Bran castle, Romania

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When talking about medieval castles, mentioning Romania is a must. Most people will immediately think of Dracula and Transylvania. Many consider Bran Castle in Central Romania causally linked to Bram Stoker’s character, however, no direct links to that exist.  Bran Castle sits atop on a former Teutonic Knights stronghold dating back to the early 13th century, but the castle itself first appeared in documents dating back to 1377. The castle is approximately 2500 feet above the sea level and rises from between surrounding trees. It overlooks the charming village of Bran, and the several towers and turrets give it a mysterious mood. Nowadays tourists can visit the castle and wander through the narrow stairways leading to 60 timbered rooms, interestingly, many of them connected by underground passage.

Mont-Saint-Michel, France

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Few places in the world are as magical as the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay in France. The esteem-inspiring island located where Normandy and Brittany meet is otherworldly and unique. Even though not technically a castle, it would be difficult for anyone to deny its magnificence. What sits on top of the island is a medieval monastery attracting pilgrims for centuries. The legend tells that bishop Aubert from a nearby town was ordered by Archangel Michael himself to build a church on top of the island. Construction of a Benedictine abbey begun in the late 10th century. The scenery surrounding the island is everchanging as the tides of the bay can recede quickly, revealing a completely different view. During the low tide, the island can be reached on foot, and hundreds of tourists visit each day. Museums, parish church, and the abbey are open for visitors.

Windsor Castle, England

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Possibly one of the most famous castles in Europe is Windsor Castle in England, which has been the home of British royalty for centuries. Since  the time of Henry I , who ruled over England in the 12th century, this Berkshire palace has been used by the reigning monarch and therefore has had the longest occupancy for a palace in Europe.  The castle is surrounded by 13 acres of land and features a fortification, a palace, and a small town. These days the castle features a Georgian and Victorian design based on a medieval structure, with Gothic features. As you would expect in any home of a monarch, impressive and renowned art pieces feature within the castle. Being one of the three official residences of the Queen, it is still fully operational and attracting tourists is not its main purpose. Visitors can expect to visit State Apartments as well as the St George’s Chapel and witness changing of the Guard.

Fenis Castle, Italy

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situated on the top of a small knoll unlike many other castles built for military and defense purposes. Despite its defense structure, its function was only to be the seat of the Challant family.  Its design is tough but harmonious. Its pentagonal layout features corners with round towers. An exception is the south-west corner, which has a massive tower and the southern corner with a square-plan tower. The keep is enclosed in a double perimeter wall, with watchtowers linked by a walkway. The square tower offers access to the castle and the inner courtyard has a semicircular staircase and wooden balcony, decorated with exquisite frescoes.

Castillo de Coca, Spain

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in Central Spain in Segovia sits Castillo de Coca. The unique design of the castle will seem like something featured in knight movie to most, but in reality, this 15th-century castle is one of the best examples of Spanish Mudejar brickwork. It incorporates Moorish Muslim design and construction with Gothic architecture. The bricks used in the construction of Castillo de Coca are different from regular bricks as they are hardened to withstand enemy onslaught. Geometrical patterns featured in the castle are a hybrid of Moorish Muslim and Christian Gothic architecture. The defense system of the castle features three tiers consisting of wall circuits enclosed within a moat and a central keep.

Château de Suscinio, France

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In the North West of France on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, there is Château de Suscinio. Designed to be the residence of Dukes of Brittany, this late-medieval castle features a moated castle, a ruined chapel, a dovecote, and a few ruined outbuildings. Château de Suscinio originally was meant to be a manor for managing the agricultural estate, however, in the mid-12th century, it was extended to a castle. During the Wars of the Roses, the castle housed Jasper and Henry Tudors as well as other exiled Lancastrians of England. The castle is surrounded by marshes where exceptional fauna and flora are present. Château de Suscinio is a unique medieval example of Western European fortresses as it remains well-preserved while others have suffered significant damage due to cannon fires.

Burghausen Castle, Germany

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with almost all its medieval fortifications intact, is one of the largest castle complexes in the world and the longest, according to the Guinness World Record company. This medieval Bavarian castle was the second residence of the dukes of Lower Bavaria. It is built in Gothic style with an inner courtyard and five outer courtyards. Located near the borders of Germany and Austria, the castle offers unmatched views of its surroundings and is a must-see when visiting Lower Bavaria. The gallery within the castle has a collection of late Gothic panel paintings and a monumental picture cycle illustrating the history of Bavaria.

Highclere Castle,England

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Downton Abbey might be set in a fictional Yorkshire country estate of the same name, but the Jacobean Revival-style building really does exist in real life. Highclere Castle, used for the exterior shots in the TV series and film, was built in the 19th century by architect Charles Barry. The 5,000-acre estate is in fact located in Hampshire, close to the town of Newbury in Berkshire. The country estate belongs to Earl and Countess Carnarvon. The castle’s 200-plus rooms are filled with antiques and enchanting details, such as the frescoed ceiling in the Music Room, it also have that famous internal staircase and intricate internal balconies The incredibly detailed scenes, painted by Francis Hayman in 1740, depict Athena, goddess of war, wisdom and the arts.

Peleș Castle, Romania

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The picturesque Peleș Castle was constructed in the 19th century for Romanian King Carol I, who fell in love with the Carpathian Mountains and decided to build a summer retreat here. It is not a modest affair, either. The building in Sinaia, central Romania is a striking mix of Neo-Renaissance and Gothic Revival architecture. There are over 170 rooms, brimming with furniture and intricate details. Some have even been decorated to reflect different cultures, from the Florentine Room to the colorful Turkish Parlor. Pictured here is the magnificent, wood-paneled dining room.

Egeskov Castle, Denmark

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Built in the mid-16th century on the Danish island of Funen, is one of Europe’s finest Renaissance buildings, and was originally constructed for strictly  defense purposes. During the last 400 years, it has belonged to various families who have all lived in the striking structure. Today, it is surrounded by an impressive garden and boasts the best-preserved moat in Europe. The castle is also Europe’s best preserved Renaissance water castle and while most of it is open to public (in fact, there are five museums within the castle), some areas are still used privately by Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille and his wife Caroline, the niece of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. There are two museums, featuring vintage automobile and motorcycle collections as well as a fascinating collection on flying vehicles. Take a virtual tour of the world’s most enchanting stately homes.