Castles!- Large Photos

DonaCatalina · January 21, 2009, 06:41:18 AM

Castello di Fighine is not far from St. Casciano. During the Middle Ages, its importance was given by its strategic position. In effect, it is set between the Valle del Paglia and the Val di Chiana and it immediately appeared as an important military complex for the control over the two areas.

As for the dating of the building there is not any certainty, but some documents report that the Castle of Fighine could have been built around the mid-XI century.

DonaCatalina · January 22, 2009, 06:36:07 AM

North we go once again to Skelbo Castle in Scotland.
Skelbo Castle is a ruined 14th century keep, located on the high shore at the mouth of Loch Fleet in the Highlands.
Location of Skelbo:

Where some of the stone went to.

Richard de Graeme · January 22, 2009, 03:03:49 PM

This locale feels oddly familiar...hmmmm...

DonaCatalina · January 23, 2009, 06:38:37 AM

This is another Portuguese castle, but this one is actually in Portugal. Castelo São Jorge is in Lisbon. The name comes from the time of King Joao I ( late 14 century) Before it was known simply as Lisbon Castle.
Walk up

DonaCatalina · January 24, 2009, 09:03:25 AM

Today's castle in one I'm sure everyone has at least heard of.
Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland. It is near the River Martin. The castle originally dates from before AD 1200. It was destroyed in 1446, but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac MacCarthy, the King of Munster. It is currently a partial ruin with some accessible rooms and the battlements. At the top of the castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone. Tourists visiting Blarney Castle may hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. There are many legends as to the origin of the stone, but some say that it was the Lia Fáil—a magical stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.

LadyShadow · January 24, 2009, 09:10:51 AM

I would have liked to see a pic of someone kissing the stone. I think I need to go looking now. Thank you for sharing the wonderful place.

Richard de Graeme · January 24, 2009, 01:48:55 PM

Aye, these lips have touched the stone, even after the rumor of the locals' treatment of said stone (enough said).

You lay down, then bend backwards and upside down like and grabbing the iron bars kiss it. Slick and cool. Many a lip has caressed this stone, by the Gods. Attendants are holding you at all times. A beautiful place in Spring when the heather is in bloom.

DonaCatalina · January 25, 2009, 09:41:40 AM

Muiden Castle (also known as Muiderslot Castle) is now a popular tourist destination not far from Amsterdam. The first castle on this site was built around 1280 by Count Floris V of Holland, to control the estuary of the river Vecht into the former Zuidersea. And undoubtedly it would also have been used to raise toll from passing ships on the river Vecht, as this river flowed through the territory of the bishops of Utrecht; opponents of Floris.
(Shades of Princess Bride

)

DonaCatalina · January 26, 2009, 06:37:33 AM

Heidelberg Castle is our destination today. The Heidelberg Castle (in German language named: Heidelberger Schloss) is a famous ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps.

The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th & 18th centuries. It is located 80 m (262 ft) up the northern part of the Königstuhl hillside, and thereby dominates the view of the old downtown. I
The earliest castle structure was built before AD 1214 and later expanded into 2 castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt destroyed some rebuilt sections.
(makes you wonder, doesn't it?)

DonaCatalina · January 27, 2009, 06:36:26 AM

Today we visit the Hornberg.
No, I don't mean the ancient fortress of Rohan.
The Hornberg or Burg Hornberg is in Germany.
Hornberg Castle is the oldest castle in the Neckar Valley and was once the home of a famous knight-at-arms, Götz von Berlichingen, the hero of the play that brought fame to the young Goethe. Gotz bought the castle in 1517, but then had to spend 12 years inside it under house arrest after he had led a horde of rebellious peasants in 1525. Today the castle walls house a hotel and restaurant.

captmarga · January 27, 2009, 02:52:44 PM

Interesting. Anyone get a craving for Starbucks after looking at these photos???

Capt Marga

DonaCatalina · January 28, 2009, 06:38:11 AM

Since I'm iced in today, I thought we'd go to sthe Alps to visit Chateau de Miolans.
The earliest evidence shows an oppidum, already occupied at the time of the Romans, starting from IVe century. It thus makes it possible to control the alpine axis between Aoste and Vienna, by the Col of the Small-Saint-Bernard, the valleys of the Isere and the Arc.
Towards 923, the site accommodates a keep-manor, called Saint-Pierre , occupied by the family of the Miolans, one of oldest the family of Savoy.

Large photo here

DonaCatalina · January 29, 2009, 06:43:46 AM

Peel Castle is our destination for today.
Peel Castle is a castle in Peel, Isle of Man originally constructed by Vikings. The castle stands on St Patrick's Isle which is connected to the town by causeway. It is now owned by Manx National Heritage and is open to visitors during the summer.
The castle was built in the 11th century by the Vikings, under the rule of King Magnus Barelegs.

DonaCatalina · January 30, 2009, 06:35:53 AM

I felt a little homesick, so we're going back to Spain. The Alcázar of Segovia was a key fortress for the control of Castile. Rising out on a rocky crag above the confluence of the rivers Eresma and Clamores 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 Alcázar was originally built as a fortress but has served as a royal palace, a state prison, a Royal Artillery College and a military academy since then. The gardens are elaborate and striking. Nowdays the moat is mostly dry.The first reference to this particular Alcázar was in 1120.

DonaCatalina · January 31, 2009, 08:08:26 AM

North To Scotland! Stirling Castle
is one of the grandest of Scotland's castles and one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country.250 feet above the plain on an extinct volcano, Stirling became the strategic military key to the kingdom during the 13th and 14th century Wars of Independence and was the favourite royal residence of many of the Stuart Monarchs.
Map coordinates 56° 7? 23.27? N, 3° 56? 47.98? W
Stirling Castle Ghost Photo here.