Castles

[KilljoyKlown]

While I wouldn't ever like to live in most castles, I do enjoy the architecture and setting of castles. I hope that others that share my liking of castles will post pictures of their favorites. The following castle is Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria Germany. Great looking castle in an incredible setting.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/NeuschwansteinCastleinAutumnBavariaGermany.jpg

[Dywyddyr]

Pfft, that's not a castle. It's a 19th century palace.
A fake.

[KilljoyKlown]

Pfft, that's not a castle. It's a 19th century palace.
A fake.

Well, if your going to complain, show me a real castle then.

[Dywyddyr]

Caernafon:
http://www.clickonwales.org/wp-content/uploads/Caernarfon-Castle-and-quayside.jpg

Warwick:
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01418/warwick-castle-reu_1418063c.jpg

Beaumaris:
http://www.leighsaintthomas.wigan.sch.uk/images/Interview/Beaumaris_Castle.jpg

[Dywyddyr]

Conwy:
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01010/conwy-castle-pa_1010927c.jpg

Conisbrough:
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/castles/castles/conisbrough-castle.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

Cashel Castle in Ireland has nice position on a hill. The best castles always have a good view of the surrounding area.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/CashelCastleIreland.jpg

[Dywyddyr]

http://onestopcornwall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tintagel-castle-2.jpg

Tintagel, supposed birthplace of King Arthur.

[KilljoyKlown]

[QUOTE=Dywyddyr;2822819]Conwy, Conisbrough, Caernafon, Warwick & Beaumaris

Five impressive castles, I'd hate to be in an attacking army of the times with orders to breach.

[KilljoyKlown]

http://onestopcornwall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tintagel-castle-2.jpg

Tintagel, supposed birthplace of King Arthur.

Nice view, bet you get your exercise running up and down those steps?:D

[Dywyddyr]

You get even more exercise from the way your heart thuds when you cross the tiny bridge from the "mainland" to that separate peak. It's a long way down!
http://wowexcursions.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/tintagel-castle-ruins-cornwall-121.jpg?w=300&h=225

[KilljoyKlown]

Conwy Castle in Wales. Looks big enough to hold a fairly large army, and the river is a nice touch.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/ConwyCastleAlongtheRiverConwyWales.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

You get even more exercise from the way your heart thuds when you cross the tiny bridge from the "mainland" to that separate peak. It's a long way down!
http://wowexcursions.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/tintagel-castle-ruins-cornwall-121.jpg?w=300&h=225

Don't you have a rail to hold on to while you cross? How wide are you talking about?

[Dywyddyr]

There's a rail and it's about wide enough for two people to pass each other.
http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/93/66/936695_79c09693.jpg

Doesn't look bad, but when you're on it...

Plus, of course, the steps to the bridge aren't exactly tourist-friendly
http://www.englishheritageimages.com/image/tintagel_castle_n090591_4087615.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

Plus, of course, the steps to the bridge aren't exactly tourist-friendly
http://www.englishheritageimages.com/image/tintagel_castle_n090591_4087615.jpg

Yeah! Falling down those steps doesn't look survivable. Looks bad even for non-tourist.:D

[scheherazade]

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland, three views.

http://www.wallpaperpimper.com/wallpaper/Places/Castles/Eilean-Donan-Castle-1-VOO9WBNWO1-1024x768.jpg

http://pixdaus.com/pics/1251626914kmLKQDe.jpg

http://www.travlang.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/eilean-donan-castle_09.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland, three views.


Being next to the lake is nice, but having a few trees around would sure help. I can't help thinking as far as castles go, that ones kind of ugly.:D

[Me-Ki-Gal]

i thought it beautiful . The picture with the clouds was the best shot . Something about the color captured on the stone was striking . The Architecture looks more 1600ish . Maybe early 1700ish Maybe . O.K. I am going to find out what its all about . That first one you posted Klown ? The Palace ! I got a puzzle on the table the family is working of that Palace . I know that fucking Building well right now . The tree work is driving fucking bonkers


Interesting it was destroyed about then and was only officially completed in 1932.

[scheherazade]

Being next to the lake is nice, but having a few trees around would sure help. I can't help thinking as far as castles go, that ones kind of ugly.:D

Perhaps you might enjoy a virtual tour of the castle?

http://www.eileandonancastle.com/components/virtualtour/tourviewer_eileandonan_vt.php

I rather think it has 'character'. :D

[scheherazade]

Or perhaps you will find this more to your taste, yet it has been reconstructed several times into an imitation of French castles of the Loire valley.

Bojnice Castle in Bojnice, Sloakia.

http://photo.vivo.sk/jpeg/2186/203825/_n/107921f/Bojnice-Castle

http://www.offtoeurope.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/bcgg5.jpg

[scheherazade]

i thought it beautiful . The picture with the clouds was the best shot . Something about the color captured on the stone was striking . The Architecture looks more 1600ish . Maybe early 1700ish Maybe . O.K. I am going to find out what its all about . That first one you posted Klown ? The Palace ! I got a puzzle on the table the family is working of that Palace . I know that fucking Building well right now . The tree work is driving fucking bonkers


Interesting it was destroyed about then and was only officially completed in 1932.

Thank you, Me. I'm not surprised that you have an appreciation for both the beauty of the location and the functionality of the structure for you are a builder. Have you ever worked with stone? Fences or gate pillars, chimneys maybe?

[KilljoyKlown]

i thought it beautiful . The picture with the clouds was the best shot . Something about the color captured on the stone was striking . The Architecture looks more 1600ish . Maybe early 1700ish Maybe . O.K. I am going to find out what its all about . That first one you posted Klown ? The Palace ! I got a puzzle on the table the family is working of that Palace . I know that fucking Building well right now . The tree work is driving fucking bonkers


Interesting it was destroyed about then and was only officially completed in 1932.

Yes it looks like a great place to live.

[KilljoyKlown]

Perhaps you might enjoy a virtual tour of the castle?

http://www.eileandonancastle.com/components/virtualtour/tourviewer_eileandonan_vt.php

I rather think it has 'character'. :D

Okay you got me, I do like what they did with the place.

[Me-Ki-Gal]

Thank you, Me. I'm not surprised that you have an appreciation for both the beauty of the location and the functionality of the structure for you are a builder. Have you ever worked with stone? Fences or gate pillars, chimneys maybe?

Oh yeah . Fire place building is a dieing trade . I had to gather information for the fucking engineer the last one I built . My Mason was the same Mason Andy McDowell used on her place up Nine Mile Road . ( Ground Hog Day, Rose ) He learned from an Old man when he was young. I was a hod carrier when I was nine for an old Mason in Sacramento and that was my first exposure to the wonderful world of masonry. The old kind of hod carrying. It was a stick like a shovel handle and it had this shoe shaped scoop that was open on one end . The top was open too and it was made to carry on your shoulder sticking in the air so when you climb the scaffold you could dump it on the mud pallet above your head . Not for the week of heart let Me tell you .

[KilljoyKlown]

Or perhaps you will find this more to your taste, yet it has been reconstructed several times into an imitation of French castles of the Loire valley.

Bojnice Castle in Bojnice, Sloakia.

Very colorful and very nice country setting, yes I do like it.:D

[KilljoyKlown]

Oh yeah . Fire place building is a dieing trade . I had to gather information for the fucking engineer the last one I built . My Mason was the same Mason Andy McDowell used on her place up Nine Mile Road . ( Ground Hog Day, Rose ) He learned from an Old man when he was young. I was a hod carrier when I was nine for an old Mason in Sacramento and that was my first exposure to the wonderful world of masonry. The old kind of hod carrying. It was a stick like a shovel handle and it had this shoe shaped scoop that was open on one end . The top was open too and it was made to carry on your shoulder sticking in the air so when you climb the scaffold you could dump it on the mud pallet above your head . Not for the week of heart let Me tell you .

I lived in Sacramento area for four year about 20 years ago. Custom built a house at Rancho Marietta Country Club. But the only stone work I ever did was to piece together about 3 pallets of Arizona Red and Black Slate flag stones into a great looking lawn boarder for the back yard. I had to use a weeks vacation time to do it.

[scheherazade]

http://davidlansing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Ireland-Blarney-castle.jpgBlarney Castle, near Cork in Ireland.

http://www.goireland.com/photos/15201_15300/Blarney-Castle-the-Blarney-Stone-Desc1-15285.jpg

It has been said that kissing the Blarney Stone will bestow the gift of eloquence. As though any who post here are short on that attribute....:D


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle

[Me-Ki-Gal]

I lived in Sacramento area for four year about 20 years ago. Custom built a house at Rancho Marietta Country Club. But the only stone work I ever did was to piece together about 3 pallets of Arizona Red and Black Slate flag stones into a great looking lawn boarder for the back yard. I had to use a weeks vacation time to do it.

That is a nice area . Foot hills right ? East of Rancho Cordova. I worked around there many years ago . I didn't know you were so Hooty Tooty Klown . If I am remembering right some of those houses had there own air plane hangers. You would have the Home Owners Association come down on you if your garage door was up . Yeah Sacramento . I moved a little over 20 years ago from there . Arden way by Cal-Expo is Me home base . Encina High School Be my Alumni. In Fact I was going to Sacramento Joiner College the day Skeeky pulled the pistol on Ford . It was the first day I missed class due to a job my brother got Me working in West Sac . So I was not there but I would have been walking right by the incident if I was . I was like Fuck can you believe that " when it came on the news that evening . Nimbus Damn watching the salmon climb the ladder. Love that stuff . Fishing for chad in the American river . Oh what fun that is . Trout fishing the Rubicon above Auburn . Man 24 inch brown trout galore . I still love Sacramento cause you can get to the high country and the ocean in a heart beat . Bodego Bay. Now that was the shit . Take the charter boats out fishing . We was doing that before The movie the Birds came out so when it did it had that special little feel of familiarity to it . Don't throw no seagulls any fish , or if you do you know what I mean. Bad as Canadian Geese

[KilljoyKlown]

Three views of Hemji Castle, very different from European castles. I spent two weeks in Japan about 30 years ago and visited 3 different castles. The doorways are to small, I kept bumping my head.


http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/hemji-castle-1.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/HimejiCastle-1.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/HimejiCastle3-1.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

That is a nice area . Foot hills right ? East of Rancho Cordova. I worked around there many years ago . I didn't know you were so Hooty Tooty Klown . If I am remembering right some of those houses had there own air plane hangers. You would have the Home Owners Association come down on you if your garage door was up . Yeah Sacramento . I moved a little over 20 years ago from there . Arden way by Cal-Expo is Me home base . Encina High School Be my Alumni. In Fact I was going to Sacramento Joiner College the day Skeeky pulled the pistol on Ford . It was the first day I missed class due to a job my brother got Me working in West Sac . So I was not there but I would have been walking right by the incident if I was . I was like Fuck can you believe that " when it came on the news that evening . Nimbus Damn watching the salmon climb the ladder. Love that stuff . Fishing for chad in the American river . Oh what fun that is . Trout fishing the Rubicon above Auburn . Man 24 inch brown trout galore . I still love Sacramento cause you can get to the high country and the ocean in a heart beat . Bodego Bay. Now that was the shit . Take the charter boats out fishing . We was doing that before The movie the Birds came out so when it did it had that special little feel of familiarity to it . Don't throw no seagulls any fish , or if you do you know what I mean. Bad as Canadian Geese

Rancho Marietta Country Club had two 18 hole golf courses, about 30 miles east of downtown just off Hwy 50 if I remember correctly. But I do remember some place I drove by a few times that had small planes in their garages and small runway where a street would normally be. I worked in a building next to the levy. The last year I was there it almost over flowed. They were prepared to dynamite the side opposite the city side, just in case.

[chimpkin]

I have to say the Japanese castle looks more livable.
I have fancy-someday dreams of building an dirtbag/bottle-construction house...and...I have visions of copying at least the look of Hemji Castle...
Using just surface stone over dirtbag and bottle, build a ground-level that has huge thermal mass and have all the living areas upstairs, just a workshop downstairs...and design it to naturallly pull air from below to upstairs for passive cooling.

Where would I get all that dirt? Well, a minature Japanese castle surely needs a Koi pond :)

http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/

[KilljoyKlown]

I have to say the Japanese castle looks more livable.
I have fancy-someday dreams of building an dirtbag/bottle-construction house...and...I have visions of copying at least the look of Hemji Castle...
Using just surface stone over dirtbag and bottle, build a ground-level that has huge thermal mass and have all the living areas upstairs, just a workshop downstairs...and design it to naturallly pull air from below to upstairs for passive cooling.

Where would I get all that dirt? Wel, a minature Japanese castle surely needs a Koi pond :)

Some of them do, and areas for sand art and the gardens are spectacular. I dare say nobody does gardens better than the Japanese.

[KilljoyKlown]

The Matsumoto castle is very interesting, mostly surrounded by water.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/matsumoto_castle-1.jpg

[Cifo]

Castello Torrechiara, Italia
http://www.pabaac.beniculturali.it/opencms/multimedia/BASAE/images/large/2009/03/30/1238413403593_1%20castello%20torrechiara.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

[CENTER]Castello Torrechiara, Italia

Interesting castle, mostly square lines and corners. Not any rounded or curved corners.

[Telemachus Rex]

Interesting castle, mostly square lines and corners. Not any rounded or curved corners.

As weapons evolved, so did castles. Firearms, over a long period, forced the castles to begin to morph into what we call "star forts". This was largely done to create zones of crossfire and eliminate blind spots that gunners could not target (created by the rounded shapes of earlier castles. The "star" like parts of star forts came because they started filling in the blind spots at the bases of turrets with stone. Curves became obsolete and increasingly elaborate angles proved superior given the improving range and accuracy of later medieval firearms and cannon.

In that case the changes were concurrent with changes in the military, so that they started to be professional forces and not led by nobles who gained their rank by birth, so castles retained their military functions, but lost their role as royal and noble residences.

[scheherazade]

The original use of the word 'castle' has changed over time and now encompasses a much broader range of architecture, design and purpose. I have been posting castles in keeping with the original definition of the word.


A castle (from Latin castellum) is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble. This is distinct from a palace, which is not fortified, from a fortress, which was not always a residence for nobility, and from a fortified town, which was a public defense – though there are many similarities among these types of construction. Usage of the term has varied over time and has been applied to structures as diverse as hill forts and country houses. Over the approximately 900 years that castles were built they took on a great many forms with many different features, although some, such as curtain walls and arrowslits, were commonplace.

A European innovation, castles originated in the 9th and 10th centuries, after the fall of the Carolingian Empire resulted in its territory being divided among individual lords and princes. These nobles built castles to control the area immediately surrounding them, and were both offensive and defensive structures; they provided a base from which raids could be launched as well as protection from enemies. Although their military origins are often emphasized in castle studies, the structures also served as centers of administration and symbols of power. Urban castles were used to control the local populace and important travel routes, and rural castles were often situated near features that were integral to life in the community, such as mills and fertile land.

Many castles were originally built from earth and timber, but had their defenses replaced later by stone. Early castles often exploited natural defenses, and lacked features such as towers and arrow-slits and relied on a central keep. In the late 12th and early 13th centuries, a scientific approach to castle defense emerged. This led to the proliferation of towers, with an emphasis on flanking fire. Many new castles were polygonal or relied on concentric defense – several stages of defense within each other that could all function at the same time to maximize the castle's firepower. These changes in defense have been attributed to a mixture of castle technology from the Crusades, such as concentric fortification, and inspiration from earlier defenses such as Roman forts. Not all the elements of castle architecture were military in nature, and devices such as moats evolved from their original purpose of defense into symbols of power. Some grand castles had long winding approaches intended to impress and dominate their landscape.

Although gunpowder was introduced to Europe in the 14th century, it did not significantly affect castle building until the 15th century, when artillery became powerful enough to break through stone walls. While castles continued to be built well into the 16th century, new techniques to deal with improved cannon fire made them uncomfortable and undesirable places to live. As a result, true castles went into decline and were replaced by artillery forts with no role in civil administration, and country houses that were indefensible. From the 18th century onwards, there was a renewed interest in castles with the construction of mock castles, part of a romantic revival of Gothic architecture, but they had no military purpose.

Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle near Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Bodiam-castle-10My8-1197.jpg/800px-Bodiam-castle-10My8-1197.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Bodiam_Castle_ground_plan%2C_Archaeological_Journa l_%281905%29_v62_page_179.jpg/300px-Bodiam_Castle_ground_plan%2C_Archaeological_Journa l_%281905%29_v62_page_179.jpg

This one comes with a floor plan. :)

[scheherazade]

As weapons evolved, so did castles. Firearms, over a long period, forced the castles to begin to morph into what we call "star forts". This was largely done to create zones of crossfire and eliminate blind spots that gunners could not target (created by the rounded shapes of earlier castles. The "star" like parts of star forts came because they started filling in the blind spots at the bases of turrets with stone. Curves became obsolete and increasingly elaborate angles proved superior given the improving range and accuracy of later medieval firearms and cannon.

In that case the changes were concurrent with changes in the military, so that they started to be professional forces and not led by nobles who gained their rank by birth, so castles retained their military functions, but lost their role as royal and noble residences.

The advent of gunpowder triggered a change in design of the castle and as the need for greater fortification arose, the comfort level declined.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Crac_des_chevaliers_syria.jpeg/800px-Crac_des_chevaliers_syria.jpeg

Krak des Chevaliers in Syria. It is an 11th century castle and was used in the Crusades. It was one of the first castles to use concentric fortification, ie: concentric rings of defence that could all operate at the same time. It has two curtain walls and sits on a promontory.

[chimpkin]

The advent of gunpowder triggered a change in design of the castle and as the need for greater fortification arose, the comfort level declined.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Crac_des_chevaliers_syria.jpeg/800px-Crac_des_chevaliers_syria.jpeg

Krak des Chevaliers in Syria. It is an 11th century castle and was used in the Crusades. It was one of the first castles to use concentric fortification, ie: concentric rings of defence that could all operate at the same time. It has two curtain walls and sits on a promontory.

That's one heck of a defensive position, there...

KilljoyKlown:
The Matsumoto castle is very interesting, mostly surrounded by water.

I could build my house with a little moat, miniversion...maybe use it for freshwater plant aquaculture.

[KilljoyKlown]

A little hill top castle Alcazar Segovia Spain. kind of cute isn' it?

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/AlcazarSegoviaSpain.jpg

[chimpkin]

Where's the wicked queen? where's Snow White?

[KilljoyKlown]

That's one heck of a defensive position, there...

I could build my house with a little moat, miniversion...doubt I'd build down south here, but if I did...
http://animaldiscoveryonline.com/animal-pictures/alligator-7.jpg
Why invest in an alarm system? Just need a gator-proof fence...

I like the way you think.:D

[KilljoyKlown]

Where's the wicked queen? where's Snow White?

Is that your way of complaining about the rainbow? I thought it was a nice touch. It can't be very often that a photographer gets a shot like that.:D

[KilljoyKlown]

Another hill top Spanish castle, Casares Spain, getting crowded by the locals.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/CasaresSpain.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

The original use of the word 'castle' has changed over time and now encompasses a much broader range of architecture, design and purpose. I have been posting castles in keeping with the original definition of the word.



Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle near Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Bodiam-castle-10My8-1197.jpg/800px-Bodiam-castle-10My8-1197.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Bodiam_Castle_ground_plan%2C_Archaeological_Journa l_%281905%29_v62_page_179.jpg/300px-Bodiam_Castle_ground_plan%2C_Archaeological_Journa l_%281905%29_v62_page_179.jpg

This one comes with a floor plan. :)

I like the reflection of the castle in the water and the floor plan was a nice bonus.

[KilljoyKlown]

This looks like a castle made out of clay, Casbah Ruins Dades Gorge Morocco.
I really like the reddish color of it.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/CasbahRuinsDadesGorgeMorocco.jpg

[Telemachus Rex]

The advent of gunpowder triggered a change in design of the castle and as the need for greater fortification arose, the comfort level declined.



It took about a century after gunpowder weapons appeared for castles to adapt fully, just as it took a century or more for tactics to adapt in light of the new weapons. Early cannon were not as powerful as one might think because gunpowder mixtures varied in quality, the original cannon fired stone projectiles that shattered on impact with a stone wall, and cannon production was uneven because metallurgy wasn't as advanced in the early days (and bad cannon would often explode).

Primitive cannons were used in the Battle of Crecy (1346), but the 14th century is the earliest documented use we know of in Europe in war. (There are some indications they may have been used prior to Crecy, particularly in Spain by Muslims against Christians in the 13th century, but no direct evidence of their use in significant combat in Europe has yet been uncovered of use prior to the Hundred Years War, and specifically 1346.)

Krak des Chavaliers is thus a in the style of pre-gunpowder castles. When the Knights Hospitalar lost it in the late 13th century (when Middle Eastern opponents may have had some access to cannon), it was still catapults that were used to recapture that castle.

[Anti-Flag]

Gunpowder forced a more drastic re-designing of fortifications.


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vQwjpChUGaU/SzOH7Vv3w_I/AAAAAAAABJ4/33v9FEc4q4g/s320/Fort+Bourtange.png
Bourtange Fort in Groningen. A Star Fort with a system of Redoubts/Lunettes.

Whilst medieval fortresses depended on increased defensive range from being on hills to enable arrows to fly further whilst forcing the enemy to close in, making use of moats and curtain walls to protect an inner bailey; Modern fortresses became closer to ground level to become harder to hit and focused on fields of fire to provide a maximum killing zone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_fortification

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_forts


Anyways, from an engineering point of view the nicest ones are the ones most effective for their job - Dominating the landscape, installing fear, showing power, and being effective defensive sites.

From an Architectural point of view I think these are also fascinating, particularly the Japanese Castles made for the Warring Shogunate as these are expert examples of how to design a castle for killing an enemy. Its outward beauty is almost a facade for the reality of what it's designed for.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_castle


Of course there are many "stately home" style castles that are little more than attractively designed - frankly I find these a waste of stone. :p

[KilljoyKlown]

Gunpowder forced a more drastic re-designing of fortifications.


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vQwjpChUGaU/SzOH7Vv3w_I/AAAAAAAABJ4/33v9FEc4q4g/s320/Fort+Bourtange.png
Bourtange Fort in Groningen. A Star Fort with a system of Redoubts/Lunettes.

Whilst medieval fortresses depended on increased defensive range from being on hills to enable arrows to fly further whilst forcing the enemy to close in, making use of moats and curtain walls to protect an inner bailey; Modern fortresses became closer to ground level to become harder to hit and focused on fields of fire to provide a maximum killing zone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_fortification

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_forts


Anyways, from an engineering point of view the nicest ones are the ones most effective for their job - Dominating the landscape, installing fear, showing power, and being effective defensive sites.

From an Architectural point of view I think these are also fascinating, particularly the Japanese Castles made for the Warring Shogunate as these are expert examples of how to design a castle for killing an enemy. Its outward beauty is almost a facade for the reality of what it's designed for.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_castle


Of course there are many "stately home" style castles that are little more than attractively designed - frankly I find these a waste of stone. :p

Nice presentation, the Bourtange Fort in Groningen is very functional and yet it looks like a great place to spend time. Also, I saw a program that highlighted the killing functions of the Japanese castles. I would have thought they would be easy to burn down, but apparently that's not the case.

[KilljoyKlown]

Let's not forget French castles, Carcassonne France, very nice.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/CarcassonneFrance.jpg

Burgundy Castle Bourgogne France

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/BurgundyCastleBourgogneFrance1989.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

Clifden Castle County Galway Ireland. Makes me think of a little getaway castle tucked away on somebodies ranch.:D

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/ClifdenCastleCountyGalwayIreland-1.jpg

[wynn]

It has been said that kissing the Blarney Stone will bestow the gift of eloquence. As though any who post here are short on that attribute....

There's eloquence. And then there's verbosity. :eek::p

[scheherazade]

There's eloquence. And then there's verbosity. :eek::p

I do concede the occasional display of rhetoric co-mingled with hyperbole. :D

[Dywyddyr]

I do concede the occasional display of rhetoric co-mingled with hyperbole. :D
And the converse. We have a number of posters who class as incoherent and/ or barely literate.

[scheherazade]

That's a cute little castle, KJ, in a pleasing pastoral setting. Here's another near Kilgarvan, Ireland.

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/Photography/Images/POD/c/castle-abell-489707-sw.jpg


The green countryside of County Kerry, Ireland, slowly reclaims a castle near the village of Kilgarvan. Taking its present name from the Irish Cill Garbháin, or Church of St. Garbhan, Kilgarvan rests on the banks of the Roughty River, which flows into Kenmare Bay.

[wynn]

Oh, Ireland ...

[KilljoyKlown]

That's a cute little castle, KJ, in a pleasing pastoral setting. Here's another near Kilgarvan, Ireland.

I wonder if Ireland has any big castles. I'm trying to figure out what good small castles are? Seems like a small force could put on a seige and starve them out in a few days if they have enough water to drink.

[scheherazade]

I wonder if Ireland has any big castles. I'm trying to figure out what good small castles are? Seems like a small force could put on a seige and starve them out in a few days if they have enough water to drink.

Siege was one of the strategies by which castles could be taken, depending on the time of year and how much food was put by inside the walls. Depending on the weather and availability of food and shelter, the party laying siege was also discomfited. I believe the advantage of castles is that a relatively small number of people can hold a larger party at bay, depending on it's construction and location.

This is a rather interestingly shaped castle, moated all around.

Caerlaverock Castle is a moated triangular castle, built in the 13th century, in the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve area at the Solway Firth, south of Dumfries in the southwest of Scotland.

http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/61/27/612780_3ec41318.jpg

[scheherazade]

One of the largest castles in Ireland is Cahir Castle.


Photo of: Midlands of Ireland: Tipperary: Cahir.

Image of Cahir (or Caher) Castle in the evening, viewed from the weir on the River Suir.

Cahir Castle is a very fine example of a late Medieval castle. It was remodeled and extended in the 15th to 17th centuries.

http://www.irelandupclose.com/images/X68749---Tipperary-Cahir-Castle-Illuminated.jpg

[Dywyddyr]

One of the largest castles in Ireland is Cahir Castle.
Oh noes not ANOTHER one!
I'm fed up of the way we do that.
Cahir is a corruption of an Chathair = fort or castle, so the place is called Castle Castle.
Much like (for example) Conisbrough Castle = Cyningesburh = King's Castle/ Fort. So we've got King's Castle Castle.

Aaargh! :D

[scheherazade]

Oh noes not ANOTHER one!
I'm fed up of the way we do that.
Cahir is a corruption of an Chathair = fort or castle, so the place is called Castle Castle.
Much like (for example) Conisbrough Castle = Cyningesburh = King's Castle/ Fort. So we've got King's Castle Castle.

Aaargh! :D

:eek: Sorry!

I'm just a virtual tourist, scoping out pictures and going by what's printed in the brochure, lol.

Apparently Fraggle is not the only one at this forum with a background in Etymology.

Thank you very much for that observation and clarification, Dywyddyr.

[KilljoyKlown]

I believe this is a unique picture of a castle posted earlier. For this photo it's called cloud castle.:D

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/cloudcastle.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

Well What can I say, Draculas Castle Bran Transylvania Romania. I was surprised, but had to post it.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/DraculasCastleBranTransylvaniaRomania.jpg

[scheherazade]

Awesome picture of Castle Bran, KJ. Good find!

There is something about castles, their duration and history, that goes well with a misty image.......shrouded in the cloak of time, metaphorically speaking.....

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Anh_MqsyBPM/TPGAUChZpxI/AAAAAAAACC0/vaIEFs2QoUY/s1600/Castles%25286%2529-739799.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

This is a classic picture, Lightning Over Alcazar Castle Segovia Spain
How many old horror pictures feature castles and lightning?

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/LightningOverAlcazarCastleSegoviaSpain.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

Malbork Castle Poland, a cool looking castle.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/MalborkCastlePoland.jpg

[quantum_wave]

Well there are castles in the US
http://www.castleintheclouds.org/
http://www.castleintheclouds.org/images/masthead.jpg

And of course:



http://www.personal.psu.edu/kmb5819/disney-castle.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

Castle For Sale in New Jersey USA
1902 Renovated Castle. 14,000 10 Acres.
Asking Price: $4,800,000 USD (Negotiable)

Built in 1902 Kip's Castle is a medieval-style mansion on 10.5 wooded acres overlooking the unmistakable beauty of the New York City skyline. Although built at the turn-of-the-century, Kip's Castle and the surrounding property been immaculately preserved and successfully converted into a modern, professional office facility and presently occupied and owned by one of New Jersey's most prestigious law firms.

The Buildings: The main building, which is fully powered and equipped with a modern HVAC system totals 14,131 square feet. It has a large kitchen. An adjacent carriage house offers an additional 5,000 square feet of totally renovated office space for a total of 19,131 square feet of elegant and historic space with all the modern conveniences. This totally unique property is unparalleled for the discriminating buyer and company that seeks to locate to a the ultimate office space available in New Jersey.

The Property: The location of Kip's Castle. set away from the routine traffic and noise. This location provides a quiet and elegant environment, ideal for any real estate need. Nearby Montclair offers a bounty of quality amenities. Located high on a mountainside, the location offers magnificent views of the New York City skyline as well as the northern New Jersey landscaped. The property is professionally landscaped and maintained. Easy access to northern New Jersey's major thoroughfares is quick and easy. Only 20-30 minutes to Manhattan.


http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/CastleForSaleinNewJerseyUSA.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

Since this topic is about castles, I thought it appropriate to include sandcastles.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/Sand_Castle_by_Suzuko42.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/sand_castle_1525.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/Sand_Castle_5_by_Suzuko42.jpg

[scheherazade]

Pretty fantastic work for working with a medium like sand.

How about an ice castle?

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/7372095.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7372095

[scheherazade]

Here's another interesting piece of work in ice.

http://themidnightsnow.info/wp-content/uploads/ice22.jpg

[KilljoyKlown]

Ice castles, that was a nice find. Doesn't Iceland build an ice hotel every year that you can pay big money to stay at?

I don't know how much more life this topic has, but it won't be complete until we've included some unique fantasy castles.

Glacier Castle by Drawing Ni
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/Glacier_Castle_by_DrawingNi.jpg

Waterfall Castle matte art
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/Waterfall_Castle_matte_art_.jpg

TN-The Eyrie
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/TN-The_Eyrie.jpg

[scheherazade]

Ice castles, that was a nice find. Doesn't Iceland build an ice hotel every year that you can pay big money to stay at?

I don't know how much more life this topic has, but it won't be complete until we've included some unique fantasy castles.


Oh ye of little faith, lol..... I rather suspect that there remains considerable on the topic of castles that we have yet to cover.

Perhaps it may be that you grow easily bored with a topic?

I have wondered why you seem to start a new topic more frequently than most of the other posters. Please do not take this as a criticism in any way, as it certainly adds to the mix at the forum.

It was merely an observation of mine.

For my next presentation on the topic of this thread, I give you the Chess piece, commonly called 'Rook'.

http://www.jaspdesign.co.uk/images/threedp/3d-printing-gal1.jpg

A rook (♖ ♜ borrowed from Persian رخ rokh, Sanskrit रथ rath, "chariot") is a piece in the strategy board game of chess. In the past the piece was called the castle, tower, marquess, rector, and comes (Sunnucks 1970). The old-fashioned term "castle" is technically incorrect.[1][2] Each player starts with two rooks, one in each of the corners nearest his own side.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rook_%28chess%29

[Me-Ki-Gal]

Well What can I say, Draculas Castle Bran Transylvania Romania. I was surprised, but had to post it.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/DraculasCastleBranTransylvaniaRomania.jpg

That must be restoration from the original . The Tudor work tells Me that . I don't know ? Feels like Tudor styling came after Dracula . Maybe not ? I am thinking it so thou . Don't have time to check the dates now . I might forget latter so it will have to stay a mystery in my little convoluted brain

[quantum_wave]

http://media.photobucket.com/image/escher+castle+/soulclaw/Exin-Castillos-Rikmor.jpg

Escher castle, eight images: here's one
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k52/rekonzo/escher.jpg

[scheherazade]

Cool, Quantum.

Here is another view from the link you posted. :cool:


http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u277/TigresseBlanca/normal%20pics/fantasy/eschercastle.jpg

[quantum_wave]

TY SZ :). Has anyone found a good haunted castle?

[scheherazade]

Fantasy castles alone, could keep this thread indefinitely, for they can be constructed anew indefinitely.

I am of the opinion that castles may figure more in the fantasies of females than males.......? :bugeye: Any thoughts on that? I'm thinking perhaps conditioning from the 'Cinderella Syndrome.'

http://www.scenicreflections.com/files/lady_and_the_fantasy_castle_Wallpaper_wlve.jpg

[quantum_wave]

I didn't see any castle in that pic :shrug::D

[KilljoyKlown]

Oh ye of little faith, lol..... I rather suspect that there remains considerable on the topic of castles that we have yet to cover.

Perhaps it may be that you grow easily bored with a topic?

I have wondered why you seem to start a new topic more frequently than most of the other posters. Please do not take this as a criticism in any way, as it certainly adds to the mix at the forum.

It was merely an observation of mine.

I am hoping for more input on this subject, but it has slowed a bit. Also, my posting of additional topics, has nothing to do with my being bored with any of my topics. Whenever I find something I want to post, I like to put it out there ASAP, or I may not get around to it at all. Some topics are time sensitive as you know from the Italian earthquake fault trial you posted. I try to give all my post equal attention, but I am human and do like some posts better than others. I love castles of all kinds, and really like some of the rare photographic shots that are close to being a once in a lifetime shot. A good photographer is so under appreciated, but not by me. Also, I am hoping that some of our forum members might have some personal pictures they might want to posts along with the story that goes with them. (Example Dywyddyr's posting to this topic.)


For my next presentation on the topic of this thread, I give you the Chess piece, commonly called 'Rook'.

http://www.jaspdesign.co.uk/images/threedp/3d-printing-gal1.jpg

A rook (♖ ♜ borrowed from Persian رخ rokh, Sanskrit रथ rath, "chariot") is a piece in the strategy board game of chess. In the past the piece was called the castle, tower, marquess, rector, and comes (Sunnucks 1970). The old-fashioned term "castle" is technically incorrect.[1][2] Each player starts with two rooks, one in each of the corners nearest his own side.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rook_%28chess%29

However the term castle or castling is a very important move in chess and it can't be done without a rook.

[Dywyddyr]

For my next presentation on the topic of this thread, I give you the Chess piece, commonly called 'Rook'.

http://www.jaspdesign.co.uk/images/threedp/3d-printing-gal1.jpg
Hmm, interestingly the picture on the right shows a way of telling what may be a real castle from a folly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folly) or "rich man's toy castle" (viz. the castle/ palace in KJK's first post). We have a couple of "castles" in the UK that actually aren't.
The stairs go the wrong way.
A true castle is configured to hamper invaders coming upstairs, so they turn to the right as you rise. This means that not only is the sword arm against the newel (central pillar of the staircase) hampering a decent swing but also exposes the invader's left hand side first to allow a strike as he appears.

[KilljoyKlown]

Hmm, interestingly the picture on the right shows a way of telling what may be a real castle from a folly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folly) or "rich man's toy castle" (viz. the castle/ palace in KJK's first post). We have a couple of "castles" in the UK that actually aren't.
The stairs go the wrong way.
A true castle is configured to hamper invaders coming upstairs, so they turn to the right as you rise. This means that not only is the sword arm against the newel (central pillar of the staircase) hampering a decent swing but also exposes the invader's left hand side first to allow a strike as he appears.

Until this post I always thought 'folly' meant something else, and your comments about the stairways hit the mark about something I probably would never have known about otherwise. <<<Thanks>>>

When I looked up castles in the U.S. I was amazed at how many of them were exact copies of real castles in Europe.

[quantum_wave]

Until this post I always thought 'folly' meant something else, and your comments about the stairways hit the mark about something I probably would never have known about otherwise. <<<Thanks>>>

When I looked up castles in the U.S. I was amazed at how many of them were exact copies of real castles in Europe.I seem to remeber someone having one moved to the US stone by stone from (was it) Ireland?

[scheherazade]

Just a bit of trivia in relation to spiral staircases. Interesting to me, anyway.


http://www.thejanuarist.com/wp-content/uploads/clan_kerr_staircase_export.png

Clan Kerr and The Legend of The Spiral Staircase
By Dan Zambonini, July 7, 2010, 4:09 pm in Architecture, Culture, Design, History, Past

The left-handed Clan Kerr and spiral staircases

Spiral staircases were a clever defence in medieval castles. They were almost always built with the spiral in the same direction (clockwise, when looking up from the bottom) so that the defending swordsman, who would either be coming down the stairs or backing up in reverse, could freely swing his sword. Conversely, the attacking swordsman (ascending the stairs) would have his swing blocked by the wall.

This, of course, assumed that both attacker an defender were right-handed, which most were.

Left-handed swordsman, though rare, had the advantage of surprise when attacking out-in-the-open – they had fought (and trained against) more right-handed opponents than their adversary had fought left-handed opponents. Their attack when ascending standard spiral staircases was also not blocked by the wall.

The warlike Clan Kerr trained to use their weapons with their left hands. Scottish Poet James Hogg (1770-1835) wrote, in The Raid of the Kerrs:

But the Kerrs were aye the deadliest foes
That e’er to Englishmen were known
For they were all bred left handed men
And fence [defence] against them there was none

and Walter Laidlaw wrote, in The Reprisal:

So well the Kerrs their left-hands ply
The dead and dying round them lie

Legend has it that, to allow them to more easily defend Ferniehirst Castle – seat of the Clan Kerr – the staircase was built spiralling in the other direction (see illustration above, with left-handed Kerr shown with ginger hair).

Is this true? Certainly, the castle does feature a reverse spiral staircase, but a 1993 study found no increased incidence of left-handedness in Kerrs.

Personally, I don’t Kerr whether it’s true or not – it’s a great story.

http://www.thejanuarist.com/clan-kerr-and-the-legend-of-the-spiral-staircase/

[Me-Ki-Gal]

Until this post I always thought 'folly' meant something else, and your comments about the stairways hit the mark about something I probably would never have known about otherwise. <<<Thanks>>>

When I looked up castles in the U.S. I was amazed at how many of them were exact copies of real castles in Europe.

I think it is called Greek revival. Maybe ?

I built many of spiral and circular staircases . With beautiful multiple woods that any one appreciative of the beauty of wood would admire. People in the know have come from England just to photograph the beauty . This is the comment I liked best from a guy from Alabama . He said Quote . The craftsman where I live think they are craftsman . I got to take a picture so I can show them real craftsmanship . How they like to dream . I have turned my own ballasts and newel posts after segmenting complimentary naturally colored . Shaping the rail it self is the hardest cause it don't look like a circle . More of a snake than anything . On of my best had a secret compartment undetectable , Now that was fun doing that mow fow. I call Me work peoples personal stairways to heaven cause usually a younger couples bedroom be at the top of the stairs. You got it ! A setting like that makes babies . A baby making strairway to heaven . Like a cigarette machine makes cigarettes

[Dywyddyr]

Legend has it that, to allow them to more easily defend Ferniehirst Castle – seat of the Clan Kerr – the staircase was built spiralling in the other direction (see illustration above, with left-handed Kerr shown with ginger hair).
How strange. IF they were actually left-handed then, as can be envisaged from the diagram, they disadvantaged themselves by having the staircase go the "wrong" way round.

It would free up an attacker's right hand. Admittedly they'd still be able to fight, but who wants a fair fight while defending their own home?

[Me-Ki-Gal]

I seem to remeber someone having one moved to the US stone by stone from (was it) Ireland?

That might have been the old family frient Randolf Hearst. He bought butt loads of statues and columns I know that for sure ( Unless the tour guide was fucking evil bastard filling my void with things unreal) No I remember there beauty . I think them not fake

[scheherazade]

Click Pic to view entertainment. :D

http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/princessbride.jpeg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-66KBi_NM0)

[scheherazade]

This one likewise good for a giggle.....:D

http://cf1.imgobject.com/backdrops/8d2/4bc9367a017a3c57fe0168d2/the-court-jester-original.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a__300nqx0&feature=related)

[quantum_wave]

That might have been the old family frient Randolf Hearst. He bought butt loads of statues and columns I know that for sure ( Unless the tour guide was fucking evil bastard filling my void with things unreal) No I remember there beauty . I think them not fakeI think that was it.

Here in Florida there is a famous mystery castle that was also moved stone by stone:

http://www.labyrinthina.com/coral.htm

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQyGg9dNym4w-7rmpQlt8YIFmacSTlgeJDVxcCyOMJ98LmwVY7m

[KilljoyKlown]

Some more interesting fantasy castles:

The cliffside castle is a great concept to limit where you can be attacked from.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/fantasy_worlds_01.jpg

Red hot lava adds a nice touch to this castle.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/Fantasy_Castle_by_Kseronarogu.jpg

This one you got to love the flying dragons and scenic waterfall.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/Dragon_castle_by_Nagare_Bos.jpg

[Dywyddyr]

Some more interesting fantasy castles:

The cliffside castle is a great concept to limit where you can be attacked from.
Also tends to limit the number of ways you get to run away!

[quantum_wave]

Also tends to limit the number of ways you get to run away!Where is the good ole valor? Fight to the death!

[scheherazade]

Very nice fantasy castles, KJ. A bit of the closet romantic in you?


Also tends to limit the number of ways you get to run away!

Ah......the ever pragmatic and practical presence raises a valid concern.

For that reason, one should keep a horse close to hand, trained to come to it's owner's signal....

http://wallmuralgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Beautiful-Fantasy-Castle-Wallpaper.jpg

[wynn]

Ah......the ever pragmatic and practical presence raises a valid concern.

For that reason, one should keep a horse close to hand, trained to come to it's owner's signal....

To escape from a cliffside castle, one would need a flying dragon, not a horse.

[KilljoyKlown]

Also tends to limit the number of ways you get to run away!

That elevator looks good to me, if I'm not to far back in line.:D

[quantum_wave]

To escape from a cliffside castle, one would need a flying dragon, not a horse.OK, I can see fleeing if the horse or flying dragon is handy, maybe even a flying horse, but only after we have exhausted the hot tar.

http://www.mexicowoods.com/page0/files/page0_blog_entry40_3.jpg

Just getting into the spirit for the Rays baseball game tonight. Look for us on the third base side, upper deck, GO RAYS!

[KilljoyKlown]

If your talking about dragons, I always enjoy the fire breathers.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/Fantasy-Dragon-14084-789948.jpg

This castle from Final Fantasy IV has limited access. Would take a very determined large attack force to beat them.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/FinalFantasyIV.png

This is a grim looking castle is called the dark ones liar.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/thedarkonesliar.jpg

[wynn]

This castle from Final Fantasy IV has limited access. Would take a very determined large attack force to beat them.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/FinalFantasyIV.png

I'm not sure this is a realistically possible bridge.

[KilljoyKlown]

I'm not sure this is a realistically possible bridge.

I see what you mean. I tried to estimate the length of the bridge and it looks to be 200-300 feet at least. They must be using some pretty good cement.:D

[scheherazade]

To escape from a cliffside castle, one would need a flying dragon, not a horse.

If the castle were surrounded by deep enough water, here is another option....:cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEkPQ6xDWMc

[scheherazade]

http://www.wallpaperslot.com/data/media/364/Malbork%20Castle%20of%20Teutonic%20Knights,%20Pome rania%202.jpg


The Castle in Malbork (Polish: Zamek w Malborku, German: Marienburg) is the largest castle in the world by area.It was built in Prussia by the Teutonic Knights, a German Roman Catholic religious order of crusaders, in a form of an Ordensburg fortress. The Order named it Marienburg (Mary's Castle). The town which grew around it was also named Marienburg.

The castle is a classic example of a medieval fortress, and on its completion in 1406 was the world's largest brick Gothic castle.

[KilljoyKlown]

scheherazade

Nice picture including the rainbow. Great looking castle. Seems to be in a very good state of repair. That would suggest it's a big tourist draw and easily pays for itself.

[scheherazade]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3GMhAHmnKg/TkBwU7LuDtI/AAAAAAAAAnk/fsk_erxyrSc/s1600/100_1556.JPG


St. George and the Dragon.
Finns and Swedes love St. George, whose basic story goes more or less as follows:

There was once a dragon that was terrorizing a town. The townspeople had to give the dragon two sheep per day to keep him satisfied. Then the townspeople ran out of sheep, so they started offering up their children, one per day, as determined by lottery. I think that's a pretty quick jump from sheep to children! Shouldn't they have tried pigs or goats or something first? Dogs?

Anyhoo, one day the lot fell to the king's daughter (aka, the princess)!

That's when St. George came wandering by and was like, oh heck no, it was fine when the dragon was eating peasant babies, but not the princess! TOO FAR. So he slayed the dragon, on the condition that everyone convert to Christianity. And everyone (except the already-sacrificed children) lived happily ever after.




http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/279989.jpg


Turku Castle (Finnish: Turun linna, Swedish: Åbo slott) is a monument of Finnish history situated in the city of Turku in Finland. Together with Turku Cathedral, the castle is one of the oldest buildings still in use in Finland. Turku Castle is the largest surviving medieval building in Finland and one of the largest surviving medieval castles in Scandinavia. It stands as a national monument, on the banks of the Aura River, as it has done since the 14th century.

[scheherazade]

Cruising some photos, I came across the following image, titled 'Log Castle.'

http://www.wildernessinquiry.org/images/trip_images/gallery/whiteottercanoe_2.jpg

[scheherazade]

Then there is the Smith Mansion located in Wapiti, Wyoming.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5469975710_b6ae14d391.jpg

http://www.smithmansion.org/

[KilljoyKlown]

Then there is the Smith Mansion located in Wapiti, Wyoming.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5469975710_b6ae14d391.jpg

http://www.smithmansion.org/

Well they do say a home is a mans castle. But I like my castles a little harder to burn down.:D

[Emil]

Sighișoara Citadel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sighi%C8%99oara_Citadel) http://www.realadventures.com/listingimages/1120/1120190/m_1120190b.jpg


Sighisoara, Dracula's castle http://www.descopera.org/wp-content/uploads/sighisoara-turnul-cu-ceas.jpg Dracula's Birthplace http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT2pE9wYnkmBbLlvHcSwH8K9S-RQ5Td3b8rbVQjEMb1TO8b2wXf

[KilljoyKlown]

Emil

Nice pictures, earlier in this thread I posted a picture of Dracula's castle. But I like your pictures better. Thank you for the post.

[NietzscheHimself]

Iv seen a house a guy made to look like a miniature castle. He even had a swimming pool for the moat. I thought it was pretty cool, I'll try to get a picture the next time I go to Alpharetta.

[Steve100]

I used to ( my family still do ) live about 300m from Conisbrough castle. We used to crawl into the grounds through drains as boys.

[KilljoyKlown]

I used to ( my family still do ) live about 300m from Conisbrough castle. We used to crawl into the grounds through drains as boys.

Please post pictures.


NietzscheHimself
Iv seen a house a guy made to look like a miniature castle. He even had a swimming pool for the moat. I thought it was pretty cool, I'll try to get a picture the next time I go to Alpharetta.

Try putting 'Alpharetta Castle' in Google and see if you can find pictures sooner than waiting on your next trip. Although personal pictures are preferred if you have them.

[Steve100]

No pictures. sorry

[KilljoyKlown]

No pictures. sorry

Do the following pictures look familiar? If you want to be able to do pictures send me a PM and I'll give some easy tips to allow you to do as many pictures as you want for free. You have over 2000 posts and shouldn't be having problems with posting pictures.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/979647.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/Aerial_view_of_Conisbrough_Castle_-_geograph_org_uk_-_639358.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/450px-Conisbrough_keep.jpg

[Emil]

Well What can I say, Draculas Castle Bran Transylvania Romania. I was surprised, but had to post it.

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd456/lancewen/castles/DraculasCastleBranTransylvaniaRomania.jpg

Bran Castle. Also called Dracula Castle (what is wrong).
http://www.google.ro/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.olteniabiz-magazin.ro/userfiles/pozeintro/articole-609-castelul-bran.jpg&sa=X&ei=sBSaTqO5C5DIswarhYndAw&ved=0CAwQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNFt2H5upmozIjdrJmiI37h9YlCtGw

[KilljoyKlown]

Bran Castle. Also called Dracula Castle (what is wrong).

Is something wrong, if so I fail to see what it is? Two different shots of the same castle. In the picture you posted I can see some maintenance or reconstruction work going on, but what would you expect with a tourist money maker like that.

[Emil]

Is something wrong, if so I fail to see what it is? Two different shots of the same castle. In the picture you posted I can see some maintenance or reconstruction work going on, but what would you expect with a tourist money maker like that.

I do not know when the photo was taken.

May 27, 2006 - Bran Castle was returned to its rightful owner, Dominic Habsburg.

Bran Castel (http://www.bran-castle.com/en/)

[Me-Ki-Gal]

I do not know when the photo was taken.

May 27, 2006 - Bran Castle was returned to its rightful owner, Dominic Habsburg.

Bran Castel (http://www.bran-castle.com/en/)

Wow That Habsburg name looks like an old Nobels name like Brandenburg

That roof is a roofers nightmare . Give Me Dracula or give Me roofing . I choose Dracula over that roof . Seriously the turret roof section ? No fun at all . Framing it would be o.k. but roofing . Roofers can do that one . Superoofers like "Chad the Brave" Or "Bill Gooden the Good "

[KilljoyKlown]

Wow That Habsburg name looks like an old Nobels name like Brandenburg

That roof is a roofers nightmare . Give Me Dracula or give Me roofing . I choose Dracula over that roof . Seriously the turret roof section ? No fun at all . Framing it would be o.k. but roofing . Roofers can do that one . Superoofers like "Chad the Brave" Or "Bill Gooden the Good "

Only you would think of that. Just how bad is it? Do you think there were any deaths involved in doing that roof. Please describe some of the problems, you see from your point of view and how dangerous they are. I am very interested in castle architecture and construction.

[RedRabbit]

Not as impressive as some of the German ones, but this is the castle at the end of my garden:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/BlarneyCastle3Thesteve.jpg/500px-BlarneyCastle3Thesteve.jpg

[scheherazade]

Not as impressive as some of the German ones, but this is the castle at the end of my garden:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/BlarneyCastle3Thesteve.jpg/500px-BlarneyCastle3Thesteve.jpg

Neat! Your neighborhood castle looks to be in better condition than this one, the ruins of Edlingham Castle.

http://www.globallp.info/UploadFiles/20095763388265.jpg

[RedRabbit]

Neat! Your neighborhood castle looks to be in better condition than this one, the ruins of Edlingham Castle.



To be fair, it (http://www.blarneycastle.ie/) is privately owned and run as a tourist trap site. ;)

[scheherazade]

To be fair, it (http://www.blarneycastle.ie/) is privately owned and run as a tourist trap site. ;)

LOL......Tourists are fair game. If they have the means to travel, then it is customary to drop a bit of coin in supporting the local economy. Besides, castles need upkeep and maintenance also.

Out of curiosity, did you ever kiss the blarney stone in yon castle?

[RedRabbit]

LOL......Tourists are fair game. If they have the means to travel, then it is customary to drop a bit of coin in supporting the local economy. Besides, castles need upkeep and maintenance also.

Out of curiosity, did you ever kiss the blarney stone in yon castle?

True. The town would have most likely died without it and it does make for a 'interesting' Summertime. ;)

I kissed it years ago as a child when I didn't actually live here. I don't know if I got the "gift of the gab" from it mind, as I never could shut up to begin with. No neutral data available I'm afraid.

[scheherazade]

True. The town would have most likely died without it and it does make for a 'interesting' Summertime. ;)

I kissed it years ago as a child when I didn't actually live here. I don't know if I got the "gift of the gab" from it mind, as I never could shut up to begin with. No neutral data available I'm afraid.

From what I have read of your posts on this forum, you seem to be able to communicate your message adequately. That ability is far more to be valued than 'blarney', in my estimation. :)

I like castles and would rather enjoy seeing some of them, preferably not the tourist trap sorts, should circumstances ever permit.

[ScaryMonster]

I've always kind of liked this castle:

http://rocksclan.com/images/Howl__s_Moving_Castle_by_D_TAILOR.jpg

Howls Moving Castle was awesome!

[KilljoyKlown]

I've always kind of liked this castle:

Howls Moving Castle was awesome!

If I was an attacking force, I'd try an take out at least one leg, and see what happened.:D

[KilljoyKlown]

Thanks for sharing this information.....
I like it

Your welcome, I have to count this thread as one of my favorites.