Although designed and built for the prominent purpose of defence, today these most amazing castles from around the globe seem like something from a fairytale world… from solid strongholds to oriental fortresses and highly decorative palaces.

Hohenzollern Castle – Germany

Hohenzollern Castle Germany - Most Amazing Castles

Castle Howard – England

Castle Howard - Most Amazing Castles

Alcázar of Segovia – Spain

Alcázar of Segovia - Most Amazing Castles

Himeji Castle – Japan

Himeji Castle - Most Amazing Castles

Prague Castle – The Czech Republic

Prague castle

Peleş Castle – Romania

Peleş Castle - Most Amazing Castles

Chambord Castle – France

Chambord Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle – Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle

Catherine Palace – Russia

Catherine Palace

Matsumoto Castle – Japan

Matsumoto Castle

Burg Eltz Castle – Germany

Burg Eltz Castle - Most Amazing Castles

Eilean Donan Castle – Scotland

Eilean Donan Castle

Neuchâtel Castle – Switzerland

Neuchâtel Castle

Guaita Fortress – San Marino

Guaita Fortress

Conwy Castle – Wales

Sunset at Conwy Castle, Conwy, North Wales

Mont Saint Michel – France

Mont Saint Michel

Hohensalzburg Castle – Austria

Hohenzollern Castle - Germany

Chillon Castle – Switzerland

Chillon Castle

Kilkenny Castle – Ireland

Kilkenny Castle

Prague Castle – Prague

Prague Castle

Bodiam Castle – England

Bodiam Castle