Fascinating, evocative and full of hidden wonders.

Any castle has a story to tell, and discovering it is a truly amazing journey.

Medieval castles are scattered all over Europe: from Spain to England to, of course, Italy, every country is full of wonderful fortresses that hold enormous artistic and historical value.

Let’s discover the most beautiful European castles and get inspired for your next trip. In fact, every country preserves traces of its past, and medieval castles in Europe can be very different from each other indeed. Ogni paese infatti conserva tracce del suo passato e i castelli medievali in Europa possono essere davvero molto diversi l’uno dall’altro.

Medieval castles in Italy

Let’s start right with the medieval castles we can visit in Italy.

• Gargonza Castle, in Tuscany, a few kilometers from Siena and Arezzo. The peculiarity of Gargonza is that there is not only the castle but the whole village is perfectly preserved and every building tells the story of the past centuries.
• Castel Del Monte, in Andria, Puglia. A splendid medieval castle dating back to the 13th century. The distinctive octagonal shape, with a tower at each corner, is incredibly spectacular and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
• Less well known but truly impressive is Asolo Castle, which is located right in the town center. During the Middle Ages walls were built to connect it to the Rocca, making a visit to the castle even more interesting.

Of course, these are just some of the medieval castles to visit in Italy.

There are numerous villages and fortresses they enclose.

Medieval castles in Britain

Britain is a land full of wonderful fortresses, built over the centuries for defensive purposes.

From England to Scotland, here are some European castles in the United Kingdom worth visiting.

• Windsor Castle is by far the most famous, oldest and largest in the world to still be inhabited. It was built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and has been the Royal Residence for over 950 years.
• Edinburgh Castle was erected as early as 638 as a defensive bastion against the Celts. Cited as the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth, it has witnessed from its prime location the struggles between the English and Scots over the centuries.
• Cowny Castle in Wales is another of Europe’s most fascinating castles to visit. A medieval fortress built by Edward I in the 13th century, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Its 8 towers are truly spectacular.

Medieval castles in the rest of Europe

Of course, all of Europe is dotted with beautiful castles that can still be visited today, each with its own distinctive architecture.

• Chenonceau Castle in France, built in the 11th century. It is a very characteristic structure where different styles meet, which gives the castle a unique and unmistakable appearance.
• In Poland, on the other hand, we find Malbork Castle, a few kilometers from Gdansk, the largest brick fortress ever built. On the eastern bank of the Nogat River, it was built in the 13th century and is now the largest fortified monument in Europe.
• Alcazar in Segovia, Spain, was originally built as a fortress. It actually stands on a hill between two rivers, but over the centuries it has also served as a royal palace, state prison, and military academy. The earliest documentation of the castle dates back to the 12th century.

Come and visit the castle of Gargonza

If you want to take a trip back in time and discover the real Tuscan Middle Ages, we are waiting for you in Gargonza!

Ours is in fact one of the most characteristic European medieval castles you can find in Italy, perfectly preserved. Every single building in the village tells an ancient and fascinating story.

Book your stay in Gargonza