Alcázar of Segovia: Fairy-Tale Royal Castle of Castile
Medieval stone fortress in Segovia, Spain. Rising like the bow of a ship above the confluence of two rivers, once home to Queen Isabella I.
Castles, Palaces & Royal Strongholds
Explore centuries of monarchical ambition, defensive engineering, and architectural grandeur from European cliffside citadels to East Asian imperial palaces.
Alhambra: Moorish Citadel and Royal Palace of Granada
Palace and fortress complex in Andalusia, Spain. A breathtaking masterpiece of Islamic architecture, Arabesque carvings, and serene courtyard fountains.
Bran Castle: Transylvania’s Legendary Cliffside Fortress
Medieval stronghold near Brașov, Romania. Perched on a 200-foot rock above the mountain pass, celebrated internationally as the legendary home of Dracula.
Château Frontenac: Quebec’s Grand Alpine Palace Above the St. Lawrence
Historic grand railway hotel in Quebec City, Canada. Rising over Cap Diamant, recognized as the world’s most photographed hotel and an iconic Canadian landmark.
Chillon Castle: Medieval Island Fortress on Lake Geneva
Island castle near Montreux, Switzerland. Rising out of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps, celebrated by Lord Byron and preserved through eight centuries of history.
Edinburgh Castle: Historic Fortress Atop Castle Rock
Ancient royal stronghold dominating the skyline of Edinburgh, Scotland. Built on volcanic crags, housing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
Forbidden City: Imperial Palace of China’s Ming and Qing Dynasties
Vast palace complex in the heart of Beijing, China. Comprising 980 surviving buildings and nearly 9,000 rooms, home to 24 Chinese emperors over 500 years.
Himeji Castle: Japan’s Elegant White Heron Fortress
Hilltop feudal castle complex in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese defensive architecture, famed for its white-plastered walls.