Built for Archduke Maximilian, part of the powerful Hapsburg family, the Castello di Miramare overlooks the Gulf of Trieste. Along with a regal and eye-catching palace in a Gothic Revival style, the grounds include fifty-four acres of meadows, forests, and shorelines.
The castle’s construction began in 1855. There are stables, a park featuring numerous tropical species of trees and plants, and a large museum. Though more of a mansion than a castle, it went through World War I and World War II, as well as numerous other smaller conflicts, and it served as a headquarters for various German, New Zealand, British, and American forces at different times.
Glamis Castle – Angus, Scotland
Glamis Castle, in the home of the Lyon family and the current Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, has been around since the thirteen hundreds. If you're imagining the famous Shakespeare play Macbeth within its walls, then you're doing the exact same thing that Shakespeare did.
It was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (wife of King George VI). Their second daughter, the sister of the current Queen of England, was born there. With walls that are a meter thick, it's ready to withstand any and all attacks – and due to the tumultuous war history of Scotland and England, it had its work cut out for it.
Pretty, Pretty Ghosts
There are lots of stories and fables about this old structure – it's possible Shakespeare knew what he was doing when he wrote about ghosts appearing to Macbeth. King Malcolm II and his son Duncan I both died in the castle under mysterious circumstances.
There's also a Monster of Glamis – it's said to be a hideously deformed child, who stayed in the castle all his life, and when he died, his suite of rooms was bricked up. Still, the interior is richly-designed and, as far as we can tell, free of ghosts.
Visit the Archduke's Home
There's much to see on this sprawling estate, even if you aren't interested in the outdoor amenities. Visitors will be able to see Maximilian's chambers and those of Charlotte, his consort; the guest rooms; the information room, which details the castle's history and the park's construction; and many more.
Each room is decorated with the original furnishings, ornaments, and furniture from the middle of the nineteenth century. Visitors can also take in the throne room, which has recently been restored to its former splendor. The park is open to the public free of charge, and thousands of tourists also take a tour of the building every year.
Buda Castle – Budapest, Hungary
When you visit Budapest and take in the huge city, one building will stand out: Buda Castle, a huge palace on Buda hill, overlooking the Danube River. This immense structure is the focal point of Budapest's Castle District.
It's been undergoing constant construction since the fourteenth century, and during World War II it was destroyed. After the war ended, it was rebuilt with a simplified Stalin Baroque style. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Calling this castle historic is an understatement since it's gone through wars, regime changes, the Holy Roman Empire, and numerous updates, all while reigning over Budapest.