Stirling Castle is said to be a “brooch” that holds Scotland together, situated right between the Highlands and the Lowlands. This ancient residence was once home to King James IV. The castle was also a symbol of Scotland’s independence. During the numerous wars and conflicts between England and Scotland, the castle changed several hands and has been sieged at least eight times.
Sitting atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, its strong defensive position made it critical for any army who wanted to control the land. The most recent was only a few hundred years ago, in 1746. The castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
Pena Palace – Sintra, Portugal
Atop its mountain outside Lisbon, a Romanticist castle from the Middle Ages brims with color. King Ferdinand II of Germany built this residence for Queen Maria II of Portugal. He placed it on a beautiful spot that allows not only a good look at the countryside but also a panoramic view of Portugal's Riviera.
With bright yellows, vivid reds, and even cool, soothing blues, the exterior design of this castle catches the eye and demands attention. Completed in 1854, the castle is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. It's available to tour and is also used for state functions.
Portugal's Prettiest Palace
The interior of the palace wasn't fully finished and furnished until 1910. Tour guests can now enter and take in the eye-popping vaulted ceilings and the incredibly detailed wall frescoes, stuccos, and painted walls.
Notable rooms include The Chapel, The Royal Dining Room, and The Noble Room. There is also the Kitchen – which is big enough to house all the cooks needed for such a structure, which may have seen hundreds and hundreds of guests for official functions. The interior serves as the summer residence of the family and is home to numerous royal collections.
The Greatest Tapestries in the World
No castle is complete without the hangings and trappings of royalty, and Stirling Castle is no exception. In fact, the tapestry hanging in the Queen's Presence Chamber, a recreation of The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries, took years to complete, and cost more than two million pounds. And that's just a recreation!
After years of being forgotten, the royal residences (though they aren't in use) have been restored to their original states. The castle is the headquarters of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. However, the sole surviving unit of the regiment, the Balaclava Company, has been garrisoned at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh since 2014.
Matsumoto Castle – Matsumoto, Japan
Japanese Hirajiros are five- or six-tiered castles. There are only five of them in Japan. Matsumoto is the oldest example of these beautiful and iconic structures. It was constructed at the start of the sixteenth century. Nicknamed Crow Castle due to its black color, it dates back to the Sengoku period.
Known as a flatland castle (because it wasn't built on a hill or amid rivers), the full defensive capabilities include an extensive system of inter-connecting walls, moats, and gatehouses. Maintaining its original wooden interiors and external stonework, it is listed as a National Treasure of Japan.