Amazing, Wonderful, and Breathtaking European Castles

Edinburgh Castle is a historic castle in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. It stands on Castle Rock, which has been inhabited by humans since the Iron Age, though the nature of the early settlement is unknown. The rock has had a royal castle since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and it served as a royal residence until 1633. The castle's residential role declined beginning in the 15th century, and by the 17th century, it was primarily used as a military barracks with a large garrison. Its significance as part of Scotland's national heritage was recognized increasingly beginning in the early nineteenth century, and various restoration projects have been undertaken over the last century and a half.

The Château de Chambord in Chambord, Centre-Val de Loire, France, is one of the world's most recognizable châteaux due to its distinctive French Renaissance architecture, which combines traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The structure, which was never finished, was built by King Francis I of France.

Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built as a hunting lodge for Francis I, who also had royal residences in Blois and Amboise. The Château de Chambord's original design is attributed to Italian architect Domenico da Cortona; Leonardo da Vinci may also have been involved or influenced the design.

Eltz Castle (German: Burg Eltz) is a medieval castle in the hills above the Moselle in Germany, between Koblenz and Trier. It is still owned by a branch of the same family (the Eltz family) that lived there thirty-three generations ago in the 12th century. The only castles in the Eifel region that have never been destroyed are Bürresheim Castle, Eltz Castle, and Lissingen Castle.