Tag Archives: Castles

Corvin Castle, Hunedoara, Romania.

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In the heart of Transylvania, one of Europe’s largest castles looks like it sits atop a rocky bluff with naught but a thin bridge allowing access.
But this is simply Corvin Castle, which looks like something straight out of a fairytale, largely because restorers thought that it should.
Built in the mid-15th century, the castle was the work of Hungarian military leader John Hunyadi, who built the tall structure over the remains of a keep built by Charles I.
It consists of a series of rectangular halls that are connected by both circular and rectangular towers that were used for both defense and as prison cells. The elaborate architecture was designed in a rich gothic style, that accentuates the already impressive architecture.

The castle was kept in regal condition during Hunyadi’s lifetime, but after he died, the castle fell into swift decline.
It was not until the 17th century that there was more interest in restoring the castle. As the restorations began, the workers redesigned the castle somewhat to reflect what they considered a gothic castle should look like, which explains much of its currently fanciful look.
A number of legends are associated with the castle, the most prominent among them being that Vlad the Impaler spent some seven years in the dungeons of Corvin Castle, a stay which resulted in his eventual madness.
Even though this is unlikely to be true, Corvin Castle still seems like just the sort of place where a Dracula might have been held.
Source: Corvin Castle – Hunedoara, Romania – Atlas Obscura

Richard the Lionheart’s Castle.

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Richard the Lionheart was once king of this imposing castle on the banks of the Seine that features in Kieron Connolly’s latest book, Abandoned Castles.
The world is littered with castles, once majestic but now standing as ghostly reminders to the way we once lived.
Château Gaillard was built on the banks of the Seine between 1196 and 1198 on the orders of Richard the Lionheart, (King of England and Duke of Normandy).
The stronghold – north-west of Paris – was as close as possible to the border between Richard’s Normandy and the territories of the French king.
It was supposed to be impregnable but fell to the French in 1204.
The chateau is among 100 forts featured in Abandoned Castles by Kieron Connolly (Amber Books,).
The world is littered with castles, once majestic but now standing as ghostly reminders to the way we once lived.
Image Credit: Photograph by Francis Cormon/Alamy
Source: Travel photo of the week: The Lionheart’s castle, Normandy | Travel | The Guardian

Paronella Castle, North Queensland.

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Image Credit: Photograph: Tommaso Lizzul
Since childhood, baker José Paronella had dreamed of building a Moorish castle.
In 1913, the adventurous then 26-year-old left his village in Catalonia and moved to tropical northern Australia. There, he eventually found wealth as a sugar cane farmer, and was able to pursue his dream.
In 1929, Paronella purchased a plot of rainforest in Queensland and began building his castle by hand, using sand, clay, old train tracks, gravel from the nearby creek, and wood taken from abandoned houses.
By 1935, the structure had expanded to include a pool, cafe, cinema and ballroom, as well as tennis courts and villa gardens with a grand staircase – all open to the public.
After Paronella’s death in 1948, the building suffered decades of neglect, but conservation efforts mean the castle is alive again.
Lush tropical plants have encroached upon and mingled with Paronella’s hand-built stairs and fountains, making them look like they sprouted from their natural surroundings.
• paronellapark.com.au
via 10 of the world’s most unusual wonders – chosen by Atlas Obscura | Travel | The Guardian

Magic of Quninta da Regaleira.

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Palace-of-Mystery-Quinta-da-Regaleira-by-Taylor-Moore7__880I am a Canadian photographer Taylor Moore.
I have captured the magic and mystery of the legendary ‘Quinta da Regaleira’ located in the UNESCO village of Sintra, Portugal.
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‘Regaleira’ built by (the owner) Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro in conjunction with the renowned Italian opera set designer and architect Luigi Manini.
These two noblemen conspired to create a place of divine magic and mystery embodying a combination of styles including Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Manueline.
I think that with underground caves, lakes, towers, and endless gardens the place is incredible to photograph day or night.
More info: sintramagic.com | Facebook
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via The Palace Of Mystery: My Pictures Of “Quinta Da Regaleira” | Bored Panda.

Dunluce Castle, County Antrim.

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Dunluce Castle, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Category: nature.
I was due to catch a train and didn’t have much time, so I just took a few pictures quickly.
When I got home I reluctantly inserted the memory card and I saw this picture.
And I hadn’t even realised there was cloud like that on the day.
Photograph: Rashid Khaidanov/National Geographic Traveller UK
Source: National Geographic Traveller photography competition finalists | Travel | The Guardian

Fire & Ice Castle by Sam Scholes.

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Fire ball in the ice castle. (Photo by Sam Scholes/Caters News)
Published by dmitry in Art
A photographer has discovered a spectacular way of keeping warm during winter – using fire to heat up icy locations.
Sam Scholes uses long-exposures to capture the movement of fire in front of ice-covered backdrops.
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Light swirl in the ice castle. (Photo by Sam Scholes/Caters News)
After lighting steel wool his friend Scott Stringham swings the flaming object in order to make swirling patterns.
The result of this technique – captured at Midway Ice Castles in Utah is a vibrant image with the warm light dancing across the cold scenes.
via Magical Fire and Ice Castle » Design You Trust. Design, Culture & Society..