CASTLES
CASTLES, PALACES, FORTRESSES AND FORTIFICATIONS
A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages by the nobility or royalty and by military orders but usually considered to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble.
This is distinct from a palace, which is not fortified, or from a fortress which was not always a residence for royalty or nobility.
Twickel Castle is a protected historic country estate with 81 complex parts near Delden in the province of Overijssel in The Netherlands. The earliest mention of Twickel is in 1347, when Herman van Twickelo buys the Eysinck house near Delden. This house will later become Twickel Castle. The last baron of Twickel, Rodolphe Frédéric van Heeckeren van Wassenaer, had the house restored around 1900 and fitted with modern conveniences. Since then, almost nothing has changed in the castle. 📸 May 2024
The Broeltorens (Broel Towers) at the Leie River are one of the most important symbols of the Belgian city of Kortrijk (Courtrai). Although they look identical, the towers were not built at the same time. The Southern tower, also known as the Speyetoren, was built in 1385 to control the traffic on the Leie (Lys river). This tower was part of the fortified fence of the first medieval castle of the Counts of Flanders. The Northern tower, known as the Ingelborchtoren was built in 1415 and was used as an armory. The towers are, together with the Artillerytower, the last remaining vestiges of the old city fortifications. 📸 May 2024
Château de la Roche Courbon at Saint-Porchaire in Bordeaux, on the road between Saintes and Rochefort in France is a private estate but open to the public. Built in the 15th century on a rocky spur, in the 17th century this fortified castle was converted into a comfortable dwelling. It has been a family property for 3 generations, which since its resurrection by Paul Chénereau, the grandfather of the current owner, has continued to open its doors to visitors to share the passion for heritage.📸 April 2024
The Royal Palace of La Magdalena is a building located on the Magdalena Peninsula, opposite Mouro Island, in the city of Santander (Cantabria, Spain), and was built between 1909 and 1911 as summer residence for the Spanish royal family. In 1977, Juan de Borbón sold the building to the city for 150 million pesetas. In 1982 it was declared a historical-artistic monument. 📸 April 2024
The Pena National Palace is a Romanticist castle in São Pedro de Penaferrim, in the municipality of Sintra, on the Portuguese Riviera. The castle stands on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains and was one of the main residences of the Portuguese royal family during the 19th century. The palace was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. 📸 Dec. 2023
Aigues Mortes is a commune in the Gard department in the Occitania region of southern France. The medieval city walls surrounding the city are well preserved. The name "Aigues-Mortes" was attested in 1248 in the Latinized form Aquae Mortuae, which means "dead water" and comes from the surrounding marshes and ponds. The village has never had potable water. 📸 Sept. 2023
Maison de Champagne Pommery and Villa Demoiselle Vranken. Designed by architectures Alphonse Gosset and Charles Gozier. Madame, the widow Pommery, wanted the buildings of her winery to evoke the Elizabethan style in honour of her many clients from England. Registrated as an UNESCO Heritage and built prior to 1900 in Reims, France. 📸 June 2023.
The fortress "Chateau de Rochefort", built between 1150 and 1250 on a rocky spur overlooking the Sioule, was part of the military system of the fief of the lords of Bourbon. Its specially military architecture did not include any residential or sumptuous development. It was not until the 17th century that a main building was built inside the fortifications and the lounges were created in the purest Louis XIII style. In 1886, under the direction of the architect Moreau, the castle was restored and a closed gallery was created. Located in Saint Bonnet de Rochefort in the Allier department of France. 📸 June 2023.
The "Amsterdamse Poort", built around 1486 and the only city gate left from the old fortified wall around Haarlem in the Netherlands. 📸 April 2023.
Château de la Palice in Lapalisse in the Allier department of France is property from the Chabannes Palice family since 1430. 📸 April 2023.
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