Spilberk Castle

Spilberk Castle in Brno (Czech Republic)

Spilberk - it's an old castle, which is located on a hilltop in the Czech city of Brno (south Moravia). It is believed that the first stone fortress was built in the first half of the XIII century, one of the kings of the dynasty Premyslid, and construction was completed by his successor, King of Bohemia Otakar II. If you are planning a budget trip to the Czech Republic, have a look at tripvariator.ru - there are sure to find a suitable alternative.

In the XIII century the castle was the main royal residence, and in the middle of the XIV century, it became a place of meeting moraviyskih Margraves. But the further fate as most other medieval fortresses, was not so rosy: Spilberk castle turned into a huge fortress in the Baroque style, which, after a few centuries, will go down in history as one of the most famous prisons in the history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Later the castle Spilberk served as military barracks, and today it is a popular tourist attraction and part-time Czech national treasure.

In 1620, after losing the Battle of the White Mountain on November 8, the main opponents of the Habsburgs were imprisoned in the castle Spilberk for several years. It is worth noting that Protestants were prisoners of the castle, and they were followed by other dissidents, including the uprising of 1848-49, but also in the fortress served his term as hardened criminals and petty crooks.

The last group of political prisoners, among whom there were about two hundred Polish revolutionaries, went to prison Spilberk in 1846. In 1855, the Austrian Emperor Franz Josef dismissed the prisoners, after which he ordered the castle Spilberk were organized military barracks, which remained in the castle for nearly a century.

In 1960 the castle was opened Spilberk Brno City Museum.

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Schwerin Castle

Schwerin Castle in Germany

In Germany, a lot of attractions, including the ancient castles. One of the most striking examples can be considered majestic Schwerin Castle, which was built on its own island in the city of Schwerin. Many believe that the most beautiful castle looks from the air, but its interiors and gardens deserve far less attention.

Now the building is Schwerin Castle parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Previously, it was used as a residence for the Dukes, then as a banquet hall for weddings. Like many other objects of this type, the castle has undergone several destructions and reconstructions. To date, it is included in UNESCO World Heritage Site and is protected by all available means.

If you plunge into the story, then we should start with 923 AD, when the island is generally located fort. In the 12th century the German nobles came here and destroyed almost to strengthen the foundation. However, in the future, it was decided that this place can be used for the construction of a massive structure. Work began on the construction of a new fort, and subsequently he was repeatedly refined and modified. All this has made the object habitable royals.

In the 16th century it almost completely lost its defenses and turned into a comfortable residence for top officials. During the following centuries the castle was rebuilt, but suddenly raided by the Thirty Years War and in the country there were other concerns. Only in the 19th century reconstruction finally completed, and everything was done was in the French Renaissance style.

The story of the castle is not over. In December 1913, there occurred a large fire which destroyed about a third of the building. His newly restored and turned into a museum, as in 1918, the Duke officially resigned. Now here again is the government, and constant renovation turned into a tradition of work on the construction modifications are carried out in our time.

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Chats-worth House

Chats-worth House

(A Harmonious Combination of Luxury with Art)

Manor Chatsworth House (Chats-worth House) is considered one of the most luxurious in England, at the time the writer Daniel Defoe called it the most beautiful in the world. Refinement of the architectural composition of the palace complex allow many experts compare this vibrant cultural attractions of the country with the famous castle Howard or Blenheim Palace.

The construction of this beautiful manor was started in the fifties of the sixteenth century, when Elizabeth of Hardwick and her husband Sir Cavendish purchased Chatsworth estate. Was originally built a beautiful house, and not far from it to build a hunting lodge and a tower.

In the seventeenth century the estate passed into the possession of the Dukes of Devonshire, who initially almost nothing changes in the architecture of the buildings, but the interior of the palace added beautiful collections of paintings, drawings and coins. Large-scale reconstruction of the estate was held in the middle of the eighteenth century by the famous architect James Paine was completed a new wing in the northern part of the estate.

Amazing decoration estates become garden, which covers an area of ​​forty acres and park area of ​​four hectares. In those days, the gardens of the estate Chatsworth House considered the most famous in Europe.

It is noteworthy that in our time are the descendants of the owners of the estate of the Dukes of Devonshire. The doors of the mansion with magnificent art collections open to the public, as Chatsworth House rents for filming movies.

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Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle in Ireland

The west of Ireland is one of the most interesting sights - Ashford Castle (Ashford Castle). It was built on the shores of Lough Corrib, near the Congo River, near the village of Cong.

It was built of the family de Bourg in 1228. Dynasty founded by William de Bourg, who in 1203 was able to defeat the rulers O'Konnarov. He soon died from the disease, and his children to do the construction of the castle, which was owned by the family for over 300 years. In 1584 the governor of Connacht became Sir Richard Bingham, and many families, including Burke, took part in the uprising against the government.

Bingham ordered to hang a few members of this illustrious family and bulldoze some locks that belonged to them, and also decided to confiscate all property. Was a series of clashes between Bingham and family de Burkov, but in 1587 it was possible to conclude an armistice. In 1589, became the owner of the castle Ashford Bingham. However, the queen had already in 1596, tired of his cruelty and making sure that Bingham could not cope with the rebellious Irish, withdrew him from the country. In 1715 the castle became the property of Baron Oranmore Brown, who has built on its territory elegant palace.

In 1852, he decided to buy Benjamin Lee Guinness. He was quite a wealthy man, and did much to preserve the monuments of Irish heritage. The castle was enlarged Ashford area, made new roads, planted trees, as well as to it was attached two wings. His son, who was granted the title of Lord Ardilona, ​​after his father's death most of the time spent in the castle and put a lot of effort and money in its development.

For a while, the castle belonged to the family until it was sold to Noel Haggard. It was a well-known entrepreneur in the hospitality industry who turned Ashford hotel. It often rested wealthy John Mulcahy, who so loved the castle, he decided to buy it. Following the acquisition of Ashford he spent restoration, increasing the size of the building and furnish lawns and gardens. Gradually, the castle became the best hotel in Ireland. Some of the rooms "modernize" setting benq projector to show movies. Projectors of this type can be purchased at vse-elementarno.ru. Then lock several times resold.

Now this magnificent structure, which once inhabited by celebrities such as John Lennon, President Reagan, Brad Pitt and others. This five-star hotel, in which 85 rooms and several exquisitely decorated rooms. Visitors will enjoy a wonderful kitchen, a wellness center with sauna, spa treatments and with all modern amenities. In 2012, he was recognized as the best resort in Ireland.

Sure, it's a historic building - the most interesting architectural monument, where the tourist can, not looking up from the modern world with all its amenities in touch with the history of Ireland.

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Inveraray Castle

Inveraray Castle in Scotland (United Kingdom)

Castles of Scotland - this is something special and unique. Once the construction of fortifications was a necessity, since constantly were wars between countries, and sometimes between neighboring clans. But if medieval castles, fortresses affect its severity and inaccessibility, the Scottish castles, built by following the XVII century, distinguished elegance, sophistication and at the same time some special sublimity. It is in this palace of the fairy tale is the Castle Inveraray (Inveraray Castle), which can still be seen on the shores of Loch Fyne. This beautiful building, built of local stone, which gives the castle an amazing greenish-blue tint.

The castle was built relatively recently, in 1745, on the site of the ruins. Manage the project, made by Sir John Vanbrugh, architects Roger Morris and William Adams. Palace made in the Gothic Revival style. In 1877 there was a strong fire, after which it was necessary to reconstruct a building. Then we decided to add towers that made the castle even more beautiful and easily recognizable.

The castle was the property of the Campbells, who were one of the most powerful and influential clans of Scotland. Until now their descendants live in the castle of Inveraray, which is their own, so in some parts of the building tourists are not allowed. Indoors there are shops for tourists, where you can even buy products for the office.

The interiors of the castle, designed by Robert Milne, magnificent and luxurious. It is in Inveraray Castle first appeared bathroom inside the building. Here you can see antique furniture, porcelain collection, as well as a collection of paintings, among which is the famous work Rebёrna, Ramsay, Gainsborough. A special pride of the castle - his Arms hall, which, moreover, is the highest room of Scotland - ceiling height is located at 21 meters. Here assembled a magnificent collection of weapons, namely swords, shields and spears, some of which could take part in the Battle of Kollodene.

You can view and save drums, banners. Tourists are allowed to inspect the salon for guest’s Victorian room where you can admire antique furniture, as well as a collection of Oriental and European porcelain. Around the castle lie the magnificent gardens. There is at the castle and its secrets. Talk about the secret passages, secret rooms, and the ghosts of dead harpist who likes to roam the halls.

Amazingly beautiful, both inside and outside, Inveraray Castle will move from the modern world metropolises in a measured way of life in Scotland. It seems unusual that next to the bustling cities still stand true castles in which they live heirs of high-profile names, as if it was not these centuries, for which the world has changed beyond recognition.

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Alcantara Bridge

Alcantara Bridge in Toledo (Spain)

Those who happen to be in Toledo worth a visit one of the oldest bridges of the city - the bridge of Alcantara (Puente de Alcántara), located at the foot of the castle of San Servanando. He spread over the Tagus River. The name of the bridge comes from the Arabic word "al-Qantara," which means "bridge". It is not necessary to be confused with the Alcántara Bridge, which is located in the province of Caceres. Although the names are similar, and they have, but they are two completely different structure. What unites them except what sailing vessel used by them Tohatsu outboard motors.

Once upon a time, until the XIII century, it was the only bridge across which numerous pilgrims to enter the city. Prior to his appearance there were only crossing made by the ancient Romans. But in the year 886 on the site Moors started to work on this bridge. But he did not survived to our times, in 1257, the bridge collapsed due to heavy flooding.

But later, when the country was ruled by Alfonso X, built a bridge of Alcantara, which we can see so far. This famous bridge consists of a Double Arch spans, under one of which flows the river Tagus. In X-XI had appeared two turrets. The bridge is not just repaired. It is known that in 1484 worked on the restoration of the inner arch of the bridge, and in 1721 changed the outer tower and the bridge itself has undergone restoration in 1786. The bridge had to be witnessed bloody battles, of which there were many, and once the residents of Toledo decided to destroy it, to win over the Portuguese.

Interesting gate Alcantara, also known as "double-gate access." If the enemy, rammed the gates, could knock out a massive door, he would have had to cross a small courtyard and break the second door, but it would not do simply because it was difficult to expand the ram in a small space courtyard. While the attackers were going to be with the forces and preparing for the assault, the defenders could pull fresh troops. On the right side of the bridge, right by the river you can see the structure of Artificio Juanelo, which was built in the XVI century. It allowed the defenders of the fortress down to fetch water during the siege.

This bridge can be seen on the famous painting by El Greco's "View of Toledo". For a long time it only connects the city and the nearby hills, while the Arabs decided to build a second bridge - San Martin. Now the bridge of Alcantara - a fairly well-known landmark, which come not only tourists, but also the residents of the city, as There are stunning views of Toledo, as well as the famous castle of San Servando.

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Gastelugache Island

Gastelugache Island and its famous bridge (Spain)

Gastelugache (his full name San Juan de Gastelugache) - is a small island located in the north of Spain, in the Bay of Biscay. On the island is very beautiful nature, but the sight of him did not it. The fact that there is a famous bridge, which consists of a staircase of 237 steps. They must climb all those who want to visit the tiny hermitage on the top.

There on the island Gastelugache and a church built by the Templars in the tenth century. There remained a large number of noteworthy items. For example, donations from sailors who once survived a terrible shipwreck and want to thank God for the miraculous rescue. Narrow stone bridge was built specifically to connect the mainland with the island. Walk on it - this is the real adventure, especially if the sea observed excitement. From the bridge and steps can be observed breathtaking views that are forever imprinted in the memory, because of its beauty.

If someone wants to count the number of steps on the bridge, it can happen amazing story. The thing is that there are different information as to how many rungs in the ladder. Someone says that their 237, and others counted only 232, or even 229 steps. It is best to go to the island independently of San Juan de Gastelugache and start counting. Vicinity of the island is often visited by divers, and if you belong to one of them, be sure to browse the catalog of watches for diving and choose some for yourself.

Such a beautiful and relatively affordable to visit facilities not so much, especially if you take into account the real architectural monuments. As already mentioned above, the church on the island was built in the 10th century, and the bridge itself is no less a story. All this makes the island Gastelugache desirable place for the voyage.

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