There’s nothing like being swept up in the fantasy and adventure of a great Disney movie.
We admit, there are some elements that are a little outdated, but the looming appearance of a towering castle always makes a dramatic impression.
From Beauty and the Beast to Cinderella, Snow White and Frozen, each stunning castle home plays a memorable part in drawing us in to each story.
And captivated we are – it’s why the majestic castle in California’s Disneyland, based on the castle from Sleeping Beauty, is continually one of the theme park’s most-popular attractions.
But what if you want to act out your fairy-tale dreams in real life? Well, there are a number of castles still standing tall you can visit.
Here are six of the most beautiful historic places to add to your bucket list, including some that were actually used as the basis for Disney’s stories.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany famously inspired the castle in the Disney film Sleeping Beauty as well as the castle in Disneyland, California. Nestled on a rock ledge in the foothills of the Alps in Bavaria, Germany, the castle was built by Bavaria’s King Louis II in 1868 and was never completed. It is open for visitors year0round, with tours through the 14 ostentatious rooms, including the throne room, that were among those completed.
Château de Chambord, France
A châteaux rather than a castle, but a very famous building nonetheless, thanks to its distinctive French Renaissance architecture. With building starting in 1519, the structure blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. Visitors can walk among the buildings, terraces, the 18th century kitchens, vineyards, stables and formal gardens.
Mont Saint-Michel, France
The Kingdom of Corona in the 2010 Disney hit film ‘Tangled’ is based on Mont-Saint-Michel. The tidal island in Normandy, France holds a dramatic abbey, commune and fortress-like walls which combine to give a castle-like appearance. The island can be reached only by a causeway where thousands of visitors a day stream in to experience the museums, village retailers and restaurants within its walls.
Alcázar of Segovia, Spain
The Alcázar of Segovia is a medieval castle and fortress in the city of Segovia, in Castile and León, Spain. It has existed since at least the 12th century and was used as the inspiration for the castle in the 1937 original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Visitors can explore the rooms of the former royal palace as well as many halls, secret passageways a museum and military archives – including a number of shining suits of armor.
Bran Castle, Romania
The red-roofed castle was built in 1377 and is a national monument and landmark in Transylvania. Of course, it is better known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’ thanks to its fitting the description as the home of the title character in Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’. The castle is now a museum dedicated to displaying art and furniture of the period.
Bobolice Castle, Poland
The small but beautiful castle in the village of Bobolice was originally built in the 1300s. The castle was in significant disrepair until more recent years, having undergone extensive reconstruction before reopening to visitors as a museum in 2011.
