Fairytale Castle in Germany: Eltz Castle

According to its welcome message on its official website, Eltz Castle is considered “the most beautiful castle in Europe”, a “fairy tale in stone” and the epitome of a knight’s castle. It is located in Gräflich Eltz'sche, Kastellanei Burg Eltz, D-56294 Wierschem, Germany.

It is a medieval castle nestled in the hills above the Moselle near Koblenz and Trier, Germany. It is still inhabited by members of the House of Eltz who occupied the castle since the 12th century.

The current occupant who managed the estate is Count Johann-Jakob zu Eltz. His parents, Countess Sophie zu Eltz and Count Dr. Karl zu Eltz had taken over the management of Eltz Castle in 2006 after the death of Karl’s father, they passed it on to their son Johann-Jakob in 2018.

Eltz Castle. Photo: burg-eltz.de

The castle stands on a 70-meter-high along rock spur bounded on three sides by the river Elzbach. The surrounding Eltz Forest has been declared a nature reserve by Flora-Fauna-Habitat and Natura 2000.

The castle was founded during the Roman period. With the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the late 15th century, the area was conquered by the Franks. However, with the division of Charlemagne's empire, the land was given to his son, Louis the Pious. 

During this period, the site was occupied by a simple manor hall with an earthen palisade. Years later, the noble House of Eltz began work on the Platteltz built on the site of the old manor hall. This remains the oldest part of the castle. 

By 1157 the fortress was an important part of the Holy Roman Empire under Frederick Barbarossa and continued to protect the trade routes from the Moselle Valley and the Eifel region.

Today, Eltz Castle is open to the public from April to November. Operation is daily, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Ticket price: Adult: € 14,00 while students and PWA: € 7,00 Children below six years old are free.

Catherine Palace: A Splendid Rococo Imperial Estate in Russia

The Catherine Palace is a splendid imperial estate, and former home of Russian tsars, located in Pushkin (formerly known as Tsarskoye Selo), just outside St. Petersburg in Russia. It is designed in a Rococo architecture and named after Catherine I called The Great.

It was originally commissioned by Peter The Great in 1717 for his wife, Catherine. However, it was during their daughter's reign, Empress Elizabeth, that the palace achieved its grandeur. She also chose Tsarskoye Selo (also known as Tsar's village) as her main residence.

Over the years, this imperial residence was expanded into clusters of buildings installing elaborate decorations, blue-and-white facades featuring  gilded atlantes and pilasters designed by German sculptor, Johann Franz Dunker. 

Palace exteriors were decorated with gold. And the interiors are breathtakingly magnificent and stunning with ornate banisters and reclining marble cupids, and the entire ceiling is covered by a monumental fresco entitled "The Triumph of Russia".

The mysterious Amber Room

One of its most popular rooms is the Amber room, a chamber decorated in amber panels backed with gold leaf and mirrors. It was considered one of the Wonders of the World due to its elaborate design. 

But it remains mysterious until today due to its so-called disappearance during World War II. Many said it was stolen, other version of the story said, it was destroyed by fire but no evidence of burning was produced. 

Hope faded to recover the missing treasure of Catherine Palace. But in 1979, the USSR ordered a reconstruction to replicate the Amber room, guided by two remaining original items: a single box of relics from the room, and 86 black-and-white photos of the space taken just before WW II.

It took 23 years before the reconstruction completed. And in 2003, the replica of the Amber room was put on display at Catherine Palace, attracting visitors annually.

Frederiksborg Castle: Scandinavia's Largest Renaissance castle

Frederiksborg, which now functioned as a museum building and venue of big events, it is located in the north portion of Copenhagen in the city of Hillerod in Denmark.

Originally built as a royal residence for King Christian IV in 17th century, the castle earned a reputation of being one of the grandest castles in Denmark during the renaissance period, often dubbed as Denmark's version of the Palace of Versailles in France.

It is the largest renaissance castle in the Scandinavian region and it is well-preserved. Surrounded by a huge symmetrical baroque garden and home to the National History museum. 

After the death of Christian IV, the castle was used mainly for ceremonial events. However, being used as a royal residence again during the reign of King Frederick VII. 

In the 19th century, the castle was badly damaged by fire while King Frederick VII was in resident. The fire quickly spread, destroying most important sections of the building but staff managed to save more than 300 precious paintings.

Chapel at Frederiksborg castle where Prince Joachim and Alexandra Manley got married in 1995

Repair began in 1860 and when it was completed, the castle made open to the public for a visit. Some of the best attractions at Frederiksborg castle are its Neptune fountain and the elegant Baroque park with its cascading water feature in the background.

Prince Joachim of Denmark, second son of Queen Margrethe II, wed his first wife, Alexandra Manley, in 1995, at Frederiksborg Castle's chapel. The couple divorced in 2005 and when Alexandra remarried, the Queen made her Countess of Frederiksborg.

Egeskov Castle, Europe's Best Preserved Ancient Water Castle

Danish monarchy is the oldest throne in Europe, dating back from the 10rh century. Today, Denmark is home to several surviving beautiful castles and renaissance palaces that are still inhabited by Danish royal and aristocrats.

Egeskov Castle is just one example of Danish monarchy's glorious royal history. Located in the Danish island of Funen, it is Europe's best preserved renaissance  water castle.

It is one of Denmark's oldest-surviving castles, believed to have constructed in the 15th century for the Brockenhuus family. The castle got its name from the English name - oak forest - due to a legend of its origin that it took an entire oak forest to build its foundation.

Count Michael of Ahlefeldt and Princess Alexandra on their wedding day in 2019

It's still inhabited until today and the latest owner is Michael Preben, Count Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille, only son of Danish aristocrat, Count Claus Christian of Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille, a member of the ancient noble House of Ahlefeldt.

Count Michael is the second husband of Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, daughter of Princess Benedikte of Denmark and niece of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece. 

Count Michael assumed the ownership of Egeskov Castle in 1992 and under his management the castle turned into one of the major attractions in the island of Funen. It is open to the public on guided tour.

Read more about this renaissance castle and how to plan a visit HERE