Castle – The Travel Masters

January 31, 2016March 16, 2016

Where to visit in Japan, Himeji Castle

The Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle for its elegant white architecture, is generally considered the most spectacular castle in Japan for its impressive size and beauty, as well as for its well-maintained park. Similarly, it was protected as a World Heritage by UNESCO.

Unlike many other Japanese castles, it has never been destroyed by war, earthquakes or fires, and today can boast of being one of the 12 castles still originating in the country. Continue reading “Where to visit in Japan, Himeji Castle”

January 19, 2016January 28, 2016

What to see in England: Bolsover Castle

The Bolsover Castle is a castle town of over 11,000 inhabitants in Derbyshire, a region mainly undulating with wide stretches of Central England, mostly known for the Derwent Valley Mills, which fall within the Unesco World Heritage site.

Bolsover Castle dates back to the early 1600s, and was built by the Cavendish family, where first is an older medieval castle, dating from the 12th century, and belonged to another English noble family. Today the castle is managed by English Heritage, a public body that is responsible for management of the cultural heritage of England. Continue reading “What to see in England: Bolsover Castle”

December 13, 2014March 13, 2015

Strange Buildings, the Brazilian castle in Scotland

It is certainly not the largest castle in Scotland, but Kelburn Castle, 35 km west of Glasgow, is certainly the most striking and original castle in this part of Britain. Forget the traditional facade gray or brown that can be seen on most of the castles. A range of vivid colors and large in size, bring this XIII century building directly into our modern age.

Graffiti project, so was renamed this operation, started in 2007, when the owner of the castle, The Earl of Glasgow, it was said that it was necessary to remove an entire part of the building constructed in concrete, because it was unsafe: part that was added to the building in 1950. But at this point intervened the sons of the count, which have convinced the ‘Santa Claus’ to ‘graffiti tare’ this part of the castle, before it was removed. Continue reading “Strange Buildings, the Brazilian castle in Scotland”

January 5, 2014May 6, 2014

The most beautiful castles, Trakoscan in Croatia

In an hour’s drive north of Zagreb, The Trakoscan castle is a fortress of the thirteenth century, which was part of the Northwest Croatian Defence. Today, the castle, the park, the lake and the forest that surrounds it, is one of the few buildings in Croatia which preserves the original architectural features.

Dropped in ruins after the Second World War, in recent years has been the object of restoration and restoration, which brought to the ancient splendour. Inside a museum with a collection of books, paintings, furniture and weapons. All are very interesting, and romantic. Continue reading “The most beautiful castles, Trakoscan in Croatia”

May 29, 2013May 6, 2014

What to see in Puglia: The Aragonese Castle of Taranto

Beyond the sea and gastronomy, Puglia offers visitors many places worth visiting throughout its territory. Among the castles, for example, there is the Aragonese of Taranto.

The Castel Sant’Angelo of Taranto, better known as the Aragonese castle, has a long history, as evidenced by recent excavations. The previous Greek, Byzantine and Norman-Swabian-Angevin structures are still legible and visible during the guided tour. The new Aragonese castle was rebuilt from period in the years between 1487 and 1492, according to new criteria imposed by the completion of the artillery. It seems that the reconstruction project, commissioned by the King of Naples, Ferdinand of Aragon, was made with the direct intervention or, more likely, indirect, of the great Sienese architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini. The characteristic cylindrical towers and interior walkways. Interesting Renaissance chapel of S. Leonardo inside. Continue reading “What to see in Puglia: The Aragonese Castle of Taranto”

September 7, 2012May 6, 2014

What to see in Kent: a castle, a cathedral and a palace

The Canterbury Cathedral, protected by ‘Unesco for its historical and religious value, as well as artistic, and seat of the Archbishop of Cantherbury, spiritual leader of the Anglican church, but also the terminal of the Via Francigena, that lead the pilgrims until Rome. You enter from 9 to 17, from 12:30 to 14:30 on Sunday, and the entrance fee is 9.5 pounds for adults and children 6 to 18 years (free under 6 years old).

Leeds Castle, six miles from Maidstone, for someone one of the most beautiful castles in the world, certainly one of the most visited castles in Britain, if only for its aesthetic value (inside a maze, a golf course, and a museum dedicated to dog collars). The ticket costs £20, reduced 12.50, and for £15 more you can take the 5 o’clock tea, accompanied by sandwiches and pastries. Continue reading “What to see in Kent: a castle, a cathedral and a palace”

July 15, 2012May 6, 2014

The castles of the Loire: Chenonceau

We continue to wander around castles and manors, and, after a stop at Chambord, proceed to another stage of the beautiful castles of the Loire. So here we are at Chenonceau, unique castle-bridge to the east of the city of Tours.

Among the many impressive castles of the Loire that really has something more; since it was built over a river and its great halls stand on arches of stone in the water. Taking advantage of this particular shape on the ground floor has been built a magnificent ballroom and immense, with huge windows overlooking the river and the woods. Do not miss of course, the castle entrance, an Italian garden, guarded by a round tower isolated from the rest of the building. Continue reading “The castles of the Loire: Chenonceau”

July 14, 2012May 6, 2014

The Castle Road: go to castles between Germany and Czech Republic

If the beaches do not attract you and the mountain tired you, here’s a fresh and intriguing itinerary for your next holiday. This is the Castle Road, fascinating historical journey of the most impressive castles in Lower Germany and the Czech Republic’s route between Mannheim, Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Ansbach, Nuremberg to reach the magical Prague. Touched the manors of Coburg, Kronach and Kulmbach, Bamberg and Bayreuth: past the Czech border here is another 15 cones and a monastery, between Prague and Eger.

There is short enough to satiate the appetite of the most demanding lover of history, architecture and military events, along a route along a thousand kilometers (it is therefore not recommended to start walking). The first press trips on this route dates back to 1954, passed the first phase of post-war reconstruction, many began to afford trips with historical and cultural content, then the boom in traffic encouraged the rapid development of Castle Road. Continue reading “The Castle Road: go to castles between Germany and Czech Republic”