Sense of Place – 5
Castles don’t just exist in fairy tales! There are many castles around the world. A castle is a type of fortified structure typically seen in the Middle East and Europe. Castles and palaces are often confused with each other. Do you know the difference? Castles were built with the primary motive of safety and protection. On the other hand, palaces were built for comfort, relaxation and a leisurely lifestyle.
Unravel the following puzzles to see some of the world’s most popular castles.
1. Château de Chambord, France
The Château de Chambord is considered by many as a work of art because of its intricate and distinctive French Renaissance architecture. It was constructed in the 16th century by King Francis I of France but was never completed based on its original plan. In 1981, it was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
2. Bran Castle, Romania
Bran Castle is a popular landmark in Romania as it is known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’. It is believed to be the home of the main character in the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. He depicted the imaginary Dracula’s castle based upon a description of Bran Castle that was available to him.
3. The Himeji Castle, Japan
The Himeji Castle is considered by UNESCO World Heritage Center as one of the finest castles that best represents the 17th century Japanese architecture. The structure has 83 buildings. Because of the quality of its construction, it remained intact even after the bombings during World War II and the 1995 earthquake.
4. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Have you seen this castle before? Well, if you have ever watched the animated Disney film Sleeping Beauty, you would notice that the castle looks very familiar! In fact, the design of Sleeping Beauty’s castle was actually inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle! It is considered to be one of the most visited castles in Germany.