See full version: 8 Oldest Castles in the World
The Citadel of Aleppo is one of the oldest and largest castles in the world. The castle sits atop a hill in the Ancient City of Aleppo, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Usage of the Citadel hill dates back to at least the 3000 BCE, but the majority of the current structure was probably built during the Ayuubid dynasty sometime during the 12th century.
Year Established: c. early 12th century
Location: Segovia, Spain
Still Standing: Yes
Killyleagh Castle is the main attraction in the small village of Killyleagh in Northern Ireland. The oldest parts of the castle date back to 1180 and it is believed to be the oldest castle in the country. King James I gave the land the castle sits on to James Hamilton, who later became the 1st Viscount Claneboye – he built a single towered castle and courtyard walls.
Year Established: 1180
Location: Killyleagh, Northern Ireland
Still Standing: Yes
Although the castle was built as a fortress, it only came under siege once during the German Peasants’ War in 1525. The castle was refurbished during the late 19th century and has remained as a popular tourist attraction since then. more
The Alcázar of Segovia was originally an Arab fortress built atop the remains of a Roman fort. The earliest written records mentioning the castle date back to around 1120 after the city was reconquered by King Alfonso VI. Under the reign of King Alfonso VIII and his wife Eleanor of England, the castle became their primary residence and they began the construction of the castle as it exists today.
Kensington Palace is the birthplace of Queen Victoria and was the home of Diana, Princess of Wales, between 1981 and 1997. Once a private country house, it is now open to the public and you can observe the Victorian rooms with original furniture and family portraits. Along with the 242 acre Kensington Gardens, it is definitely a must-see during a visit to London.
Eltham Palace is a Medieval palace where Henry VIII grew up was later acquired in the 1930s by a wealthy family, who repaired the Great Hall and built on a house with a fantastic Art Deco interior design. Coupled with its lovely gardens, visitors can explore this wonderful site for themselves.
St James’s Palace, closely located to Whitehall Palace and St James’s Park, the palace was used by King Henry VIII as a hunting lodge. It is one of the oldest Royal palaces in the city, built around 1531 to 1536.
Kew Palace was built in 1631 and is the birthplace of King George IV. The palace is located in the greenery of Kew Gardens and has been open to visitors since 2006. more
Berkeley Castle gained notoriety in 1327, when Edward II of England was placed in the joint custody of Thomas de Berkeley and his brother-in-law, who held the king in the castle for five months. After several escape attempts, Edward II was murdered in the same Berkeley Castle in 1327, most likely by suffocation. The dungeon where he was imprisoned and murdered can still be visited today. Berkeley Castle is currently the permanent residence of the Berkeley family, but it is also open to the public. [links]
Known as the world's largest inhabited castle, Windsor is all about extravagance. Forget everything you knew about your average picturesque and intimate castles and think all superlative. The floor area of the Windsor covers an approximate 484,000 square feet, and there are almost 1,000 rooms in this gigantic palace. With more than 900 years of royalty encased in its walls, it has been continuously inhabited for almost 1,000 years, during which time it was modified and refurbished by the English monarchs themselves. here
The second oldest inhabited castle in England after Windsor, and the oldest to be continuously owned and permanently inhabited by one single family has its origins in the 11 th century, when a mott-and-bailey fortification was built in 1067 by William FitzOsbern. The stronghold entered the possession of three consecutive Berkeley generations until it was reconstructed during the first half of the 12 th century by the same Berkeley family. Most of the castle we see today was built by Thomas de Berkeley in the 14 th century. more
A famous tourist attraction, Alnwick Castle is open to the public during summers, when they are welcomed by the opulent 42-acre Alnwick Garden, completed in 2003 for the cost of $68 million.
Part of the medieval Oxford Castle, St George’s Tower was built in 1071 as a section of the town defences for William the Conqueror. The tower predates the rest of the castle and is believed to be Oxford’s oldest building. Visitors today are invited to climb the tower’s four storeys to the top, where they can enjoy sweeping views over the university city. [links]
The tall, oblong Norwich Castle sits near the centre of Norwich in the east of England. Built at the order of William the Conqueror after the Norman conquest of England, the medieval fortification served as a royal residence before it was used as a prison for almost 500 years. In the 19th century, a restoration transformed Norwich Castle into a magnificent Romanesque structure with ornate arcading, and today the building houses a museum and art gallery. here
Built in the 7th century by the Anglo-Saxon bishop Cedd, this simple, secluded church is one of the oldest continuously used chapels in the country. The building has faced several periods of decline and restoration during its time, even once being used as a barn before being reconsecrated as a chapel in 1920. The humble building sits near the Essex coastline and features on the St Peter’s Way walking route. more
Thought to be one of the most haunted hotels in England, this 12th-century inn and former pub is shrouded in legend. The charming house is thought to have been constructed on a pagan burial ground, and when built it became the residence of slaves and masons working on nearby St Mary’s Church. Various spooky discoveries have been made at the inn – including children’s skeletons and the ghost of a witch – which led to the Ancient Ram Inn featuring on television shows such as Most Haunted.
Saltford Manor House, Somerset – 1148
Gatcombe Park is the privately owned residence of The Princess Royal and her husband, Vice-Admiral Tim Laurence. Originally purchased by The Queen as a wedding gift for her daughter, the property was later expanded to include the neighboring Aston Farm. After divorcing, Princess Anne retained Gatcombe Park while her first husband, Mark Phillips, retained the Aston Farm estate where he still lives. Gatcombe Park is the site of several equestrian events throughout the year.
Owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, Llwynywermod has been the Welsh home of The Prince of Wales since 2008. here
Windsor Castle is another of The Queen’s official residences, and where she spends most weekends. Originally built as a fortress by William the Conqueror, the Castle is considered the largest inhabited castle in the world, and the oldest continually occupied. Within the Castle is St George’s Chapel, the site of many royal weddings through the years, and the home of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. It is here that the annual Garter Day service and procession take place.
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Formerly the official residence of the monarch, the last Sovereign to live here was George II. It was at Kensington Palace in 1837 that the young Princess Victoria learned that she had become Queen, at which point she moved to Buckingham Palace.
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