The famous castles of England

The British are an amazing people who draw strength in their history and traditions. Therefore, the castles of England and its palaces - this is a kind of brand, without which there is not a single trip around the country. They keep beautiful and tragic stories about love and betrayal, victories and defeats, cruelty and greatness of the human soul.

The earliest Norman castles in England date back to the 9th and 10th centuries, and there are not so many of them. And in the Middle Ages, every major feudal lord necessarily built his own powerful castle, executed in a characteristic Gothic style. So in each county there were several dozen castles, built at different times. To date, 282 buildings of majestic castle architecture have been well preserved.

The symbol of London is rightfully considered the ancient Tower, erected a thousand years ago by William the Conqueror. The Tower has changed its purpose many times - from the royal palace to the gloomy dungeon. Now in it there is a magnificent royal treasury and the best historical museum.

The largest residential medieval castle in the world is the palace Windsor - the royal residence of the ruling British monarchs. Here is a brilliant collection of paintings and sculptures, and the majestic Windsor Park impresses with its exquisite landscape architecture. For excursions is not only open the park, but most of the palace.

Castles of England can not be imagined without the amazing palace of Leeds, the favorite of the six queens. It is located on two islands and is surrounded by picturesque vineyards and a unique park. Historically, in this castle very often there are various exhibitions and festivals.

Mystical ancient castles of England are headed by the castle of St. Michael, built on the eponymous mountain. It is considered the "crown jewel" of the famous county of Cornwall. The name of the castle and the mountain is associated with the appearance of Archangel Michael in this place as far back as the 5th century AD. And in the middle of the 6th century, an amazing story happened here, when the army of King Arthur was rescued by a sea that suddenly left the banks near this mountain and absorbed the army of the enemy Arthur, the king of Mordred.

Many castles in England were built in the style of powerful fortresses. So, the constant admiration is caused by the five-hundred-year-old castle Bodnam - heavy, but in its own way elegant, decorated with magnificent towers.

The times of the heroic crusades will be told by Castle Temple - the residence of the legendary Knights Templar. In the temple there are still 10 tombs of ancient knights.

It is impossible to imagine the castles of England without mysterious ghosts and chilling bloody stories. Thus, in the county of Norfolk there is the castle of Blickling Hall, in which regularly appears the ghost of Anna Boleyn, executed on the treacherous orders of her husband, King Henry VIII. And the legend of the castle Glamis says that his master was immured in the room by his own servants, because he decided not to stop playing cards, even if the devil is at his table. So he leads an endless game at his imprudent desire.

Cinematographers can find suitable castles of England for any historical or fictional event. For example, some episodes of "Harry Potter" were filmed in the palace of Blenheim, and the shooting of the acclaimed "Da Vinci Code" was conducted in Beaver Castle.

British laws ensure that the owners of ancient castles restore them, do not violate the architecture and maintained in proper condition. Castles in England - this is a sought-after form of real estate. They are striving to acquire famous singers, movie stars, businessmen and politicians. So, Madonna and Angelina Jolie became the happy owners of their own castles.

To be imbued with the spirit of Britain, you must visit its ancient palaces and castles. This is the heart and soul of an amazing country.