Buildings with history are always endowed with powerful energy, attracting
Both architecture connoisseurs and tourists with a variety of interests.
Medieval castles occupy a special place among these national treasures.
Full of legends, they are often located in stunning places,
visitors noting their powerful energy. Ancient walls, incredible
panoramas and well-kept parks of these castles allow feeling a fairy tale
atmosphere of antiquity and transfer to the Middle Ages for a while.
One way to attract tourists to the sights that has won
the favour of travellers all over the world is to set up hotels
right next to the castle or even within its walls. It is true that many fortresses of
Europe have luxurious, comfortable rooms with all possible amenities. Travellers can not only listen to stories and legends about the castle, but also live among the age-old walls and feel as if a lord or lady of the estate.
We have selected the top 5 most interesting hotels related to castles.
1. Château de Codignat, France
The hotel is located on the edge of Livradois-Forez regional nature park (Parc Naturel Régional Livradois-Forez) in Thiers. Here you can stay in a castle room or attic, rent a room in a wooden cottage or a two-storey house with a view of the Château de Codignat. All rooms are furnished with antique furniture of fabulous beauty, decorated with tapestries and mirrors. In addition to the hotel, the castle has a restaurant with Michelin star.
2. Castello Banfi, Italy
The luxurious castle hotel is located in the Italian region of Tuscany
20 km from the town of Monticello. Here you can live among powerful fortress
walls and taste local wine, as the entire area is surrounded by
vineyards, thus winemaking is one of the main industries of Tuscany. Besides, Banfi hosts a museum of glass and bottles.
3. Waldeck Castle (Schloss Waldeck), Germany
Waldeck is one of the oldest medieval castles in Germany. It is located on the shores of Lake Eder (The Edersee) in the federal state of Hesse, near the city of Waldeck. The fortress was built in the 12th century on the top of the mountain, which is now overgrown with forest. Magnificent panoramas are seen from the windows. And although outwardly it practically remained the same, the interior decoration of the castle has become more comfortable for holiday-makers. In addition to the rooms, there are two restaurants as well as a number of services that will make your stay unforgettable. There was also created a history museum of the castle.
4. Hruba Skala Castle is located in a picturesque area in the north of the Czech Republic.
It was laid in the 14th century on an impregnable rock, and later rebuilt in Renaissance style. From the windows of the castle one can see luxurious panoramas of the surrounding forests, while in good weather one can even see the ruins of Trosky fortress, which is about 5 km away from the castle. Apart from the hotel, the castle has a SPA complex, a bathhouse, a sauna and a massage room. Those who wish can shoot with a bow and take a cable car.
5. Nevytsky Castle and Verkhovyna Resort, Ukraine
Nevytsky Castle rises on a mountain above the Uzhan Valley, not far away from
Uzhhorod and the border with Slovakia. Its first mentions date back to the 12th century, and those days it was a wooden fortification. In the 17th century a beautiful citadel, modelled after the Italian fortresses of that time, appeared on its place. The picturesque grounds next to the castle have always been attractive for tourists. During the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it was a popular place for vacation of wealthy families who came here from Vienna, Budapest, Prague,
Bratislava. Unfortunately, only the ruins of Nevytsky Castle survived until the 20th century,
hence accommodation was impossible here. However, in 1958 on a meadow close to the castle
there was built the International Verkhovyna Tourist Centre, the history of which
has been preserved to this day and has given rise to a new resort complex. The Verkhovyna Resort hospitably opened its doors on December 15, 2021. 76 rooms of various categories, restaurants, bars, the SPA gallery, the Palace of Pools, the Medical Centre, the Centre for Aesthetic Medicine, conference halls, the entertainment centre, panoramic terraces, the observation tower and other opportunities for rest and recreation are at guests’ disposal.