12th century castles of Europe
14 European castles and fortresses built mainly in the 12th century — each mapped, dated and ready to explore.
Castel Beseno
Trentino's largest fortified complex, sweeping along an Alpine ridge
Castle of Diósgyőr
Hungary's four-towered Gothic queens' castle, rebuilt by Louis the Great
Château de Castelnaud
France's Dordogne hilltop fortress, a rival stronghold in the Hundred Years' War
Château de Chillon
Switzerland's island castle on Lake Geneva, with round towers and lakeside halls
Cité de Carcassonne
France's double-walled medieval city, ringed by more than fifty towers
Dubrovnik City Walls
Croatia's mighty sea walls guarding the old port of Dubrovnik on the Adriatic
Edinburgh Castle
Scotland's clifftop royal fortress, grown on a volcanic crag since the 1100s
Marksburg Castle
The only Rhine hilltop castle never destroyed, rising in stacked terraces
Ramparts of Provins
France's medieval fair town, ringed by tall ramparts and towers
Rock of Cashel
Ireland's medieval hilltop of kings, with a round tower, chapel and cathedral
Spiš Castle
One of Europe's largest castle complexes, sprawling over a Slovak ridge
Óbidos Castle & Walls
Portugal's fairytale walled hill town crowned by a medieval castle
Kalmar Castle
Sweden's Renaissance castle with round corner towers, guarding the Baltic coast
Gravensteen
Belgium's moated 'Castle of the Counts' in the heart of Ghent