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By definition, a castle is “a large building, typically from the medieval period, fortified against attack with thick walls, battlements, towers, and often a moat.”
While the Moscow Kremlin might not fit the traditional idea of a castle, many forts in India do. Today, the ranking of castles is based on their ground area coverage, not their height or number of rooms.
10. Edinburgh Castle (35,737 square meters)
Perched atop an extinct volcanic crag, Edinburgh Castle commands the skyline of Edinburgh, Scotland. Archaeological evidence reveals human occupation of this site dating back to at least the Iron Age, though the specifics of these early settlements remain unknown.
Throughout history, the castle has seen its share of conflict, being twice seized by invading British forces and twice reclaimed by the Scots.
In later years, the castle was fortified with the formidable Mons Meg cannon, which remains a popular attraction for visitors today.
9. Citadel of Aleppo (39,804 sqm)
The Citadel of Aleppo is a vast medieval fortress located in the heart of Aleppo’s old city in northern Syria.
Renowned as one of the oldest and largest castles globally, its history spans back to at least the mid-3rd millennium BC.
Over the centuries, the citadel has been occupied by various civilizations, including:
- Greeks
- Byzantines
- Ayyubids
- Mamluks
The majority of the existing structure is believed to date from the Ayyubid period.
8. Himeji Castle (41,468 sqm)
Himeji Castle, a hilltop fortress located in Himeji city in Japan’s Hyōgo Prefecture, is celebrated as the finest surviving example of classic Japanese castle architecture. This impressive complex consists of 83 rooms equipped with advanced defensive systems from the feudal era.
Often called Hakuro-jō or Shirasagi-jō (“White Egret Castle” or “White Heron Castle”), Himeji Castle is renowned for its stunning white exterior, which resembles a bird in flight.
The castle’s origins trace back to 1333 when Akamatsu Norimura constructed a fort on Himeyama hill. This fort was dismantled and rebuilt as Himeyama Castle in 1346, and then extensively remodeled into Himeji Castle two centuries later.
7. Buda Castle (44,674 sqm)
Buda Castle, the historic castle and palace complex of Hungarian kings in Budapest, was initially completed in 1265.
The grand Baroque palace that dominates the site today was constructed between 1749 and 1769.
Historically known as the Royal Palace or the Royal Castle, Buda Castle showcases a blend of architectural styles from Gothic to Baroque, reflecting its tumultuous history of invasions and subsequent rebuildings.
6. Spis Castle (49,485 sqm)
Spis Castle, located in eastern Slovakia, is among the largest medieval castles in Central Europe. The main section was fortified with stone walls in the early 13th century, and the lower courtyard was added in the mid-15th century.
Historically, Spis Castle served as the political, administrative, economic, and cultural hub of Szepes County in the Kingdom of Hungary. Until 1464, it was owned by the Hungarian kings.
Subsequently, it passed to:
- Zápolya family (until 1528)
- Thurzó family (1531–1635)
- Csáky family (1638–1945)
Since 1945, the castle has been under the ownership of the state, initially Czechoslovakia and later Slovakia.
5. Hohensalzburg Castle (54,523 sqm)
The Hohensalzburg Castle, situated in Salzburg, Austria, is one of the largest and best-preserved castles in Europe.
Built in 1077, the castle saw significant expansion between 1495 and 1519, with few changes thereafter.
This formidable fortress never fell to enemy forces and remains a striking landmark on Salzburg’s skyline.
Visitors can explore museum exhibits that offer insights into the lives of the archbishops and admire the castle’s exterior, which has retained its historic architecture.
4. Windsor Castle (54,835 sqm)
Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle globally and the largest in England, serves as one of the official residences of the Queen of England, where she frequently spends her private weekends and vacations.
The upper ward houses the private residential apartments and the esteemed royal library.
The royal library boasts invaluable drawings by classical masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo.
Though a fire in 1992 damaged parts of the castle and some contents of the library, most pieces were safely recovered, and the damaged sections of the castle have since been restored.
3. Prague Castle (66,761 sqm)
Prague Castle holds the title of the largest coherent castle complex in the world, as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
The first stone building of this magnificent structure was the Church of the Virgin Mary, though today only sparse remnants of the original church remain.
Currently, it serves as the official office of the President of the Czech Republic.
Throughout history, the castle has been a seat of power for Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, and Czechoslovakian presidents. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are securely stored in a hidden room within the castle.
2. Mehrangarh Fort (81,227 sqm)
Mehrangarh, also known as Mehran Fort, stands majestically in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and ranks among the largest forts in India. Constructed around 1459 by Rao Jodha, the fort rises 410 feet (0.12 km) above the city, surrounded by formidable thick walls.
Within its confines lie several palaces celebrated for their intricate carvings and spacious courtyards. A winding road connects the fort to the city below.
The second gate still bears the marks of cannonballs fired by Jaipur’s attacking armies. To the fort’s left is the chhatri of Kirat Singh Soda, a soldier who died defending Mehrangarh.
1. Malbork Castle (143,591 sqm)
The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, a 13th-century fortress near Malbork, Poland, is the world’s largest castle by land area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Originally built by the Teutonic Knights, a German Catholic religious order, it was named Marienburg in honor of Mary, mother of Jesus. During the Thirteen Years’ War in 1457, Bohemian mercenaries sold the castle to King Casimir IV of Poland, and it became one of the Polish royal residences and administrative centers, with brief interruptions by Swedish occupation.
This role continued until the First Partition of Poland in 1772, after which the castle came under German control for over 170 years. Post World War II, the Allies reassigned the land to Poland.
The heavily damaged castle underwent extensive renovations in the latter half of the 20th century, with the most recent restoration in 2016. Today, it hosts exhibitions and operates as a museum.
