10 Largest Castles in the World – Ranked by Land Area

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.

• Built: Earliest structures date back to the Iron Age.
• Significance: A historic fortress dominating Edinburgh’s skyline.
• Notable Features:
  • Located on top of an extinct volcanic crag.
  • Has witnessed numerous battles, including multiple sieges by English and Scottish forces.
  • Home to the famous Mons Meg cannon, a medieval supergun.
  • Hosts Scotland’s Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.

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.

• Built: Earliest structures date back to the 3rd millennium BC.
• Significance: One of the oldest and largest castles in the world.
• Notable Features:
  • Occupied by various civilizations, including Greeks, Byzantines, Ayyubids, and Mamluks.
  • Most of the current structure dates back to the Ayyubid period.
  • Located in the center of Aleppo’s old city.
  • Heavily damaged during the Syrian Civil War but remains an iconic landmark.

8. Himeji Castle (41,468 sqm)

@kyoko1903_ Thinking of heading to Kansai for cherry blossoms this year too🌸 今年も桜の時期は関西に行こうかな〜✨ 📷April 1, 2023 #himejicastle #himeji #姫路城 #姫路 ♬ オリジナル楽曲 – kyoko1903 / Japan Travel

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.

• Built: 1333 as a fort, expanded into a castle in the 16th century.
• Significance: One of Japan’s finest and best-preserved feudal castles.
• Notable Features:
  • Known as “White Heron Castle” due to its elegant white exterior.
  • Designed with an advanced defensive system, including multiple gates and winding paths.
  • Survived World War II bombings and multiple natural disasters.
  • Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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.

• Built: 1265 (original fortress), expanded in the 18th century.
• Significance: Historic palace of Hungarian kings.
• Notable Features:
  • Current Baroque-style palace built between 1749–1769.
  • Has endured multiple wars and sieges throughout history.
  • Houses the Hungarian National Gallery and Budapest History Museum.
  • Located in the heart of Budapest, offering stunning city views.

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.

• Built: 12th century
• Significance: One of the largest medieval castles in Central Europe.
• Notable Features:
  • Served as a political and cultural center of Szepes County.
  • Ownership changed between Hungarian kings, Zápolya family, Thurzó family, and Csáky family.
  • Now a national cultural monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Features a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architectural styles.

5. Hohensalzburg Castle (54,523 sqm)

Hohensalzburg Castle, #Salzburg, #Austria
One of the largest medieval castles in Europe, it is the landmark of the city of Salzburg and a top tourist attraction for. With a magnificently furnished interior, it stands today as one of the best-preserved castles in Europe#travel pic.twitter.com/mxTPOqkqO1

— World of Castles (@CastlesGHQ) January 31, 2018

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.

• Built: 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard
• Significance: One of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe.
• Notable Features:
  • Expanded significantly between 1495 and 1519.
  • Has never been captured by enemy forces.
  • Contains a museum showcasing the lives of Salzburg’s archbishops.
  • Offers panoramic views of the city of Salzburg.

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.

• Built: 11th century by William the Conqueror
• Significance: Oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world.
• Notable Features:
  • Official residence of British royalty.
  • Houses a prestigious royal library with works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo.
  • Parts of the castle were damaged in the 1992 fire but have been restored.
  • Used for state and private events by the British monarchy.

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.

• Built: 9th century
• Significance: Largest ancient castle complex in the world.
• Notable Features:
  • Current residence of the President of the Czech Republic.
  • Home to Bohemian Crown Jewels, hidden in a secret chamber.
  • Features multiple architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque.
  • Guinness World Record holder for the largest castle complex.

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.

• Built: 1459 by Rao Jodha
• Location: Jodhpur, Rajasthan
• Notable Features:
  • Situated 410 feet above the city, with thick defensive walls.
  • Houses intricately carved palaces and spacious courtyards.
  • The second gate bears marks of cannonball impacts from Jaipur’s army.
  • Features the chhatri (memorial) of Kirat Singh Soda, a brave soldier who died defending the fort.

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.

• Built: 13th century by the Teutonic Knights
• Historical Role: Served as a Polish royal residence and administrative center.
• Notable Features:
  • Largest castle by land area in the world.
  • A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Extensive renovations after WWII; final restoration completed in 2016.
  • Houses exhibitions and operates as a museum today.