From crumbling ruins to fire-damaged forts: Haunting images show the world's most incredible abandoned castles
- They were once great buildings that stood proudly as demonstrations of strength and power
- This fascinating series of photographs includes UK ruins such as Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire
- And European edifices such as Xixona Castle in Alicante and Birkenfels Castle in Alsace
They were once great buildings that stood proudly as symbols of strength.
But now, having been bombarded with shells, set on fire and left to rot, these castles are looking a little worse for wear.
This fascinating series of photographs includes UK ruins such as Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire, Crichton Castle in Scotland and Kinbane Castle in County Antrim.
And European edifices such as Xixona Castle in Alicante and Birkenfels Castle in Alsace.
They may not be looking so grand today, but they're still utterly intriguing - time-capsule buildings that offer glimpses into by-gone ages.
Scroll down and behold the haunting pictures.
The ruins of Leamaneh Castle in the Burren in County Clare, Ireland. It was once a stronghold for the O'Brien family who were among the last high kings of Ireland. But now it stands in ruins and is no longer maintained
The majestic ruins of medieval castle Birkenfels, Alsace, France. The castle was built in the 13th century and belonged to the Burkhard Beger, a minister of the bishop of Strasbourg. However, after being abandoned during the Thirty Years War, it fell into ruins
An abandoned castle in Gyantse, Tibet, which despite being reduced to ruins is still a major attraction for visitors to the area
The ancient ruins of the Caudilla's Castle at sunset in Toledo, Spain. Only one main wall of the once great building in the middle of a field remains
One of the largest castles in Europe, Spis Castle is in the city of Kosice in Slovakia and was built in the 12th century in a gothic style. But by the 1700s, the castle, having been ravaged by fire, became abandoned. However, the ruins are still very impressive
Built in the 14th century, Old Wardour Castle in Tisbury in Wiltshire had been one of the most daring and innovative homes in Britain. It was partially destroyed during the English Civil War and the Grade I listed building is now described as a 'romantic ruin'
Built in the 12th century, Loarre Castle is located in the Aragon region of northern Spain. It is one of the oldest castles in Spain
The ruins of Crichton Castle in Midlothian, Scotland, stand among withered grass. It was built as a tower house by John de Crichton for his son in the late 14th century
Ballycarbery Castle, County Kerry, Ireland, which was built in the 16th century when Ballycarbery was attacked by cannon fire from Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarians during the War of the Three Kingdoms in 1652. Today some walls are clad in ivy and the first floor is completely covered in grass
The Santa Catalina Castle looks out over the town of Tarifa in south western Spain. Unusually, it was built in the 1930s during the Spanish Civil War. It then became a meteorological observatory but since 2006 has stood empty
The 16th century Kinbane Castle near Ballintoy in Country Antrim Northern Ireland. It was built in the 1500s but shortly afterwards two sieges by the English saw it destroyed by cannon ball fire
All that remains of Hovenweep Castle, a national monument in Utah in the United States. The castle was built by ancestral Puebloans, a sedentary farming culture that lived in the area
Located off the coast of Galway, O'Brien Castle in Inisheer on the Aran Islands is the first sight greeting visitors coming in on the ferry. It was built in the 14th century but as other forts were built around the island it was left to ruin
The ruins of the Xixona Castle's great tower stand abandoned high on a hill in Alicante, Spain. The castle had been constructed in the Arab architecture style but was destroyed in the 18th century during the Spanish War of Succession
The sun sets over the ruins of Crow Castle, which stands proudly on top of a hillside near Llangollen in Wales. It is thought to have been built during clashes between the Welsh and English in the 10th century
The abandoned castle of Palahamooneh is surrounded by the dramatic red Abyaneh Village in central Iran. After being built the castle acted as a fort and look-out point
Once a huge fortress in County Antrim, North Ireland, during medieval times, Dunluce Castle is now just ruins. It is thought to have been built in the 13th century by the 2nd Earl of Ulster but started to fall into disrepair following the Battle of the Boyne in 1690
Caerlaverock Castle is a moated triangular castle first built in the 13th century. It is located on the southern coast of Scotland, close to the town of Dumfries
Dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, Corfe Castle stands above a village of the same name in Dorset. It was one of the earliest castles to be built using stone rather than timber. It is now owned by the English National Trust
From crumbling ruins to fire-damaged forts: Haunting images show the world's most incredible abandoned castles
- They were once great buildings that stood proudly as demonstrations of strength and power
- This fascinating series of photographs includes UK ruins such as Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire
- And European edifices such as Xixona Castle in Alicante and Birkenfels Castle in Alsace
They were once great buildings that stood proudly as symbols of strength.
But now, having been bombarded with shells, set on fire and left to rot, these castles are looking a little worse for wear.
This fascinating series of photographs includes UK ruins such as Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire, Crichton Castle in Scotland and Kinbane Castle in County Antrim.
And European edifices such as Xixona Castle in Alicante and Birkenfels Castle in Alsace.
They may not be looking so grand today, but they're still utterly intriguing - time-capsule buildings that offer glimpses into by-gone ages.
Scroll down and behold the haunting pictures.
The ruins of Leamaneh Castle in the Burren in County Clare, Ireland. It was once a stronghold for the O'Brien family who were among the last high kings of Ireland. But now it stands in ruins and is no longer maintained
The majestic ruins of medieval castle Birkenfels, Alsace, France. The castle was built in the 13th century and belonged to the Burkhard Beger, a minister of the bishop of Strasbourg. However, after being abandoned during the Thirty Years War, it fell into ruins
An abandoned castle in Gyantse, Tibet, which despite being reduced to ruins is still a major attraction for visitors to the area
The ancient ruins of the Caudilla's Castle at sunset in Toledo, Spain. Only one main wall of the once great building in the middle of a field remains
One of the largest castles in Europe, Spis Castle is in the city of Kosice in Slovakia and was built in the 12th century in a gothic style. But by the 1700s, the castle, having been ravaged by fire, became abandoned. However, the ruins are still very impressive
Built in the 14th century, Old Wardour Castle in Tisbury in Wiltshire had been one of the most daring and innovative homes in Britain. It was partially destroyed during the English Civil War and the Grade I listed building is now described as a 'romantic ruin'
Built in the 12th century, Loarre Castle is located in the Aragon region of northern Spain. It is one of the oldest castles in Spain
The ruins of Crichton Castle in Midlothian, Scotland, stand among withered grass. It was built as a tower house by John de Crichton for his son in the late 14th century
Ballycarbery Castle, County Kerry, Ireland, which was built in the 16th century when Ballycarbery was attacked by cannon fire from Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarians during the War of the Three Kingdoms in 1652. Today some walls are clad in ivy and the first floor is completely covered in grass
The Santa Catalina Castle looks out over the town of Tarifa in south western Spain. Unusually, it was built in the 1930s during the Spanish Civil War. It then became a meteorological observatory but since 2006 has stood empty
The 16th century Kinbane Castle near Ballintoy in Country Antrim Northern Ireland. It was built in the 1500s but shortly afterwards two sieges by the English saw it destroyed by cannon ball fire
All that remains of Hovenweep Castle, a national monument in Utah in the United States. The castle was built by ancestral Puebloans, a sedentary farming culture that lived in the area
Located off the coast of Galway, O'Brien Castle in Inisheer on the Aran Islands is the first sight greeting visitors coming in on the ferry. It was built in the 14th century but as other forts were built around the island it was left to ruin
The ruins of the Xixona Castle's great tower stand abandoned high on a hill in Alicante, Spain. The castle had been constructed in the Arab architecture style but was destroyed in the 18th century during the Spanish War of Succession
The sun sets over the ruins of Crow Castle, which stands proudly on top of a hillside near Llangollen in Wales. It is thought to have been built during clashes between the Welsh and English in the 10th century
The abandoned castle of Palahamooneh is surrounded by the dramatic red Abyaneh Village in central Iran. After being built the castle acted as a fort and look-out point
Once a huge fortress in County Antrim, North Ireland, during medieval times, Dunluce Castle is now just ruins. It is thought to have been built in the 13th century by the 2nd Earl of Ulster but started to fall into disrepair following the Battle of the Boyne in 1690
Caerlaverock Castle is a moated triangular castle first built in the 13th century. It is located on the southern coast of Scotland, close to the town of Dumfries
Dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, Corfe Castle stands above a village of the same name in Dorset. It was one of the earliest castles to be built using stone rather than timber. It is now owned by the English National Trust
From crumbling ruins to fire-damaged forts: Haunting images show the world's most incredible abandoned castles
- They were once great buildings that stood proudly as demonstrations of strength and power
- This fascinating series of photographs includes UK ruins such as Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire
- And European edifices such as Xixona Castle in Alicante and Birkenfels
They were once great buildings that stood proudly as symbols of strength.
But now, having been bombarded with shells, set on fire and left to rot, these castles are looking a little worse for wear.
This fascinating series of photographs includes UK ruins such as Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire, Crichton Castle in Scotland and Kinbane Castle in County Antrim.
And European edifices such as Xixona Castle in Alicante and Birkenfels Castle in Alsace.
The ruins of Leamaneh Castle in the Burren in County Clare, Ireland. It was once a stronghold for the O'Brien family who were among the last high kings of Ireland. But now it stands in ruins and is no longer maintained
The majestic ruins of medieval castle Birkenfels, Alsace, France. The castle was built in the 13th century and belonged to the Burkhard Beger, a minister of the bishop of Strasbourg. However, after being abandoned during the Thirty Years War, it fell into ruins
An abandoned castle in Gyantse, Tibet, which despite being reduced to ruins is still a major attraction for visitors to the area
The ancient ruins of the Caudilla's Castle at sunset in Toledo, Spain. Only one main wall of the once great building in the middle of a field remains
One of the largest castles in Europe, Spis Castle is in the city of Kosice in Slovakia and was built in the 12th century in a gothic style. But by the 1700s, the castle, having been ravaged by fire, became abandoned. However, the ruins are still very impressive
Built in the 14th century, Old Wardour Castle in Tisbury in Wiltshire had been one of the most daring and innovative homes in Britain. It was partially destroyed during the English Civil War and the Grade I listed building is now described as a 'romantic ruin'
Built in the 12th century, Loarre Castle is located in the Aragon region of northern Spain. It is one of the oldest castles in Spain
The ruins of Crichton Castle in Midlothian, Scotland, stand among withered grass. It was built as a tower house by John de Crichton for his son in the late 14th century
Ballycarbery Castle, County Kerry, Ireland, which was built in the 16th century when Ballycarbery was attacked by cannon fire from Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarians during the War of the Three Kingdoms in 1652. Today some walls are clad in ivy and the first floor is completely covered in grass
The Santa Catalina Castle looks out over the town of Tarifa in south western Spain. Unusually, it was built in the 1930s during the Spanish Civil War. It then became a meteorological observatory but since 2006 has stood empty
The 16th century Kinbane Castle near Ballintoy in Country Antrim Northern Ireland. It was built in the 1500s but shortly afterwards two sieges by the English saw it destroyed by cannon ball fire
All that remains of Hovenweep Castle, a national monument in Utah in the United States. The castle was built by ancestral Puebloans, a sedentary farming culture that lived in the area
Located off the coast of Galway, O'Brien Castle in Inisheer on the Aran Islands is the first sight greeting visitors coming in on the ferry. It was built in the 14th century but as other forts were built around the island it was left to ruin
The ruins of the Xixona Castle's great tower stand abandoned high on a hill in Alicante, Spain. The castle had been constructed in the Arab architecture style but was destroyed in the 18th century during the Spanish War of Succession
The sun sets over the ruins of Crow Castle, which stands proudly on top of a hillside near Llangollen in Wales. It is thought to have been built during clashes between the Welsh and English in the 10th century
The abandoned castle of Palahamooneh is surrounded by the dramatic red Abyaneh Village in central Iran. After being built the castle acted as a fort and look-out point
Once a huge fortress in County Antrim, North Ireland, during medieval times, Dunluce Castle is now just ruins. It is thought to have been built in the 13th century by the 2nd Earl of Ulster but started to fall into disrepair following the Battle of the Boyne in 1690
Caerlaverock Castle is a moated triangular castle first built in the 13th century. It is located on the southern coast of Scotland, close to the town of Dumfries
Dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, Corfe Castle stands above a village of the same name in Dorset. It was one of the earliest castles to be built using stone rather than timber. It is now owned by the English National Trust
The book Abandoned Castles by Kieron Connolly, which details the story behind some of the once great buildings
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