Your Favorite Castle

[Pikeman]

What's yours? Mine has to be either Caerphilly, Harlech or Conwy. One of the Welsh jobs anyway, as well as Carcasonne in Languedoc.

This is slightly OT, but never mind.:cool:

[Frank Fay]

Mine Carcassone in France:) That's what I call a Stronghold.

[Pikeman]

True. Forgot about that one. I think it should also be added to my list.:cool:

[vyanvotts]

hmmm, i only know off two, the two crappy ones on this rock of a island i live on, well actually, there alright i guess.

they kept the french away anyway :)

[Pikeman]

I also haven't visited any of the ones I listed, but even on pictures, they're impressive. I have Haut-Koenigsburg and Burg Roetteln in driveable distance from where I live, and they're nottoobadiguess, but nothing you'd rush to see.

[Tedman333]

I always thought Coca Castle in Spain looked cool, but I don't know much about it.

[Hooba]

Mine are Carcasonne (France) and The Gravensteen (Ghent).

[rss0900]

I agree Carcassone in France.

[veebee]

I have many favourites, especially Krak des chevaliers(Syrie), Carcasonne(France) and Gravensteen(Flanders) to name some of them. :)

[Carcassone]

Good to hear that everyone likes my castle. Thus the reason I chose my name. Excuse me now, I'm getting all misty eyed... ;)

[vyanvotts]

hey, i never said your castle!:p

[Carcassone]

Originally posted by vyanvotts
hey, i never said your castle!:p

Sire, this means WAR!:D

[Moorkh]

I'm afraid Carcassonne, while truly most impressive, isn't in fact a castle, but a fortified city. Sure, there is a castle inside it, but that alone is not so grand per se.

Anyways, I'd go for the Krak if you'll allow, even though that's a fortress (meaning it contains a sizeable, permanent garisson), not really a castle. I've never got a chance to visit the place, unfortunately (politics...), but just considering the strength of its walls makes me go all woozy ;)

If you really insist on a real castle, I'll choose Chateau Chillon on Lake Geneva. Not that big, but very neat.

@pikeman: you seem to live in my neighbourhood :)

[Pikeman]

Question: I never quite knew the difference between a fortress and a castle. I always thought a fortress was simply a big castle. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Moorkh]

In general terms:
A castle is the fortified residence of a feudal lord. Commonly found in medieval Europe, where they were suited for the feudal system.
A fortress is a fortified garrison. Hardly seen in medieval Europe, as it requires not only a standing army of some sort but one that stays put in place for a while. Fortresses became more common in the early modern age, along with regular armies.
The Krak *could* be considered a castle, too, as it was the seat of the local lord, but it fits the fortress category much better.

[Pikeman]

Thanks, I didn't know that.:)

[Angel Sulis]

The Krak *could* be considered a castle, too, as it was the seat of the local lord, but it fits the fortress category much better

It was also a major administrative centre, and therefore fits the term 'castle' equally well.

EDIT: I have always loved Chepstow Castle, Gwent, Wales. It's a classic example of different architectural styles over different periods. Kenilworth Castle in England is a great example of a later medieval structure and the move to a more residential fortification. But my real interests lie in the smaller castles, or those that are somewhat forgotten nowadays.

[Moorkh]

Originally posted by Angel Sulis
It was also a major administrative centre, and therefore fits the term 'castle' equally well.


Not sure if I'd count administrative functions as essential elements of a castle... hmmm...
Ah, I give up - this isn't the place for historical semantics.

[Pomerania Prince]

What about Granada in S. Spain. That was very good castle

[hawk_knight]

its a dutch name Naardenfort in holland where i live :cheers: