castle
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Nagoya Castle: One of Japan’s Most Important Castles
The capital of Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, is home to what was once one of the most important castles in Japan. Nagoya Castle, or Meijo as it is sometimes known, is one of the “100 most famous castles in Japan”. In fact Meijo means “famous castle” in Japanese. It is also sometimes called Kinkojo (“Golden Shachi…
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Tsuruga Castle: Eastern Japan’s Largest Castle
Located in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, Tsuruga Castle was historically eastern Japan’s largest castle, a display of wealth and power by the ruling daimyo family. History of Tsuruga Castle A castle has stood on this site since 1384, when the then-ruling Ashina clan built a palace at the crossroads on a main highway…
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Maruoka Castle: Japan’s Oldest Castle
Located in Fukui Prefecture just north of Fukui city is Japan’s oldest castle: Maruoka Castle. Dating back to the early 1600s, it is the oldest castle still standing in Japan today. About Maruoka Castle Construction Maruoka dates back to the late Sengogku Era, also known as the Japanese Period of Warring States (i.e. huge civil…
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Unveiling Dunollie Castle: History, Haunts & Breathtaking Views
Standing sentinel over the Scottish coast just below the Scottish Highlands, Dunollie Castle tells tales of a bygone era. Steeped in history that stretches back to the dawn of Gaelic kingdoms, it was a seat of power for the Clan MacDougall. In its heyday, it witnessed battles, power struggles, and the ebb and flow of…
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Osaka Castle Park and Cherry Blossoms: A Match Made in Heaven
When it comes to cherry blossom season in Japan, Osaka Castle is a must-visit destination. This magnificent castle has stood for centuries, bearing witness to important moments in Japanese history and culture. But during cherry blossom season, the castle and its surrounding grounds take on a special kind of magic. The air is filled with…
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Visiting beautiful Inuyama Castle, Japan
Japan is a country long steeped in history and tradition. One of the best ways to experience this is by visiting its many castles, especially the ones that have withstood the tests of time. One such castle that stands out is Inuyama Castle, located in Aichi Prefecture. It is one of only 12 remaining original…
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Kokura Castle, Kitakyushu, Japan
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Matsumoto Castle Grand Taiko Festival – Japanese Drumming
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Visiting Matsumoto Castle (松本城), Japan
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Eltz Castle, Germany – A Living Castle
Eltz Castle is a majestic little castle. It sits on a rock in a small wooded valley in Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz) in Germany. Although definitely among the lesser-known castles (unlike Hohenzollern or Neuschwanstein), it is extremely appropriate for its location and has a few unique features, both physically and as well as features of its history.…
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The Gardens of Versailles, France – Living Like Kings
While I have to admit that I usually cannot pass up seeing a garden when I travel (case in point: Parc del laberinth d’Horta in Barcelona), there are those that stand out from the rest. An example that I highly recommend is the Gardens of Versailles. History Much like the palace, Louis XIV expanded and…
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Laxenburg, Austria – The play park of emperors
Laxenburg is a town in the federal state of Lower Austria /Niederösterreich located to the south of the capital city, Vienna. Laxenburg is well known for its castles. It has three: the Altes Schloss (old castle), the Blauer Hof (Blue Court) and Franzensburg Castle. For a small town of under 3000 people, this is quite…
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Loarre Castle, Spain – The final defence
Loarre Castle is quite a special place due to its history; it is not only one of the oldest castles in Spain, but also a fortified abbey. Originally built as the line of last defence in northern Huesca (Aragon) against the Moorish invaders. Then it became a fortified religious site and expanded over the next…
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Balzers, Liechtenstein – On the valley floor
Balzers is a small town in Liechtenstein that is located in the south-west portion of the country, across the border (and the Rhein River, which is the border) from the Swiss town of Sargans. Balzers (like all places in Liechtenstein) is a small town a few thousand inhabitants. What sets it apart is the castle,…
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Vianden Castle, Luxembourg – The birthplace of the lowlands
After visiting Luxembourg City, our next stop was Vianden and its famous castle. Vianden lies in a valley along the German–Luxembourg border where the river Our passes through. The town is located on both sides of the river and has grown along it rather than up the steep sides. It is also partially located in…
