#866 Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

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When I was a child, my parents took me to see Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. I thought it was fantastic and pretty and impressive, but I think I took it for granted that such castles are a normal thing to exist, not connecting the fantastical nature of fairy tales with the unlikelihood of reality. In truth, Disney modeled its Disneyland castle on this one, and not the other way around, and the castle has been open to the public since 1886 when its owner died.

Kept isolated by a smart drawbridge over a deep channel (although reachable by road via another path), it was the epitomy of all the stories -- imagination coming true. There was a fabulous museum with all the furniture and the stories of the family that built it. The reality was a unique imagination of a man - Ludwig II, who not only paid for it without using state funds and hired many local workers to build it, but managed to imagine the magnificent place itself -- a very well-fitted hideaway for a reclusive king -- picturesquely located, of course. 

Beautifully decorated both inside an out in a romanesque style, it is the perfect picture postcard image.

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Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein_Castle

#883 Krak de Chevaliers, Syria

Near the border between Lebanon and Syria in the historic hills controlled by so many different peoples over the millenia, lies the Krak de Chevaliers, one of the most famous crusader castles. Castles are one of my favorite relics of history -- they are living history, moving out of a story book and into an imaginable reality. The ramparts, the arches, the tunnels, the turrets and towers -- all of them can bring history to life, although I think my favorite architectural feature are the narrow windows created to make it as difficult as possible to throw or shoot something inside (but still wide enough for an arrow to be shot out). The layers of inhabitants from the underground servants, to the kitchens, and the barracks for soliders -- all are fascinating.

Krak de Chevaliers (a name coined as recently as the 19th Century when romanticism caused a revival in interest in the crusader ruins) has over time been the residence of Kurds, the County of Tripoli (which lay just north of the Kingdom of Jerusalem), the Knights Hospitalier, and was conquered by the Mamluk Sultan Baibars after a 36 day seige. It watches over the strategic Homs gap, and is only one of a series of castles that helped Christian crusaders keep control of the Holy Land.

As one of the most important preserved medieval castles in existence, it holds many fascinations including a large chapel, hall of the knights, inner and outer wards, many walls including decorative frescoes. If you're lucky you'll find your way into a dark cavern down a seemingly never-ending stairwell -- bring a torch!

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak_des_Chevaliers