Some of these towering structures have been the inspiration for our favorite fairytale films.
As children, many of us have been enchanted by the magic and grandeur of our favorite fairytale castles. In real life, some of these castles do exist, serving as inspirations for storytellers and artists.
According to Oliver Bell, co-founder of Oliver’s Travels, they have come up with the formula for the perfect fairytale castle.
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The criteria includes having multiple, tall and pointy turrets and multi-layered roofs. These castles are also situated in remote or unique locations, often on an elevated position.
Here are just some of those perfect storybook castles as well as some of the inspirations behind our favorite Disney and Pixar structures.
Hochosterwitz Castle
Hochosterwitz Castle in Austria is one of the country’s most impressive medieval castles.
The castle sits atop a 172-meter-high rock to the east of the town of St. Veit an der Glan in Carinthia. According to some, it was the inspiration for the castle in Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Hochosterwitz Castle’s current form has been around since the 16th century, remaining in the possession of the Khevenhüller family.
Parts of the castle are now open to the public, where tourists can experience a range of cultural programmes, concerts, and exhibitions.
Alcázar de Segovia
In a list released by Disney, it was confirmed that Spain’s Alcázar de Segovia was the inspiration for the queen’s castle in Snow White.
The real life castle dates back to the 12th century and is now one of the most visited landmarks in Spain. Sitting atop a rocky crag, it’s been the home of many Kings and historical figures.
Today, the castle serves as a museum and a military archives building. UNESCO has also declared it a World Heritage Site.
Neuschwanstein Castle
In the same list, Disney revealed that Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland in California. The castle in the 1959 film was inspired by the Château de Saumur in France.
According to Disney, the German castle features “fairytale architecture” and a “picturesque setting.” In reality, it was King Ludwig II of Bavaria who commissioned the 19th century structure.
The Bavarian Palace Administration states that over 1.3 million people visit the castle every year, with as many as 6,000 per day in the summer.
Mont-Saint-Michel
France’s Mont-Saint-Michel, off the coast of Normandy, is the perfect fairytale setting. Situated on a rocky island, the structure is surrounded by tidal flats and becomes encircled by the sea during high tide.
Disney has claimed it as the inspiration for Rapunzel’s real home in Tangled. The Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey sits at the top of the island and sees millions of visitors every year. The Gothic-style Benedictine abbey is among the most visited cultural sites in France.
Mont-Saint-Michel has been on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 1979. “Through the unique combination of the natural site and the architecture, the Mont-Saint-Michel constitutes a unique aesthetic success,” UNESCO stated.
Eilean Donan
Castle DunBroch from Pixar’s Brave was partially based on Eilean Donan in Scotland. Dunnottar Castle was another source of inspiration for the animation team.
The 13th century castle located in the Scottish Highlands is dubbed “the most beautiful castle in Scotland,” according to the BBC. It sits on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet.
In 1719, the castle was almost destroyed forever. It lay in ruins for almost 200 years, until the Macrae-Gilstrap family purchased it in 1911. The family then hired Farquhar MacRae to fix up the castle, who claimed to see it in its full glory in a dream.
Re-opened in 1932, Eilean Donan is now one of the most popular sites in Scotland. It has appeared in the 1999 James Bond movie The World is Not Enough and the 2007 film Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
Banner image via Wikimedia Commons.
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