{"id":8205,"date":"2022-11-09T11:20:13","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T16:20:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aesu.com\/?p=8205"},"modified":"2022-11-09T11:20:13","modified_gmt":"2022-11-09T16:20:13","slug":"the-worlds-most-architecturally-stunning-castles-and-palaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bobeckmedia.com\/aesu\/the-worlds-most-architecturally-stunning-castles-and-palaces\/","title":{"rendered":"The World\u2019s Most Architecturally Stunning Castles and Palaces"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>
Castles and palaces are typically open to the public and contain museums or period-accurate furnishings, but their elegant allure remains even if nobility no longer lives there.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Castles and palaces are interesting places to explore for travelers, particularly because they offer a glimpse into the pinnacle of architectural design at the time of their construction. These sprawling and towering structures were built for nobility and the royal family of their respective homelands, and no expense was spared to build a complex better in every way than those of their peers. Today, castles and palaces are typically open to the public and contain museums or period-accurate furnishings, but their elegant <\/span>allure<\/span><\/a> remains even if nobility no longer lives there. Here are some of the most stunning castles and palaces that stand out, particularly with their architectural design.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mont Saint-Michel, France<\/span><\/h2>\n

Versailles<\/span><\/a> Palace gets all of the attention in France and for good reason. It is the pinnacle of opulence, passed down to us from one of the most opulent royalties in the world in the Bourbons. However, we want to draw attention to another stunning castle \u2013 Mont Saint-Michel, which is located on an island about one kilometer off the northwestern coast between Brittany and Normandy. It is considered by many to be the pinnacle of medieval architecture. The main draw is the Benedictine abbey church which dominates the skyline of the island. It was built in the 11<\/span>th<\/span> and 12<\/span>th<\/span> centuries and incorporates a Romanesque styling, combined with a touch of Gothic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Himeji Castle, Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n

Due to earthquakes, fires, and bombings during World War II, not many of Japan\u2019s medieval castles survive to us in their original forms. Many were reconstructed over the years \u2013 both before and after the war \u2013 and incorporate styles faithful to their originals. Himeji Castle, located outside of <\/span>Osaka<\/span><\/a> in the Kansai region, is one of the best known exceptions. Parts of the castle date all the way back to its founding in 1333, and expansions continued until about 1618. The castle complex survived American bombing during World War II, and it even survived the Great Hanshin Earthquake that devastated the region in 1995. Himeji Castle recently underwent extensive clean-up and restorations and reopened to much fanfare in 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pena Palace, Portugal<\/span><\/h2>\n

Located in the town of Sintra, near Lisbon, Pena Palace is likely the most colorful palace in the world! The yellow, red, and grey exterior is bright and typical of other Portuguese architecture. It can easily be seen on a clear day from Lisbon city as it was constructed on top of a hill in the Sintra mountains. Completed in 1854 at the behest of the young King consort Ferdinand II, the palace is considered one of the hallmarks of Romanticism as applied to architectural design. After the Republican Revolution of 1910, the palace was designated by the state as a national monument and opened to the public as a museum. The vivacious exterior of the castle is all thanks to a new paint job, faithful to the original style, which was completed at the end of the 20<\/span>th<\/span> century.<\/span><\/p>\n

Explore the World with AESU!<\/span><\/h2>\n

Are you ready to plan an adventure of a lifetime? AESU offers unique, thrilling travel programs for college students and young professionals at affordable rates. Each trip is action-packed and informal\u2014designed just for people your own age. We are also able to design custom tours just for your group.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Experience an exhilarating adventure in 2022 on the\u00a0<\/span>Cosmopolitan<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Great Escape<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Greek Island Hopper tour,<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and more! 2022 tour dates are now available! If you have any questions or want help booking your next adventure, please contact AESU by calling 800-638-7640, or fill out the contact form found on our website. Follow AESU on\u00a0<\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Twitter<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>LinkedIn<\/span><\/a>, and\u00a0<\/span>Pinterest<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Castles and palaces are interesting places to explore for travelers, particularly because they offer a glimpse into the pinnacle of architectural design at the time of their construction. These sprawling and towering structures were built for nobility and the royal family of their respective homelands, and no expense was spared to build a complex better […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"postBodyCss":"","postBodyMargin":[],"postBodyPadding":[],"postBodyBackground":{"backgroundType":"classic","gradient":""},"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[230,559,741],"class_list":["post-8205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aesu-world-travel","tag-castle","tag-castles","tag-palace"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe World\u2019s Most Architecturally Stunning Castles and Palaces - AESU Travel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Castles and palaces are open to the public and contain museums or period-accurate furnishings. 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