Famous Castles: Orava Castle, Slovakia

 

Wiki Media Commons

Orava Castle is located in northern Slovakia on a hilltop overlooking the Orava River.

 

 

The Orava Castle Official Website provides an overview video with special guest appearances by Nosferatu:

 

 The Medieval Heritage Website provides an excellent and detailed historical and architectural overview:

Oravský Podzámok – Orava Castle

 

Castle Layout

We begin our trek at the First Gate (17 in the above plan):

 Magnificent views from the battlements:

The castle was one of the settings used in the ground breaking 1922 vampire film:  Nosferatu

 

 

Famous Castles: Almourol Castle, Portugal

 

Flybyzion on Dronestagram

Daniel Feliciano, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

 Almourol Castle, Portugal is located on an island in the Tagus River northeast of Lisbon in the very heart of Portugal.

 Panoramic Overview Video:

Some history and description:

We begin our trek at the imposing main gate:

 

From high up on the battlements enjoy some panoramic views of the Tagus River and surrounding countryside:

And after a climb up to the top of the highest tower, the view is even more stunning:

 

Famous Castles: Cahir Castle, Ireland

 

Heritage Ireland

Cahir Castle dates from the 13th century and is one of the largest castles in Ireland.  It was built on an island in the river Suir not a long way from Tipperary.

 

An aerial view of the castle:

 

The Enjoy Irish Culture website provides some excellent...

History of Cahir Castle

 

History Video from Experience Ireland:

We begin our trek at the portcullis gate:

Or take the scenic trail around the exterior walls of the castle: