Castles provided safety and protection through fortified walls and defenses. They displayed the owner's wealth and status. Castles typically had high walls, small windows, and were situated in strategic locations like near rivers, seas, hills or mountains to make invading difficult. The central keep housed the Great Hall and living quarters. Surrounding curtain walls enclosed the bailey area. A moat and fortified gatehouse further strengthened defenses. Within, castles had halls, chambers, kitchens, wells and sometimes private chapels decorated with paintings and stained glass.