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Richard Anderson
Professor Ruiz-Kigerl
Humanities 1001
Final Project - Architecture
12 May 2012
European Castles
European Castle architecture has been of interest and historical significance for over
a thousand years. These amazing structures have been the centers of western civilization,
protecting the growing sophistication of western thought and development from would be
conquering armies of neighboring lands. Castles range in a variety of structural designs
to serve both artistic beauty as well as functional purpose.
The Neuschwanstein castle shown below was the inspiration for the famous icon of
Walt Disney Pictures. Due to political reasons, Ludwig II chose this narrow ridge to
build his dream castle and withdraw from public life. This castle's location is ideal for
privacy, with only a narrow access along its underlying ridge. Beginning in 1869, the
castle used the latest building techniques to emulate the earlier medieval era style by

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(Neuschwanstein Castle, photo by Neuschwansteincastle.net)
using cement foundations, walls made of brick, and limestone exterior for show. "Up to
8 meters of stone outcrop [were] removed to make way for the foundations," (Bayerische
Schlosserverwaltung). This sky-oriented structure has far-reaching views of the
northeastern valley, and its central steel-framed Palas section was not completed until
1892, six years after Ludwig's death.
Another castle of architectural significance is the Buda Castle of Budapest, Hungary.
Begun in the 14th century, the Buda Castle consisted of two wings surrounding a
courtyard, with an eastern third wing serving as a "double chapel, of which the lower part
has been uncovered," (Castles and Palaces of the World). Construction of various
segments continued for four centuries.

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(photo from Castles and Palaces of the World)
(Buda Castle defense walls, photo by Castles and Palaces of the World)
The superb defense walls seen lower segment of the above image were built between the
late 1300s and early 1400s during the time of King Sigismund (1387-1437) and are "still
mostly intact" today, (Castles and Palaces of the World). Though blending in with
several structures surrounding the Buda Castle, this hilltop structure is both earth-resting
and earth-dominating. Its stately architecture was enhanced functionally by Matthias
Corvinus (1458-1490) who added a library, observatory, living quarters, and throne
room.

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Probably the most intriguing aspect of the Buda Castle is the six-mile stretch of an
underground labyrinth, one mile of which is open to tourism today.
(Buda Castle labyrinth, photo by Visit Budapest.travel)
(Buda Castle labyrinth, photo by Visit Budapest.travel)
This underground labyrinth was used as a harem by the Turks in the 15th century, a
prison to many including the notorious Vlad Tepes, also known as the original Count
Dracula, and also served as a hospital during World War II. It is clear that underground
architectural design is both functional as well as durable.
In England, a beautiful castle complex known as the Leeds Castle provides an
uncomplicated serene setting for three main structures:

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(Leeds Castle, photo by Leeds Castle Enterprises)
(Leeds Castle, photo by Viatar)

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Originally an earthwork enclosure about 875 A.D., the wooden structure was
replaced by this "fortified stone castle in 1119," (Castle.me.uk). Note that the castle is
situated on two small adjacent islands surrounded by the River Len. Sporting three main
buildings, each with its own drawbridge, gate, and portcullis (strong movable iron grating
to allow or not allow passage through a gateway), the Leeds Royal Palace, as King Henry
VIII later named it, was an ideal fortress to withstand siege. It is easy to image several
archers standing atop the high walls, protected within the gaps in the upper perimeter,
raining arrows down upon an invading army. Used as a fortified base, a provision center,
and a visual outpost for the surrounding terrain, one main use of this earth-dominating
structure was to instill awe and "frighten the indigenous population," (Castles.me.uk).
This complex demands, and apparently received, much attention. It is also important to
note the use of space within and around these structures. There exists great balance
between the design and form of the buildings themselves, as well as a proportionate large
spatial grassy domain centrally located, possibly used for pageants, competition, or other
events we can only imagine took place.
The last castle complex I would like to present is the magnificent Prague Castle of
Prague, Republic of Czechoslovakia. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the
Prague Castle stakes claim as the largest castle complex in the world.

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(Prague Castle, photo by National Geographic)
This enormous complex was first founded in about 880 A.D. complete with rampart
and what became known as the Stag moat; named so because of the Brusnice stream
running nearby and the breeding of deer near its boundaries during the 17th century.
The most prominent feature of the Prague Castle is the ancient St. Vitus church built
in the 11th century. This towering edifice to man's ability to create was "an important
educational and cultural institution," (Prague Castle). This gothic building stretches up
into the heavens, and is at the heart of the entire complex.

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(St. Vitus exterior, photo by Prague Castle site)

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(St. Vitus interior, photo by Prague Castle site)
"The Royal Garden was founded . . . in the 16th century" (Prague Castle), and St.
Wenceslas Vineyard founded around the same time is still tended today.

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(St. Wenceslas Vineyard, photo by Prague Castle site)
The Old Royal Palace houses the famous Vladislav Hall where important state
gatherings have been held since the 16th century. This hall's use of light and
(Old Royal Palace, photo by Prague Castle site)
spaciousness, along with artistic wall design, makes its use as a meeting place well-
suited.

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(Vladaslav Hall, photo by Prague Castle site)
These few photos of the Prague Castle are only the tip of the iceberg where this
magnificent complex is concerned. Not presented in this essay are the Basilica of St.
George, the National Gallery of paintings and sculptures, the Powder Tower once used as
an alchemist's laboratory, the Royal Garden, the South Gardens, as well as the Golden
Lane which has many buildings stacked side-by-side very similar to some San Francisco,
California avenues.
The architecture of European castles has much to teach us with regard to artistic
beauty, diversity in construction, historical significance, endurance, and awe. The castles
presented in this essay are only a few of the hundreds which still exist in the world today.
Some tower into the clouds, and others spread across the landscape like an evolving
universe of their own, and each house a special history of humankind, work well with
their surroundings, and continue to have functions today and most likely for the
foreseeable future.

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Works Cited
Bayerische Schlosserverwaltung.
http://www.neuschwanstein.de/englisch/palace/history.htm
Castles and Palaces of the World. http://www.everycastle.com/Buda-Castle.html
Castles.me.uk. http://www.castles.me.uk/leeds-castle-timeline.htm
Leeds Castle Enterprises. http://www.leeds-castle.com/land.php
Prague Castle. http://www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle/guidepost-for-visitors/index.shtml
Viatar. http://www.viator.com/photos/London/Leeds-Castle/d737-3013/1875232
Visit Budapest.travel.
http://visitbudapest.travel/activities/fun-things-to-do/labyrinth-of-buda-castle/