Castles may once have been used to fortify and defend, but they now serve to dazzle and impress. There are 500 castles in the diminutive country of Wales alone, with many more thousands strewn across Europe; remnants of battles lost and won throughout the Middle Ages. It’s unlikely the belligerents, all those centuries ago, would imagine the rock-hewn battlements becoming tourists attractions, film sets and wedding venues - but luxury homes? That’s a tad less surprising. Many of the castles have remained privately owned throughout centuries of wear and tear, and these are some of the most impressive constructions that money can buy.
Castilo de Castilnovo
You can live like a Spanish king of queen in this five-storey eighth-century castle on the banks of the San Juan river. The fortified residence dates back to the time of Abd-al Rahman and was once the residence of Juana La Loca, sister of Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII. In modern times, the building was used to house a museum and has also served as a hotel and restaurant, which is why there’s a total of 24 bathrooms. The buyer also gets themselves expansive gardens, a library full of rare books and a dining hall that can accommodate at least 400 guests.
Castello di Tavoleto
Located in the Marche region of Italy, this 14th-century castle sits just 25 km from Rimini, 100 km from Bologna, and 80 km from Ancona and offers panoramic views of the sea from San Marino to Mount Catria and Nerone. Currently used for fashion shows, congress meetings, foodie events and exhibitions, but was chiefly restored when it was snapped up and turned into a restaurant in the ‘60s. The eight-floor property can now be yours for just EUR 5.2 million
Château Mirwart
How about this for a fixer upper? The oldest parts of this Belgian castle date back to the seventh century, though records for mention Château Mirwart at some point in the early 11th century. Confusingly located in “Luxembourg” – a province of Belgium – the home has endured a number of conflicts Spain, Austria and France in the 17th and 18th centuries where it was damaged several times and has long since lost its fortress aesthetic. The castle now resembles a manor and was looted after World War II, meaning you’ll have to bring your own furniture and fittings – and that’s quite a lot of work when there are 45 bedrooms with bathrooms and six lounges on the ground floor alone.
French chateau estate
The price tag may seem a big hefty, but this 200-acre $34 million estate has seen a price drop of more than 43%. The chateau is 45-minute drive (or 10-minute chopper ride) from Geneva and is engulfed by the stunning mountains of the Jura valley. The site’s seven historic building have been treated to ‘award-winning’ restoration work over the past six years, upgrading the five-story chateau and six outbuildings. From the entrance hall’s gothic staircase to the second-floor Louis XVI apartment, the grand building is sure to leave an impression. Then there’s the stables with space for an indoor riding school, gardener’s house, workshop building with period ovens and a squared inner courtyard with a 500 square-metre terrace.
Mallorcan seafront Villa
This Mallorcan property may resemble a castle in the eyes of Hollywood, but the old sea fort takes you to the gun show with its original cannons intact. The plot of land includes 200 metres of coastline with direct access to the Med, as well as the original stone defence tower dating from 1751. The large living area includes a dining room, five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a large kitchen. There’s also separate guest apartment with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and kitchen, and a swimming pool with views from the east of the island, as shown in the video below.
