7 most beautiful castles in the world | IN PICS

Chateau de Pierrefonds in Northern France- This castle was in ruins for over two centuries when Napoleon I bought it in 1810 for less than 3,000 francs. In the 19th century, it gained fame as a romantic ruin and was later extensively restored under Napoleon III.

Castle of Rocca Calascio in Italy- Rocca Calascio stands at an elevation of approximately 1,460 meters (4,790 feet), making it the highest fortress in the Apennines and one of the highest castles in Europe. It is nearly a thousand years old.

Edinburgh Castle in Scotland- This historic fortress perched atop Castle Rock, which has been occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age, is Scotland's most visited paid tourist attraction.

The City Palace Museum in Udaipur is housed within the very iconic, 450-year-old palace, the former abode of the rulers of Mewar. It was formally declared as a Museum open to the public in 1969 through the efforts of Maharana Bhagwat Singh of Mewar.

Eltz Castle in Germany- This magnificent medieval castle, nestled in the hills above the Moselle River between Koblenz and Trier, remains under the ownership of a branch of the House of Eltz, whose family has resided there since the 12th century.

Neuschwanstein Castle, commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a tribute to composer Richard Wagner, inspired Disneyland’s iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Orava Castle in Slovakia- This remarkable site served as the hauntingly atmospheric backdrop for the 1922 horror classic Nosferatu, representing Count Orlok’s Transylvanian castle.