Oldest Castles in the World – Learn About Castles in Europe

What is the oldest castle in the world, and where is the oldest castle in the world? The oldest castles in the world can be found throughout the general European and Middle Eastern regions, although there are instances of castles in other locations. In this article, we are going to examine ten of the most ancient castles, and discuss their general history, construction, and location. Keep reading to learn more about some of the oldest castles in the world!

The Oldest Castles in the World

Castles have remained some of the most famous pieces of fortified architecture for centuries. We typically associate these structures with the European medieval period, but castles, or similar structures, have been designed and constructed for far longer. Some of the most common characteristics that these fortified structures have are the use of thick walls, towers, battlements, moats, and other defensive formations.

We will now examine ten of the oldest castles in the world.

Warwick Castle (1068) in Warwickshire

The Warwick Castle (1068 CE); DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Warwick Castle is an ancient medieval castle located in Warwickshire, and it is considered to be one of the oldest and most important castles of its kind because it was constructed under the orders of William the Conqueror after he took control of the country.

The original structure made use of a motte-and-bailey design, but a century later, it was rebuilt with stone fortifications to replace the wooden originals. Then, as the centuries went on, the structure was further expanded and developed, and various monarchs saw to further expansions and heightened defensive improvements.

The reason for this was because it remained an important military site for many centuries and was involved in a number of wars, such as the Hundred Years’ War and the War of the Roses.

Rochester Castle (1068) in Rochester

The Rochester Castle (1087 CE); Shaun Dunmall from Maidstone, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rochester Castle is another of the medieval castles that were built under the orders of William the Conqueror. Much like Warwick Castle, it started its life as a wooden motte-and-bailey castle that was then developed into a stone structure about a century later. Some of the later additions included the construction of the now-famous round tower and the gatehouse. One of the more interesting facts about Rochester Castle is that the keep is one of the tallest of its kind in Europe, and it sits at a height of 34 m (or 113 ft). Like many ancient castles, it was extensively reworked and reconstructed by numerous monarchs over the centuries.

The structure was used as both a royal residence and a military stronghold, but it has since served in numerous other roles, such as serving as a prison and a mint.

Windsor Castle (1070) in Windsor

The Windsor Castle (1070 CE); Steve Evans from Citizen of the World, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Windsor Castle is one of the most famous castles in the United Kingdom, and this is because it is also one of the official residences of the current monarchy. It was particularly used as a royal residence by the late Queen Elizabeth II. For this reason, the structure has become a notable tourist destination in the country.

However, like many of the earliest castles that are still standing, it was first constructed as a motte-and-bailey castle by none other than William the Conqueror (once again). Similarly to the above castle, it was later extensively expanded and reconstructed, with more additions being made to the structure as successive monarchs came to power.

The present iteration of the castle makes use of a Gothic architectural style, which was prominently used in many medieval castles and churches.

Hohensalzburg Fortress (1077) in Salzburg

The Hohensalzburg Castle (1077 CE); Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hohensalzburg Fortress is a fortress with a medieval origin located in Austria. This is one of the best-preserved castles in Europe and a stunning example of a Gothic castle. Much like many of the oldest castles in the world, it was first constructed as a wooden structure by a much earlier leader. In this case, that early leader was Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein, but over the centuries, it was redeveloped and expanded until it reached its present state, and there were still modifications being done as late as the 17^th century. Unlike many other castles, this castle was not intended to be used as a royal residence for the monarchs, but instead as a residence for the archbishops of the city.

It is now one of the most famous structures in Austria and has been visited by many famous figures over the centuries, and it was even admired by Adolf Hitler to the point where he wanted to turn it into his own residence.

Cochem (1130) in Rhineland-Palatinate

Reichsburg Cochem (1130 CE);  © Steffen Schmitz (Carschten) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 DE or Free Art License, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons

Cochem is technically a town, and the castle is called the Reichsburg Cochem, but it is commonly known under the name of the town. It is, today, a popular tourist destination and enjoyed by a great many people from around the country and the world, but the castle itself was first built under the orders of Count Ezzo of Palatinate-Lotharingia, but it was later occupied and then destroyed, and then rebuilt. The reconstruction made use of a Neo-Gothic architectural style, and that is the form that the castle has to this day.

While this castle does not have the same history as a particularly important residence over the centuries, it does persist to this day as a museum and an important site in Germany that sees thousands of visitors every year thanks to the picturesque views from the hilltop castle.

Krak des Chevaliers (1140s – 1170) Outside Homs

Krak des Chevaliers (1170 CE); Krak_des_Chevaliers_landscape.jpg: (Ergo)derivative work: Nev1, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Krak des Chevaliers is yet another of the medieval castles, but this one is not actually located in Europe but instead in the Middle East. This Syrian castle is one of the best-preserved of its kind and an important historical site. Like many of the oldest castles in the world, it started its life as a wooden structure that was later developed into something far more fortified and constructed out of stone. It was further expanded with concentric walls, multiple towers, halls, and so on.

It was used, for several decades, as a fortress of the Knights Hospitaller. It was later taken over and used as a fortress for many centuries.

Citadel of Aleppo (12th Century) in Aleppo

The Citadel of Aleppo (3000 BCE); © Vyacheslav Argenberg / http://www.vascoplanet.com/, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Citadel of Aleppo is a difficult location to determine in particular depth. The current citadel is a work from the medieval period, but there are claims that the original construction goes back as far as the 3^rd century, but this has not been definitively corroborated.

For this reason, this citadel may be the oldest fortification of its kind in the world, but it cannot be conclusively determined whether or not that is indeed the case. The present castle was constructed by the Ayyubids, who maintained it for some time, but it was later taken over by the Mamluks and later the Ottomans.

Parts of the original structure were also used as a place of worship, and that location was later converted into a mosque.

Alcázar of Segovia (12th Century) in Segovia

The Alcázar of Segovia (Eleventh century CE); Alcázar of Segovia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alcázar of Segovia is one of the most stunning examples of castle architecture in Europe and one of the most distinctive in Spain. The silhouette has become particularly famous because of its apparent resemblance to a ship’s bow. To add to this, the castle itself has a lengthy history behind it. It was first constructed by the Almoravid dynasty, which was a Berber Muslim dynasty, and it was then expanded by several successive dynasties until it was captured and even further altered by Christian kings that then turned the castle into their residence.

It was later badly damaged in a fire and then restored once again. Over the centuries, it has been used for various purposes, from being a library to a prison.

Alhambra (13th – 15th Centuries) in Granada

Alhambra Castle (13-15th century); Jebulon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alhambra is another of the immensely famous Spanish castles that were first constructed during the late-medieval period. It was first constructed by the Nasrid dynasty, and they constructed it by hiring a diverse range of artists and architects from across Europe to design something utterly unique. The ultimate structure would go on to become one of the most stunning examples of Islamic architecture in the world.

It was later taken over by Christian conquerors, and they performed their own changes and modifications to this now immensely famous castle in Europe.

Killyleagh Castle (17th – 19th Centuries) in Killyleagh

The Killyleagh Castle (1180 CE); Killyleagh Castle (2013) by Albert Bridge, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Killyleagh Castle is another of the castles that may be older than it first appears. The present structure was built by the Hamilton family between the 17th and 19th centuries, but the original structure underneath the present one may date back to the 12th century. This would make it a medieval castle too, and one of the oldest examples of a castle in Europe. However, the present Hamilton construction was extensively altered and expanded over the centuries until the present form of the castle was attained. The castle is still occupied by the current iteration of the Hamilton family, and the castle is occasionally used for certain events, such as concerts. It has also been used in film shoots.

We have come to the end of our discussion about ten of the oldest castles in the world. We have looked at each of these ancient castles and their history, general construction, and location. Castles have formed an integral part of world architecture for hundreds of years, and hopefully, you have learned about some of the oldest and most famous ones today. However, there is always more to learn about!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Castle?

A castle is a form of structure designed to be a fortification. These are typically associated with the medieval period, and medieval castles tend to be the most famous of these structures. Castles are usually designed to have thick walls, moats, battlements, and locations for soldiers to live, as they were generally designed to withstand sieges. Castles have remained some of the most famous pieces of ancient architecture.

What Is the Oldest Castle in the World?

The oldest castle in the world is arguable but often considered to be the Citadel of Aleppo. This medieval castle is located in the city of the same name, which is in Syria. However, the location itself has been used for a lot longer, and there is evidence that it has been occupied since the 3^rd millennium BCE. However, the original structure from that period has long since been replaced, and only archaeological evidence suggests its existence.

Where Is the Oldest Castle in the World?

The oldest castle in the world is located in Syria, and as the Middle Eastern region is connected with the Ancient Mesopotamian cultures, this makes sense. Some of the oldest pieces of monumental architecture in the world are located in the Mesopotamian region, and while many of those are not fortifications, their immense influence could have aided in the development of similarly impressive fortification architecture.

What Is the Oldest Castle in Europe?

The oldest castle in Europe is not an easy question to answer, as it can be difficult to determine specific dates. However, locations such as the Château de Doué-la-Fontaine in France may be the oldest as it can be dated to the 10^th century. However, there is much debate about whether some of these ancient structures are indeed as old as they are claimed to be.

What Is the Oldest Castle in Asia?

Some of the oldest castles in Asia can be found in Japan. Buildings like the Matsumoto Castle, which was constructed in the 16th century, have stood as one of the most beautiful and ancient castles ever constructed. To further add to their impressiveness, many of these Japanese castles were constructed out of wood, and so only a few have managed to survive.

Justin van Huyssteen( Writer, Academic, Educator )

Justin van Huyssteen is a writer, academic, and educator from Cape Town, South Africa. He holds a master’s degree in Theory of Literature. His primary focus in this field is the analysis of artistic objects through a number of theoretical lenses. His predominant theoretical areas of interest include narratology and critical theory in general, with a particular focus on animal studies. Other than academia, he is a novelist, game reviewer, and freelance writer. Justin’s preferred architectural movements include the more modern and postmodern types of architecture, such as Bauhaus, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Brutalist, and Futurist varieties like sustainable architecture. Justin is working for artfilemagazine as an author and content writer since 2022. He is responsible for all blog posts about architecture.

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