My Obsession With Castles

Alcazar de Segovia

The Alcazar de Segovia is located in the old city of Segovia, Spain.  Although originally built as a stone fortress and fortification, it has served as a state prison, a royal palace, a Royal Artillery college and a military academy. Today, it serves as one of the most popular tourist destinations and historial hotspots in Spain .   Due to its location and presence, it remains one of the most notable and distinctive castles in Spain to this day.

The Alcazar de Segovia, like many of its predecessors and other historical fortifications, began as an Arab fort, but little of the original structure actually remains.   When it was first built remains uncertain, but early mention of this Alcazar appears around 1120 when Segovia returned to Christian hands.  Archaeological evidence does suggest the Alcazar de Segovia may have been around even during early Roman times as a fortication, further substantianted by the presence of a famous Roman aqueduct in the Segovia area.  

The Alcazar de Segovia became one of the favourite residences of the royal family of Castile and played an important part in their defense systems. King Alfonso X build the Hall of Kings to house Parliament (see picture of Throne Room). King John II built the famous New Tower. Queen Isabella even took refuge in this castle after King Henry IV's death until she was able to be crowned Queen of Castle and Leon.  Interestingly, it was also the site where she married Ferdinand II.  

Throne Room

When the royal court decided to move to Madrid, the Alcazar became a state prison for almost two hundred years and housed some very famous prisoners.  When King Charles III was crowned he turned Alcazar into a Royal Artillery School, a function that served for over one hundred years.  Unfortunately, Alcazar was badly destroyed by fire in 1862 and has to be abandoned.  King Alfonse XIII, almost twenty years later, decided to invest in Alcazar again, and set upon a restoration project, beliving Alcazar could be used as a military college. 

Today, Alcazar de Segovia continues to serve as a famous historical attraction.  I can't wait to visit Segovia when I go to Spain in March.

Sources:

citypictures.org

eng.corderodesegovia.com

en.wikipedia.org

My Obsession With Castles: Heidelberg Castle

I have this obsession with castles that probably began as a young child reading fantasy novels, and then developed as I began traveling around the world and insisted on visiting as many of these famous sites as I possibly could.  I went through a phase when I was younger where I read as many novels as I could that had settings in castles, and if you combined that with ghost stories...well, I was completely hooked.  I will still drop anything today for a ghost story that takes place in a castle, so if anyone knows of any of these, please let me know and I will run to the bookstore or library.  In fact, I will probably go RIGHT NOW!!

Today, I'd like to feature Heidelberg Castle, a famous ruin in Germany, as I recently came across a beautiful print of this castle in an Etsy Store I was browsing.  I haven't heard a lot about it, so I thought I would feature it in this edition of My Obsession with Castles.

Heidelberg Castle, Germany

Heidelberg Castle was first mentioned as early as 1225 and is actually part of two original castles.  In 1537, the upper castle was apparently destroyed by lightning-bolt, while the lower castle is the one that we continue to see on the hillside today.

Heidelberg Castle was considered a Gothic and Renaissance masterpiece, but today a large part of it is in ruins.  In 1689, French troops set the castle and the town on fire, an occasion which is still commemorated with fireworks three times a year.  Although rebuilt by Karl-Ludwig, it was destroyed yet again in 1693 during the War of Succession.

There is a lot of history to this castle.  While the history is too long to recite here in this blog post, and it really is not my purpose to give a history lesson, I found some facts, in particular, really fascinating.  First of all, Victor Hugo visited the castle in 1838 and really enjoyed strolling around the gardens.  I would imagine it was not his inspiration for Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) and Les Miserables.  I wonder if he used any of the scenery for his other passionate creative outlet, drawing, as Hugo was a very prolific artist, producing over 4 000 drawings in his lifetime.  I can't imagine the beautiful scenery in the German mountains would not have found inspiration in his work.  Second of all, Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate was born at Heidelberg, the same woman who later married the brother of Louis XIV, Philippe I, Duke of Orleans.   I know from my own history lessons that many royal houses in Europe owe their descendency to this marriage, including the Spanish, Italian, Austrian, Bulgarian, Tuscan and Neopolitan royal families.  She is also the great-grandmother of Marie Antoinette.

In the eighteenth century, Heidelberg Castle was often used as a site for concerts, musicals, operas, and musical productions in the courtyard, to the delight of all.  Unfortunately, the early nineteenth century saw the castle being misused as a quarry, the castle stones being used to build new homes in the old town. 

Today, Heidelberg's reputation has spread around the world, with more than three million tourists a year.  Some renovation has occurred, but the main renovations are to preserve what is there and not for reconstruction purposes. The place is idyllic for weddings, and the scenery is breathtaking.  There are many observation towers from which to view the town and surrounding countryside.  If you wish, you can visit during the Heidelberg Castle Summer Festival and be treated to operas and other musical entertainments in the courtyard.

For those who like to exercise, you can take the 315 stairs to the castle (yes, they are numbered) or you can take the ten degree ramp that will make you legs burn.  For those who like to take things somewhat easier, there is a funicular that runs up the side of the mountain, giving the tourist a fantastic view of the town and surrounding countryside.  Whatever way suits your fancy, if you happen to be in this area of Germany, this is a must see tourist attraction!!


Sources
Heidelberg Castle - Majestic, Scenic, Breathtaking
Heidelberg Castle - Wikipedia.com
Pictures from postcard.ca

My Obsession With Castles: Chateau de Chenonceau

I have an absolute obsession and passion about castles.  Whenever I visit Europe, I always make it a special point to visit as many as I can and it doesn't matter if they are in marvelous condition or in complete ruins.  As I am in the midst of reading a biography about Catherine de Medici, I thought I would focus on one my favourites, Chenonceau.

Chateau of Chenonceau

web.france.com

I first visited this Chateau back in 1988 and will have the opportunity to go again next March when I go to France and Spain.  One of the main charms of this castle for me is the fact that it was built, maintained, and protected by a variety of strong women over the years, something very remarkable for the time period.  It was built by Katherine Briconnet in 1513, touched up by Diane de Poitiers, added to by Catherine de Medici, and saved from torching during the French Revolution by Mme Dupin.

It is considered to be remarkable not only for it fantastic architecture and historical background, but also for its amazing collection including Renaissance furniture, period tapestries, and famous art and paintings.  It also contains a formal gardens, park, and labyrinth.  You can visit Catherine de Medici's famous gardens while you are there.

History

Chenonceau was given to Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of Henry II, as a gift after the previous owners could not pay their debts and the castle was confiscated by Henry's father.  Diane de Poitiers became very attached to the castle and made extensive renovations, including the building of the arched bridge, the planting of extensive flower beds and vegetable gardens and a variety of fruit trees.

Diane de Poitiers' Bedroom

After's Henry's death, Catherine de Medici made Chenonceau her own, only after giving Diane de Poitiers Chateau Chaumont because she could not seize it outright as legal manoeuvers had yielded possession to Diane de Poitiers.  But who is going to argue with Catherine de Medici?

In 1560, the first-ever fireworks display was seen in France at Chenonceau to mark the ascension to the throne of Catherine's son Francis II.  Upon Catherine's death, the castle went to her daughter-in-law, Louise de Lorraine-Vaudemont, who spent most of her remaining days there after the death of her husband.

During the Enlightenment, Louise Dupin was the hostess of this magnificent castle and hosted such figures as Voltaire, Montesquieu, de Marivaux, Buffon, and Rousseau.  She is the one who saved the castle during the French Revolution by using it as a supply and commerce post as it had the only bridge with which to cross the river during these difficult times.

Visiting Today
Today, Chenonceau is a fabulous museum to visit.  There is a fabulous restaurant at The Orangerie where you can eat a buffet lunch or dinner, or rent out for receptions or other events.  There is an amazing wax museum where you can visit with the famous women of Chenonceau and see a sumptuous collection of costumes made according to original documents.  For parents with children, Chenonceau is now an UNESCO site for 'On The Trail of The Child King", a living and educational discovery of the Loire Valley. And best of all in my opinion, are the castle and gardens themselves, where you can dream and imagine what life what like during one of my favourite time periods.

http://www.chenonceau.com/
http://www.web.france.com/
my.opera.com

My Obssession With Castles: Trakoscan Castle, Croatia

When I was growing up, my dad had this book of all these famous places in Croatia and I was always drawn to this one picture of this castle.  I remember I used to go back and look at it over and over again, imagining I was princess living in that castle with my handsome prince.  Didn't all girls dream of being princesses?  It wasn't until years later that I learned the history of this castle, and although I've since been to Croatia, my dad's native land, I have yet to visit this place that has always held such a special place in my heart.  Today, however, I'd like to focus on Trakoscan Castle in My Obssession With Castles.

This castle is considered to be one of the most beautiful and also the most romantic castles in the region.  It is located approximately 82 km from Zagred, a city I have visited, and is open daily to the public.  It is now a museum, also containing a library which is accessible only by special permission, a museum shop, and restaurant. 

Its History

Trakoscan Castle was built in the late 13th century as part of Croatia's (Hrvatska's) fortification system, a small fortress for observation.  It is not known who the early owners of the fortress were, but legend states that another fortress stood there in antiquity.  Another legend also claims the knights of Drachenstein were in control of the region in the Middle Ages.  Despite this, the first known owners were the Celjski family who ruled over the entire principality as well as Medimurje, Varazdin and part of present-day Slovenia.  The castle then passed from owner to owner until 1584, when King Maximilian gave the estate to Juraj Draskovic for services rendered.  The castle was badly damaged in the 17th century and was used primarily as a military base during this time, even as they continued to restore and repair the damage done.  

In the second half of the 18th century, Trakoscan was largely abandoned by the family to follow other pursuits, but interest was renewed in the middle of the 19th century when the family returned to its traditions.  The current heir turned the estate into a pleasure ground and the castle into a residential manor-house.  The castle was largely occupied until 1944 when the family was forced to flee to Austria.

Trakoscan Castle Today

The Castle Museum went on permanent display in 1953.  Today the castle is owned by the Republic of Croatia.

The exhibits date from the 15th to the 19th centuries.  The castle has four levels; two ground-floors, the first floor, and the second floor.  The First Ground-Floor includes the kitchen, armorer's shop, storage room, and workshop.  There also used to be a dungeon. (I couldn't find any information on who may have stayed in said dungeon though.) The Second Ground-Floor includes the main part of the building which contains large halls for holding receptions.  The First Floor is the most luxurious as this contains the owners' living quarters.  The Second Floor includes the guest bedrooms.  The rest of the floor acts as a permanent museum for many other articles.

You can also view an amazing collection of portraits spanning over three centuries.  Some of these valuable pieces include works called "The Four Continents" by Mihael Stroy, "the best-known Biedermeier painter in the eastern world".  I adore paintings and portraits and would love to see this collection.  There is also some work by one of the first women in Croatia to achieve the level of an "academic painter", Julijana Erdody.  It would be interesting to learn her story.

What I love best about this castle is the garden.  Apparently it has one of the most beautiful parks in the region and is absolutely amazing to see.  I know I will definitely add this lovely castle to my travel agenda when I return to Croatia.

Sources:
http://www.mdc/hr/trakoscan/eng/dvor-ulaz.html (The Trakoscan Castle)
http://www.croatia-nudistbeaches-scubadiving.com/trakoscan-castle.html (Trakoscan Castle - A Brief History)

My Obsession With Castles - Dragsholm Castle

Last week I featured Bothwell Castle, so I thought it only fitting that this week's feature be Dragsholm Castle, located in Denmark.  Considered one of the most haunted castles in Europe, it reportedly boasts over 100 ghosts within the walls, including the ghost of James Hepburn, the Earl of Bothwell.  I have always been fascinated by this, and have always wanted to visit Denmark and the famous Dragsholm Castle.

History of Dragsholm Castle

Dragsholm Castle is one of the oldest castles in Denmark.  It was first built around 1215 by the Bishop of Roskilde, modified during the middle ages to a fortified castle and eventually was so strong that it was the only castle able to withstand the forces of Count Christoffer in the mid-sixteenth century.   Around 1536, it passed to the Crown during the Reformation and remained as Crown land for over 100 years; it was used during this time as a prison for noble and ecclesiastical prisoners.   Many famous people were held as prisoners for crimes and behaviours against the throne. 

For Visitors

Currently, the Castle is owned and run by the Bottger family as a hotel, restaurant, and attraction.   The hotel rooms have been refurbished and modernised.  The land surrounding the castle is full of lakes and meadows, a nature lover's paradise; it is an area much loved by artists and nature lovers for its undulating landscape and ever-changing appearance. 

Ghosts of Dragsholm Castle

Dragsholm Castle claims to be one of the most haunted castles in Denmark, with over 100 spirits living within its walls.  Amongst all these spirits, three seem to make the most appearances and to gather the most attention to its visitors.

1) The Grey Lady

While staying overnight, a visitor may awaken to find a ghostly lady keeping watch over them because this spirit still keeps an eye on things in order to make sure things are running smoothly.  Apparently, as the legend goes, this lady suffered from a toothache that was cured by someone in the castle.  This grateful spirit returns to check up on visitors ever since and to repay the kind deed of which she was once in need.

2) The White Lady

Unfortunately, this story is a little more tragic.  In the early 20th century, workers were dismantling a wall during a renovation and came across a skeleton dressed in a white gown.  As the story goes, the daughter of a former owner fell in love with a commoner who worked in the castle.  The girl's father eventually discovered them and in a rage, he ordered his daughter to be locked in a room in the castle.  This spirit still haunts the hallways at night.  There are so many stories like this one, aren't there?

3) The Earl of Bothwell

James Bothwell, the consort of Mary, Queen of Scots, is perhaps the most famous of the spirits to haunt Dragsholm Castle.   He was imprisoned in the cellars of Dragsholm Castle for murder of Lord Darnley for the remaining years of his life.  The story goes that he went mad and died in 1578.   Visitors can see the same pillar where the Earl was once chained and some of the artifacts that he had with him during his imprisonment. 

Hotel And Restaurant

Today, Dragsholm Castle is a beautiful place to visit and stay.  It is open during the spring and summer months on a daily basis for those interested in tours of the castle and to learn a bit about the local history and history of the castle.  For those who wish to stay, the castle is a fine establishment in which to stay the night, with all of the modern conveniences you'd expect.  It is also home to Denmark's oldes wine-cellar, originating to the 13th century.  All produce and ingredients used in the restaurant are locally grown, something the restaurant is imminently proud.

I, personally, would love to visit and learn more about the history of this amazing place.  And, maybe, just a little part of me, would love to see one of these spirits that haunt this amazing place.  Without getting scared and hiding under the covers, that is, and ruining the moment. 

Off to Denmark I go one day and I can't wait!!

Sources:

1) Dragsholm Castle

2) Ghosts of Dragsholm Castle

3) Dragsholm Castle

My Castle Obsession - Bothwell Castle, Scotland

Bothwell Castle is one of those castles that I first became infatuated with at the tender age of 14 as it was featured in a romance novel I absolutely adored in which the main character, James, was a descendent of the Bothwell family.  Although I have visited Scotland, I didn't get a chance to visit Bothwell Castle, so I thought I would include it on my list as I plan on going to see it when I go back in a couple of years.

Bothwell Castle is a medieval castle, located about 10 miles south-east of Glasgow.  The castle was first constructed in the 13th century, but underwent a series of sieges and eventually was abandoned in the 18th century.  It is currently managed by Historic Scotland and is open to the public.

History of Bothwell Castle
David Olifant was granted the Barony of Bothwell by King David 1 in the 12th century.  His heir, who married Walter of Moray, began construction of the castle about 100 years later, but by 1296 only managed to complete the main donjon, the prison, the connecting curtain wall, and the foundation for the rest of the building. 

Bothwell's location was often in the way of British invasion forces into Scotland.  In the late 13th century, Bothwell Castle and all its inhabitants, including Walter de Moray and his son William were seized.  The English Garrison holding William and Walter were besieged by the Scots for 14 months, until the English eventually gave up.  However, Edward 1 returned in 1301 with over 6000 men, capturing the castle once again.  The 2nd Earl of Pembroke was appointed the Warden of Scotland and remained at Bothwell for several years.

After the battle of Bannockburn, the English nobility often used Bothwell as a refuge.   This is something I find fascinating, as Sir Walter FitzGilbert surrendered the castle to the Scots and was awarded the barony of Cadzow, the progenitor of the House of Hamilton.  The castle was destroyed after its surrender, again something I find fascinating.  It's a tradition of the Scots to SLIGHT something, meaning to destroy, in order that it cannot be used again by the enemy. 

However, in 1336, the English returned again, but lasted for only a short time as the rightful heir recaptured the castle.  Sir Andrew Murray, the heir, destroyed the west side of the Donjon by having it fall into the river so that it could not be used again by the enemy.  The castle remained unoccupied for around 30 years.

The Reoccupation of Bothwell
Joan Moray married Archibald Douglas, a man with the nickname "The Grim" (lovely, eh?) in 1362.  He was later to be Earl of Douglas, part of the Black Douglases.  He began rebuilding Bothwell, the work being continued by his son. 

Bothwell and all other lands belonging to the 9th Earl of of Douglas were forfeit in 1455 for rebelling against the King. Bothwell exchanged hands many times over the next few years, eventually being granted to Patrick Hepburn who had the Earldom of Bothwell created for him.  He quickly exchanged it for Hermitage Castle with Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus.  In a strange twist of fate, Bothwell Castle ended up back in the hands of the Douglases, this time the Red Douglases.  (Just a note of historical interest, the red Douglas line was restored to peerage in 1633 when William Douglas was created First Marquess of Douglass by Charles 1.)

Bothwell Castle descended through the Earls of Angus, eventually going to the Earls of Forfar.  The 1st Earl of Forfar, Archibald Douglas, constructed a new mansion nearby that stood until the early twenties.  In 1715, a lawsuit arose over an inheritance issue and Archibald Steward of Grandtully won, so the castle reverted to the Earls of Home.

Today, there is very little left to see, but it is still interesting to view a place where so much of Scotland's history took place and where so many important historical figures trod.

Source: http://www.castleduncan.com/

Glamis Castle - Scotland

I've been thinking a lot about this lately and I've decided to do a somewhat regular feature on the castles of the world.  I've always had this special fascination with castles and, in particular, with their history.  I look for books and novels, both fiction and non-fiction, about them, and I never hesitate to read a story that centers around an old European castle, especially if there is a ghost story and time travel involved.  One of the latest books I've read featured Glamis Castle, so I decided to feature this one first.

Glamis Castle is located in Angus, Scotland.  It is the home of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and what is especially intriguing to me for when I go back to Scotland one day, it is open to the public.  It was the childhood home of the Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret was born there.  It is currently featured on the 10-pound notes issues by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

History
Glamis Village can be traced back to the 8th century, and the earliest records of Glamis Castle record it as a hunting lodge in 1264.  The land was granted to Sir John Lyon of Forteviot by Robert the II in 1372, who also married Robert's daughter Joanna.  Construction on the castle began around 1400.  The castle remains home to the Lyon family today, although it looks remarkably different than it did in 1400.

A little note of interest for Shakespeare fans:  The title character in Macbeth resides at Glamis Castle, although certainly the historical King MacBeth (d.1057) could not have had any connection to the castle as it was not yet built.

The current castle occupies some 14 000 acres and continues to produce cash crops today.  You can also rent some of the rooms for parties and weddings.

Legends and Tales
This is what really interested me in Glamis Castle.  Oh, how I do love any kind of ghost stories and this castle has them by the score.

The most famous legend is the Monster of Glamis.  Supposedly, there was a hideously deformed child born to the family, and this child was kept in the castle for his entire life and his suite of rooms kept hidden after his death.   I did read that perhaps this legend was inspired by the Ogilvie family, who sought protection from their enemies the Lindsays, and were left to die in the castle of starvation, they were in fact walled up somewhere in the 16-foot walls.

There is also the story of the Grey Lady.  The tour guide states that there is one seat in the chapel that is always reserved for this lady, thought to be Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis, although it is still used widely for family functions.  This ghost apparently haunts the castle and many people have seen her around.   

The story of Lady Janet Douglas is a tragic one and I am very familiar with the story.  I wasn't going to share it here, but I can't get her out of my mind so I will.  To make it short, Lady Glamis and her husband were very happy together until he passed away.  Left at the mercy of the king who wanted Glamis Castle, she was imprisoned (for 5 years) on trumped of charges of witchcraft along with her son.  People did not believe she was guilty as her character was impeccable and she was much loved amongst her people.  King James, who bore a deep hatred against anyone carrying the Douglas name (you can read more about that another time), he resorted to horrible torture to many people around her.  She was eventually found guilty and burned at the stake at Edinburgh Castle.  James returned the castle, but not many of its possessions, to Janet's son after her death and it is believed he felt great remorse over her death and a lot of guilt because he let his anger get the best of him.  He was wildly hated for his treatment of this beautiful and gracious lady.

James V

Some sites to visit:

Glamis Castle - Hauntings

Glamis Castle - History