can visit the castle – what’s left of the castle at least.
Kasteel van Mesen, Belgium
Kasteel van Mesen is a long abandoned castle in Belgium. It was built about 11 hundred years ago as a stronghold against Norman invaders, the type who has recently taken control of England. From then on it was owned by wealthy Belgian lords until the 19th century when it was strangely transformed into a boarding school. It served as a school until the early 1970s, when it was simply abandoned. And since then no one has cared for it. It’s terrible to see such a historic building simply be abandoned and neglected, but the fact the it’s abandoned seems to add something more to it.
Dunluce Castle, UK
Dunluce Castle is a ruined castle in Northern-Island. The current castle was built in the medieval period, but the land was used for previous castles long before this. The castle was traditionally owned by the McQuillan family, who lived there until the late 16th century. After that, it fell to the MacDonnell family. Legend tells that the castle is haunted by the ghosts of the McQuillan family who refused to allow anyone else to own it. The castle is built on a cliff side, with steep drops surrounding all sides other than the entrance. This made the castle incredibly secure, and made things difficult for those wanting to capture it.
Sausenburg Castle, Germany
Sausenburg is an interesting little castle in southern Germany. It was built in 1246 by powerful counts, because that’s what counts do. The counts power grew from there, but their dynasty eventually died out around the mid-15th century. So the castle was left to another family. They lived there eacefully until the beginning of the Franco-Dutch war in 1672, when it became a building of strategic importance. Because of this, the castle was mostly destroyed and set on fire in 1678. The castle has been abandoned literally since then. It just stands there, an empty shell of what it once was. I’m just impressed it’s still standing strong after it’s destruction and hundreds of years of neglect.
Pidhirtsi Castle, Ukraine
Pidhirtsi Castle is a residential castle in the Ukraine, which just means it’s a castle built to be lived in rather than to withstand military sieges. History forgets who designed the castle, but it was built in the 1630s. Despite being a residential castle, it was attacked in 1648 by anti-government rebels. But they failed to capture the castle, and then failed to capture it again 3 years later. It’s certainly among the most secure and strong residential castles in Europe, which was further shown when it withstood several more attacks in the succeeding centuries. It was captured by the Russians during the first world war, and was severely damaged by communist rule. It was abandoned after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Castle Mont Rouge, USA
Castle Mont Rouge is built on top of a mountain in North-Carolina. The castle was only built back in 2005, and it’s already become completely abandoned. I guess it’s just difficult to maintain a castle high in the mountains of a barely-populated settlement. The exact reasons for it’s abandonment is unclear, but it happened in 2008. There have been several plans to maintain the castle and turn it into a landmark – but nothing ever came of those plans. The inside of the castle is a complete wreck as it’s since been a destination for vandals. To be honest I’m surprised there are any abandoned castles that haven’t been damaged by vandals.
Squire’s Castle, USA
Squire’s Castle is yet another castle built as a romantic gesture. It was constructed in the late 19th century for Feargus Squire, which is obviously where it gets it’s name. It was actually built to house the groundskeeper of the much larger building he was planning in the same area. The larger building was never built, leaving the first building without purpose. The it was sold to someone else in 1922, but no one really took care of it. So today it’s just still standing there abandoned. Anyone can easily visit the castle now, although it’s probably the least impressive castle you’ll ever see