Cochem Castle, towering high above the Moselle River in western Germany, is one of the most picturesque and iconic castles in the region. Originally built around the 11th century, the fortress was destroyed during the Nine Years’ War and later rebuilt in the 19th century in a romantic Neo-Gothic style. This revival gave the castle its fairy-tale appearance, with pointed towers, decorative stonework, and sweeping views that make it look straight out of a storybook. Overlooking the charming town o

Neuschwanstein Castle, perched high in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, is one of the most enchanting and recognizable castles in the world. Commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the 19th century, it was designed as a romantic retreat and a tribute to the operas of Richard Wagner, whom the king deeply admired. With its soaring towers, fairy-tale turrets, and breathtaking mountain backdrop, Neuschwanstein seems to have leapt straight from a dream — inspiring Disney’s iconic Sleeping Beauty Ca

Eltz Castle, nestled deep in the hills above the Moselle River in western Germany, is one of Europe’s most enchanting medieval castles. Built in the 12th century, it has remained in the hands of the same family for over 850 years, making it a rare example of continuous private ownership. Surrounded by thick forests and perched on a rocky spur above the Elzbach River, the castle looks like something out of a fairy tale, with its towering turrets, timber-framed upper floors, and fortified stone wa

This is Epic History TV's guide to building the perfect castle, based on the development of European medieval castles over 400 years of history. We trace the origins of the castle in the feudal system that emerged in France c.900 CE, and look at the early motte-and-bailey castle, used by the Normans to subjugate England and Wales in the 11th century. We then look at how castle's became stronger and more sophisticated, with the addition of stone curtain walls, massive keeps, towers (square, round