Castle in the Clouds

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Good morning, and welcome!

Architecture? Mildly interesting. Fairy tales? Yes, please! Enter castles: intricately built and blurring the lines between history and legend, these incredible structures are so much more than buildings. They’re art. They’re the backdrop to the heritage of whole countries. And as if that’s not enough, they’re also remarkable architectural feats planned weaponized with practical defensive advantages.

Humans have been drawn to big houses since the day we discovered the advantages of shelter, and castles put this passion on full, dazzling display. Between literature, art, and movies, these things are everywhere. And it’s no wonder: castles are the stuff stories are made of, with their imposing walls, luxurious interiors, and occasional dark, treacherous dungeons. Interesting things happen in interesting places.

However, castles may be perfect for a tall tale or two, but they are also very real. Here are six of my favorites, complete with wild stories, enthralling features, and more!

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Blarney Castle

(Photo "Blarney Castle" by Shawn Harquail is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

Located in Cork, Ireland, the modern Blarney castle was finished in the year 1446, though it was preceded by two earlier defensive structures in its place: one made of wood in the 10th century and another fortification in the 1200s. Its name came from the iconic English monarch Elizabeth I during her campaign to take control of the territory through the Earl of Leicester. Cormac McCarthy of the McCarthy clan, which had ownership of the castle at the time, was able to successfully keep the earl and the queen at bay by using his expert communication skills to stall the inevitable conflict. The queen soon grew exasperated with this behavior, and upon receiving one of Lord McCarthy’s letters, dismissed it frustratedly (and famously) as a bunch of “blarney”. Additionally, many credit the McCarthys’ oratorical prowess to what is now known as the Blarney Stone, a gift from Robert the Bruce back in 1314. Legend has it that those who plant a kiss upon the face of the stone are blessed with the “gift of gab”, a sort of divine knack for flattery and charm. Even today, tourists are encouraged to plant a smooch on the Blarney Stone—but be careful, as it constitutes quite literally bending over backwards, holding onto a railing, to reach it!

Take a virtual tour on Blarney Castle’s official website: https://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/map-and-virtual-tour

Pena Palace


Seated at the top of a hill in São Pedro de Penaferrim, Portugal, Pena Palace has attracted worldwide attention from the very beginning. It was preceded by a monastery dated to theMiddle Ages and occupied by approximately eighteen monks. However, the structure was significantly damaged by lightning in the 18th century, then utterly destroyed in an earthquake in 1755.The area remained vacant for nearly a century before Ferdinand II, the king consort of the day, purchased the property in 1838. After Ferdinand was crowned, he proceeded to commission the construction of an extravagant palace on the property, hiring a variety of architects and artists to bring his dream home to life. The original plans were subject to frequent change by the monarch, whose eclectic taste in architectural style, material, and decor resulted in a patchwork quilt of the most popular designs of the time. Elongated purple wing? Check. Domed ceiling? Check. Decorative parapets? Check. During the Revolution of 1910, Queen Amelia Maria, the last Portuguese monarch, occupied this palace until her final exile from the country. Steeped in history, the Pena Palace is a fascinating visit. However, leave your cameras at home—photos of the interior are prohibited. Guess you’ll just have to go check it out yourself….

For more information on Pena Palace, read about it on its official webpage: https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-and-monuments/park-and-national-palace-of-pena/

Predjama Castle

(Photo "Predjama Castle" by _Hadock_ is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Treachery, mystique, and defensive spelunking—so goes the fantastical tale of Predjama Castle. Located in the small village of Predjama in Slovenia, the site upon which this particular castle was built is remarkable to say the least. This intimidating Renaissance fortress is known for being utterly impenetrable, as much of it is built inside a gargantuan cave! In its time, it was most famously occupied by the rogue knight Erazem Lueger, a baron who was known for his questionable moral code. His various misdeeds caught up to him after he killed a family member of Emperor Frederick III of the Holy Roman Empire. Under siege by a far greater force, Lueger was trapped in Predjama Castle for over a year. His only hope for survival was to sneak out through the cave to access supplies. Because of this, he was undefeatable, even going so far as to lob bucketfuls of cherries out his windows at the armies below. In the end, however, one of his servants betrayed him to the Emperor, informing his forces when Lueger was at his most vulnerable: in the palace’s restroom. Cannon fire rained on the Predjama resident and took his life. Of course, this legend may have been embellished over time, but there is evidence that each of these historical figures did, in fact, exist. Today, the castle is open to the public, and creates an authentic environment that transports them back to the days of the castle’s prime.

Read about this travel blogger’s experience inside Predjama Castle on this Strangers in the Living Room article: https://www.strangersinthelivingroom.com/7980/slovenias-cave-fortress-predjama-castle/

Egeskov Castle


Like Predjama Castle, Egeskov Castle was built to be impenetrable. However, instead of barricading his extravagant abode in the belly of a cave, Count Frands Brockenhuus used an extensive array of oak pilings to elevate Egeskov Castle right smack dab in the middle of a lake. In fact, this was how the castle got its name: “Egeskov” means “oak wood” in Danish, as one legend claims that the wood required to construct Egeskov resulted in the felling of an entire forest. A drawbridge, as well as a long walkway, was added for access to the building. In the late 1800s, when life was considerably more peaceful and prosperous, a dairy, railroad, and farm were all added to the estate. These assets are still functional today, contributing to Egeskrov’s surrounding communities. However, Egeskov Castle is perhaps most famous for what’s inside: a “palace within a palace”, if you will. Though the iconic dollhouse Titania’s Palace was actually built in Ireland, it is housed here for tourist access. 16 intricate rooms embrace lavish courtyards to make up this stunning estate. The only catch: it’s all in miniature! The house was built by the English artist Sir Nevile Wilkinson for his young daughter Gwendolen and intended to house the fairies in which she so determinedly believed. In a feat of remarkable craftsmanship, the dollhouse features everything from tiny plates the size of your fingernail to detailed murals on the walls. Needless to say, both castles are worth a visit!

Experience both Egeskov Castle and Titania’s Palace in this European Traveler article: https://www.european-traveler.com/denmark/visit-renaissance-egeskov-slot-castle-denmark/

Hochosterwitz Castle

(Photo "Hochosterwitz Castle" by Tjflex2 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Better cinch up your hiking boots, because the climb to reach Hochosterwitz Castle—quite literally a castle in the clouds—is no laughing matter. Even the road that leads to the estate is nearly half a mile long. If you’re hoping to experience this breathtaking Austrian castle for yourself, prepare for a heaping side of fairytale adventure, because it’s enough of a quest just to find your way there. However, after reaching the top of Hochosterwitz’s 500-foot limestone cliff, you’ll be treated to an extraordinary view of the Austrian countryside. While you’re up there, you can also explore the castle through each of its 14 gates. Inside, there is a museum dedicated to the history of the castle and the family by whom it was built. In fact, this family, the descendants of George Khevenhüller, have owned the estate since its construction in 1571, and continue to be in possession of it today! Wandering the halls of this expansive abode gives insight into their lives, proudly displaying traditional weapons, armor, and other priceless family heirlooms. Surrounding the main castle is a functional village, complete with specialized farming and crafting areas to contribute to Hochosterwitz’s self-sufficiency and educate the public about daily medieval life.

For more information on Hochosterwitz Castle, visit its official website: https://www.burg-hochosterwitz.com/en/

Skulptura Projects GmbH Sandcastle

(Photo "Sand And Sky" by howardignatius is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Our last castle of the morning is not hundreds of years old. It has not been occupied by devilishly clever barons or dainty, elusive fairies. It doesn’t even have a kissable rock at its center. No, our last castle is none other than a sand castle, built from a gargantuan pile of sand in Binz, a town on the coast of Germany. However, this is no ordinary sand castle. Looming at nearly 60 feet high, the Skulptura Projects GmbH Sandcastle required a crane to carefully position cartfuls of sand atop a great pile in preparation for its construction. It was erected by a team of 12 professional sculptors and 8 technicians from Latvia, Poland, the Netherlands, and Russia. Its building process was a two year journey of trials and errors before the Guinness record could finally be broken. The artists were sure to pay homage to those who came before, depicting a few of the most impressive architectural feat alongside the castle’s massive exterior, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Sadly, this masterpiece, created in 2019, was only available for viewing for a few months before its downfall. I’m not worried. A rival will rise soon enough… you never know who might top the record next….

Witness the castle’s construction for yourself in this Guinness World Records video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SphN9dJ0kaY

Honorable Mentions

(Photo "Himeji castle" by EugeniusD80 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

So many amazing castles in the world, so little time… to make up for my absence last week, here’s a list of more incredible places to explore for yourself!



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Every kid grows up with a dream house. If you haven’t guessed by now, mine was absolutely a castle, perhaps with features that are a combination of all six—seven? Eight? Eleven?—of the ones listed above. Forget vacationing, I would never emerge again. There would be too much to explore inside!

This morning, I dare you to let yourself dream a little. What’s your castle in the clouds like? And what can you do to, like the creation of these beautiful structures, bring your castle to life today? Your choices shape the way you live. When you dedicate yourself to establishing the life you’ve always wanted, the sky’s the limit. Together, we’ll see how far we can fly.

Heads Up!

Speaking of choices, I’ve been in the process of entering a busier season in my life. Starting in September, 6 in the Morning articles will be released every other Tuesday morning as opposed to weekly. I’ll be sure to check in as often as I can with interesting facts and tidbits, but expect a less frequent posting schedule in the upcoming months. Thank you so much for understanding, and see you again in two weeks, on September 15th!

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