10 Most Beautiful Castles in Europe

What do you think of when you hear dungeons and dragons, ghost and goblins or kings and queens? If you said castles, you are not alone sire. Some of these legendary ones are found in the Europe. Castles consist of a group of fortified buildings with thick walls and towers.. Today, monarchs still reside in some very popular ones, such as Windsor Castle. Others serve as tourist attractions and museums. The wealthy even have the luxury of residing in some majestic ones.
So here I have compiled some of the most beautiful castles in Europe. I hope you will like it.

Leeds Castle – Kent, England

Considering how patriotic and proud Englishmen are, this comes as no surprise, but Leeds is the self-proclaimed “loveliest castle in the world.” Visit this extraordinary castle just once and you will find yourself agreeing with the English about their claim.

Prague Castle – Prague, Czech Republic

The Prague Castle was a work in progress between the 9th and 18th centuries. The original fortress expanded steadily until it started to host governmental affairs. This is one castle tour that has international tourists in mind: the guided tour is offered in six languages.

Castelo de Sao Jorge – Lisbon, Portugal

If you are looking for a bird’s eye view of the Atlantic Ocean, Castelo de Sao Jorge is the place to go. The castle originally known as Lisbon Castle also offers a scenic view of the country’s capital.

El Alcazar – Segovia, Spain

El Alcazar is an impressive castle in that it rises in an almost surreal way near the heart of the city. The castle is steeped in history. El Alcazar is now easily the most picturesque area in Spain.

Neuschwanstein Castle – Munich, Germany

Do not tell anyone, but you will surely be astonished and amazed to know that Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle was “inspired” by the Neuschwanstein Castle.

Mont Saint-Michel – Normandy, France

Originally designed as an abbey for pilgrims, it has evolved throughout the years. The castle sits on a rocky area between Normandy and Brittany, overlooking the bay.

Lincoln Castle – Lincolnshire, England

Built at the beginning of the 11th century, Lincoln Castle served as home of the legendary William the Conqueror. Thereafter, starting in 1787, Lincoln Castle was a prison for the Lincolnshire area partially because its layout and build made it impossible for detainees to escape.

Chateau de Chambord – Loire Valley, France

Le Chateau de Chambord remains one of the jewels in Europe’s crown. Built back in 1547, a visit will leave you gawking at its 440 rooms, and a game of Hide and Seek will last forever.

Frankenstein Castle – Darmstadt, Germany

A certain Lord Konrad Dippel von Frankenstein once inhabited this legendary castle in the 16th century. Apparently, von Frankenstein traded in his soul for eternal life.

Glamis Castle – Glamis, Scotland

When I mentioned ghosts, I was referring to Glamis. Considered by many to be the most haunted castle in Scotland, rumor states that many were murdered here, including the legendary Duncan and King Malcolm II.

Enjoying the Belgian Coast

The coastal part of the northern Belgium is engulfed by the North Sea. In the city of Ostend boundless sandy beaches extend beyond the horizon.  

On the one hand, the strong wind can bother everyone. Due to it seagulls fail to fly straight and the beach sand is stuck in the lens of cameras and to the sugar of the Liege waffles invented in Belgium, by the way.

But on the other hand, it makes people seize the moment spent on the coast by getting softer and more dynamic pictures.

A mouth full of sand against the force of waves.

And if you are still able to stand you can get pictures of those who have been knocked down.

"Russian" Chinese Village

"Russian Village" is a Chinese - Russian park of national traditions that is situated in the western district of the Chinese city Heihe of Heilongjiang province, on the southern bank of the Amur river, opposite the Russian city Blagoveshchensk.

This fake village was created as the setting for the Chinese series "The DawnsHere Are Quiet"  shot over the same-name story of Boris Vasilyev.   The serial was made in the Amursky region of Russia and the neighboring city of China - Heihe. 

It should be noticed that the Chinese adore Soviet films and famous Chinese singers like to sing translated songs of the former USSR.

Director Mao Weining made his own version of the favourite Soviet film in China - "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" . When the film was over the enterprising Chinsese made a park where everyone can see himself the place of series shooting and enjoy walking in the tiny streets of "the Russian Village". 

By skillful Chinese hands there was built a village, Orthodox church.

Pile of birch logs in front of the house with a wooden chimney.

The birch fence, blue sky and sunflowers everywhere - that's the Chinese image of "Russian village". 

The park is rather popular among Chinese tourists. Maybe visitors may get quite a misrepresented impression about the mode of life during the WWII, but don't forget it's not a museum, but a park created from decor. So simply enjoy being here, in the fairy-tale village.

Chinese woman playing the psaltery flute

Pretty local guards

Some of the houses are real, others - imitation made of log pieces. The budget of the series made up 10 millions yuans, 1 million yuans was spent for the village construction. 

Construction of the village

Main parts in the serial were given to Russian actors. In fact, when Russian people see this film they admit it's hard to believe that it hasn't been made in Russia.

Funny, but Russian actors had to "work" with the Chinese director. They had to convince him that Russian villagers had never eaten with china spoons, and Germans had never drunk vodka straight from the bottle. They remember smiling: "According to the Chinese scenario Soviet soldiers had to fight in wushu style aganst the fascists..."

Lennon Wall: Leave Your Trace

Did you know that there is a wall devoted to John Lennon in Prague? It's the holy place for his fans.

Symbol of Lennon's pacifism and creativity.

For many years (the wall appeared in the 80s) many layers of inscriptions have been made and initial ones hardly can be read.

Almost everyone who comes here thinks he/she has to leave his trace here too...

However 90% of all the inscriptions are devoted to the Beatles, not Lennon.

Make tea, not war!

On the one hand it's pity that the wall is constantly renewed, but unity of people, though some of them can't make something beautiful, inspires. So it's always good to return here in some time to see how the wall has changed.

Armenian Towns: Capture And Plunder

Ararat is a snow-capped, dormant volcanic cone in Turkey. It has the biggest relative height in the world. Ararat is a symbol of Armenia that is why it is represented in the emblem of the country.

Everything here is so quite and peaceful. Storks build nests practically on every post.

An ad of Russian cars Lada.

The Azerbaijan frontier is in 40 km.

The mountain Ararat is an active volcano, its last eruption was registered in 1840. The mountain consists of two parts united in the foundation.

The height of the Big part under sea level is 5,137 metres, of the Small-3,927 metres.

Nakhchivan is the city in Azerbaijan that was an object of arguments between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. The city population decreased considerably and cultural, economic lags appeared because of internal problems.

Such traffic jams of trucks start from the Turkish frontier with Azerbaijan: trade with Turkey is practically the only way for earning money for Nakhchivan inhabitants.

Almost all the territory is occupied by dry fields. There are few houses, half of them are abandoned.

Apparently Azerbaijanis like Russian cars.

These places have the Bible topic. Here is Noah's ark.

The old Armenian Oğuzlu Church dated the 10th century. It had stood untouched till the 20th century, but after the earthquake in 1936 its dome and walls crashed down.

Remained ancient inscriptions.

Another church is Kizil Kilise damaged in 1877 during the Russian and Turkish war. Then it was restored and now is located in someone's garden.

The church is used as a storehouse.

The Bagnair monastery, the 10th century.

The Armenian alphabet.

Hexagonal Chapel.

Its roof and walls are rickety.

Huge number of unsuccessful defences and earthquakes transformed a prosperous town into ruins.

The church where the Armenian bishop's residence was.

The Menucer mosque and The church of the Holy Redeemer.

The building lacks a roof and some walls but it still didn't lose its greatness.

Decorations.

The frontier between Armenia and Turkey. All bridges are destroyed.

Remains of fortifications.

Zarathustric church dated the 1st century!

These places left a feeling of capture and plunder. However the views are very impressive.

United Buddy Bears - Exhibition In Berlin

United Buddy Bears is an unusual exhibition of bears that was held on 5 continents. This one was photographed in the building of the central railway station of Berlin. 

It consists of specially painted and designed bears, representatives of 150 UNO countries. Each bear image portrays the character of a country, its history and features. 

The bears standing paw to paw symbolize friendship and respect between the countries and optimism.

Such a bear, in fact, was created in Berlin and it is a symbol of the city. In the German capital such sculptures from glass-fibre plastic may often be seen in the streets. 

Some bears are especially interesting.

Russian bear looks angry for some reason...

German bear

France

The Netherlands

Poland

Switzerland

Ireland

Hellish Work In Egyptian Quarries

The workers employed in stone quarries of El Minya, Egypt, get low wages and work in awful conditions that are not addressed by safety regulations. Their human rights are not protected and they don't have health insurance.

Thousands of Egyptians including children work under unbearable conditions in the stone quarry located in El Minya just to make ends meet. Akhmad who is 11 years old throws scabbled stones in a stone crusher. The stone will be turned into powder for cement production and used as an additive in dyes and pharmaceuticals. 

The work is considered to be dangerous and low-paid. The workers get 20 to 30 Egyptian pounds or 3 to 5 US dollars a day. However, their income salary isn't stable and depends on the demand. Cleaners, security officers and low-level managers get a similar income. Nevertheless, the workers run higher professional risks such as tolerated traumas and irregular employment. The available alternatives are represented by farming and fishing allowing to get 12 Egyptian pounds per day depending on the season.

It's not even the regular violation of the workers' rights that constitutes a problem but the long-term and destructive influence on their health. Processing and lifting stone blocks lead to inter-vertebral disc displacement and back problems. 

Asthma, respiratory and pulmonary diseases are developed because of dust. A number of those people who lost their health while working in stone quarries can't be estimated by statistical data... However, chronic diseases are widely spread among the workers.

The highest percentage of injuries results from accidents and can be caused by electric current or stone cutting with daily fatalities and non-fatal severe traumas occurring at 172 registered and 220 unregistered regional opencast mines.

The saw of the stone crusher can maim anyone nearby.

Hard labor undermines the workers' health. The majority of them will not be able to work when they turn 40. A working shift lasts 9 to 10 hours. In summer they work from 4 a.m. till noon when the heat gets unbearable. A number of working days per week depends on the demand and varies from 4 to 6.

Those who work in stone quarries don't have a right for state health insurance. They belong to the informal employment sector. Nowadays the workers are not able to pay to the insurance company to purchase a health insurance plan. Mubarak's government was trying to introduce some changes into the system.

In spite of the fact that child labor is illegal, the families that are short of money keep sending their children to stone quarries instead of schools. Extensive amendments to Egypt's Child Law in June 2008 included establishing the minimum age of employment at 15. Children of 13 are permitted to be employed in seasonal work that doesn't threaten their health, growth, or school attendance. However, in some cases children under 7 still participate in such work. Wadi El-Nil Association protects the rights of those children who work in quarries.

Wadi El-Nil Association promotes the issues in protective clothing and supplies the mothers of the kids engaged in quarry work with micro-credit lines and professional development opportunities giving them a chance to increase their income in future.