A 900-year-old church still standing in Wicklow, Ireland
At an elevation of 1,512 metres, the castle is the highest fortress in the Apennines. Built of stone and masonry exclusively for military purposes and intended only to accommodate troops and never as residence for nobles, the fortress overlooks the Plain of Navelli at one of the highest points in the ancient Barony of Carapelle.
Construction of the fortress started in the tenth century as a single watchtower. A walled courtyard with four cylindrical towers at the corners around a taller inner tower was added in the thirteenth century. The lower half of the fortress is built with distinctively larger stones than its upper half. It is believed that this feature was to make its base impenetrable to invaders.
The fortress was never tested in battle. However, it was badly damaged in November 1461 by an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7 to 8 on the Richter Scale. While the town of Calascio, which lies below the fortress, was rebuilt, the fortress was not.
Photo by : @ castlepics
It was built in the 12th century on Mount Crovero as Castrum Montesalti.
The castle witnessed al lot - it was destroyed several times, rebuilt several times and finally restored. In the 19th century after years of neglect careful restoration brought it back to life.
Courtesy: Famous Architectural Works
The entire city was fortified in 1473 by the Venetians, mainly to provide protection against pirates. The castle, with entrances to the north and south, has three floors connected by movable stairs. A small harbor on the north-eastern side offered easy and safe access to the fortress. To get protected by their enemies, the Turks had laid the surrounding sea bed with a large barricade of stones that made it impossible for large ships to approach the island and the fort. Later on, after the deliberation of the town in 1821, it was turned into the residence of the executioner for the convicts of the Palamidi castle. Between 1930 and 1970, after alterations by the German architect Wolf Schaeffer, the Bourtzi Castle was used as a hotel. Today the island hosts the Summer Music Festival, providing a perfectly stunning backdrop to the gala of music. It is easily accessible by boat from the port of Nafplion and it is a must for the visitors of this beautiful town
Photo by : @ iconicpalace