We’ve all heard of Dracula, but let’s not forget about these other incredibly magical Balkan castles.
1. Ostrožac Castle
Located just outside of Cazin, in a small village by the name of Ostrožac. The castle can be dated back to the 13th century, when the village of Ostrožac was owned by the Babonic Royal Family. The land and the castle, were taken over in the 1500’s by the Ottoman Turks and became part of Bosnia.
Fun fact, there is still dispute over whom the castle and ground belong to but the people of Cazin and Ostrožac both have rights to use the grounds for events.
Address: M4.2, Ostrožac na Uni, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Image Credit: @lifeofnaim
2. Tešanj Castle
It is not clear when the castle was built but it is predicted to be sometime before the Roman Empire took over, it went on to be ruled by the Romans, Slavs and the Ottoman empire. It was mainly used by all three as a form of defense from outsiders. Fun fact, while it was under the control of the Ottoman empire, the castle had troops stationed, this was also the only time it had troops all day/every day on the grounds.
It is however, best known, as the biggest castle in Bosnia.
Address: Ilirski trg, Tešanj 74260, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Image Credit: @moja.bih
3. Stari Grad Velika Kladuša
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information about this beautiful castle. What is known about it is that it was first mentioned in writing in the year 1280, along with the town of Velika Kladua. It was under the control of the Eastern Roman Empire at this time, the town was called Cladosa. During it’s history, the town was also ruled by different Hungarian kings, when the Austro-Hungarian Empire ruled over the Bosnian region.
Fun fact, the castle is also known as Kula Hrnjica Muje, named after the Hrnjica Brothers – Mujo, Halil and Omer – they held the Velika Kladusa region during the Ottoman Empire. The brother are also mentioned is Bosnian poetry and songs.
Image Credit: @brazzo_81
4. Trakoscan Castle
The castle can be found in northern Croatia and dates back to the 13th century, while it wasn’t mentioned in writing until 1334. It is also, unclear who built it or for reason it was built, however in the 14th century it was home to the Counts of Celje. Their dynasty can be traced back to what is now known as Slovenia. Over the next few centuries, the castle is home to several different families until it is left abandoned. After World War II, the country of Croatia took control of Trakoscon and started to rebuild it.
Fun fact, in April 9, 2003, the castle was delegated as a world heritage site.
Address: Trakošćan 4, 42253, Bednja, Croatia
Image Credit: @amonranzo
5. Tower Kamerlengo Trogir
Another beautiful place with limited information, but the Tower of Kamerlengo, is in fact a castle and fortress in one. Built by Marin Radoj in part with the Republic of Venice, in the 15th century. It was meant to be an addition to the already existing Veriga Tower.
Fun fact, the tower is used for outdoor events during the summer.
Address: Obala bana Berislavića, 21220, Trogir, Croatia
Image Credit: @laganinicroatia
6. Dubovac Castle
Parts of the castle were built over different centuries, but in the 15th century the castle was rebuilt to fit the Renaissance style, of the time. It was again rebuilt in 1837, by Count Laval Nugent, the current owner of Dubovac at the time. Fun fact, while he was born in Ireland, Nugent fought for the Austrian army.
Overtime, the castle was home to different nobleman, from the Sudar family of Slovenian to counts and dukes of Croatia. It was even used as a hotel for a while, but that resulted in sever damage to the structure.
Fun fact, this castle has a museum and restaurant, within its walls.
Address: Zagrad-Gaj ul. 5, 47000, Karlovac, Croatia
Image Credit: @unique_and_amazing_nature
7. Vršac Castle
This beautiful castle can be found near Vojvodina, Serbia, it was built during the medieval times and for the longest time there was only one piece of the castle still standing. That piece is known as, Donjon tower, and since 2009 there has been reconstruction to rebuild the whole castle. The whole history of the castle is unknown, and while there are theories about who built it and why, they have not been proven. What is known, is that the Ottoman Empire used Vrsac Castle after they took over the area in the 16th century.
Image Credit: @medievalenthusiasts
8. Belgrade Fortress
The fortress is the oldest thing still standing in Belgrade, it took part in at least nine different wars over the years and it is the most visited attraction in the city. With the fortress being around for so long, it is hard to pin point who built it or even who lived within its walls, but it is clear that it was a safe place for many different solders over time. Fun fact, the Serbian government is now in control of the fortress and uses it as a tourist attraction site, with a free admission.
Image Credit: @oli.st_
9. Golubac Fortress
Built in the 14th century during the medieval period of Serbian history, the fortress is broken into three groups and was built in stages of these groups, all together it contains ten towers. The history of the site is complicated because it was owned by the Roman Empire during the build of the fortress however not long after it was taken over and used during the war between the Ottoman and Hungarian Empires. The fortress and the land was often the result of conflict between Turkey, Serbia, Hungary, Austria and Bulgaria, until 1867 when it was officially handed over to Prince Mihailo Obrenović III of Serbia.
Address: Golubac 12223, Serbia
Image Credit: @kompaskazesrbija
10. Palace of Bujovici
Located in Perast, Montenegro the Palace of Bujovici was built from the stone of the destroyed city Herceg Novi, after they broke free from the Ottoman Empire in 1687. Fun fact, the palace is now the Muzej grada Perasta.
Image Credit: @njegova_alekssandra
11. Štanjel Castle
While the castle was originally built in the middle ages, it was last reconstructed in the 17th century by Counts of Cobenzl and this is the same construction that stands today. In the 15th century, Count of Cobenzi had the Parish Church of the Prophet Daniel, added to the castle and it became the family burial chamber. Later in the 1920, the Ferrari Garden was added to the grounds below the castle.
Fun fact, the castle has a permanent special art gallery within its walls.
Address: Štanjel, 6222 Štanjel, Slovenia
Image Credit: @lilygacar
12. Celje Castle
The castle was formerly home to the Counts of Celje, until they left the town and castle behind in the Middle Ages. The castle was later taken over by the Holy Roman Empire, former members of the Celje royal family became part of the Holy Roman Empire. During the 20th century it became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, today the castle, like many others, houses different summer events such as concerts and a night under the stars.
Address: Cesta na Grad 78, 3000 Celje, Slovenia
Image Credit: @castlespalaces
13. Sevnica Castle
In the year 1309 the castle was first mention on record, the Prince-Archbishopric of Salzburg – Holy Roman Empire – held property in the area since 1043. However, even with this information it is not known when the castle was built, by whom it was built or why. The castle is considered to be a large part of the town culture and their main tourist attraction.
Address: Cesta na Grad 17, 8290 Sevnica, Slovenia
Image Credit: @castles_of_posavje
14. Castle of Gjirokastra
The castle has been around since the 12th century, and according to Albanian folktales, Princess Argjiro and her children jumped off the castle in the 15th century, to avoid being taken by the Ottoman Empire. Fun fact, King Zog I of Albania had a prison added on to the castle in 1932, the prison was only used by the King, his political allies and the rest of the Royal Family.
Address: Rruga Elvia Celebi, Gjirokastër, Albania
Image Credit: @gotimetravels
15. Castle of Ravadinovo
A place straight out of the fairytale books, this magical castle was a wine caller for the adults along with a beautiful landscape including a lake, fountains and a garden. This castle was built in the late 1990’s and has not been home to any Royal Family members.
Address: The Castle of, 8146 Ravadinovo, Bulgaria
Image Credit: @atlantide_io
16. Euxinograd Palace
Built in the 19th century, this was the summer home for the Bulgarian Royal Family. Today, the palace is used by the government for summer events and meetings. It is also open to the public as a tourist attraction. Fun fact, it gets it name from the Greek term for the Black Sea.
Address: Св. Св. Константин и Елена, Резиденция Евксиноград, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria
Image Credit: @erusseva
17. Castelul Corvinilor (Corvins’ Castle)
This Gothic-Renaissance style castle is on the list of seven wonders of Romania and is considered to be one of the largest castles in Europe. Built in 1446, this castle was passed down from the Charles I of Hungary to the King of Hungary and Croatia whom later passed it on to John Hunyadi the Voivode of Transylvania at the time. This castle has stood during wars, different Kingdoms and was even used as a prison by John Hunyadi.
Fun fact, Corvins’ Castle, was the inspiration for Dracula’s Castle in the 1897 horror novel Dracula, written by Abraham “Bram” Stoker. It was also used during the filming of the 2018 movie The Nun.
Address: Curtea Corvineștilor nr. 1-3, Hunedoara 331141, Romania
Image Credit: @katrinpindre
18. Cantacuzino Castle
Built in 1911, this has got to be the best kept castle of the Balkans. It hosts parties, weddings and tourists. There is a swing on the grounds that provides the perfect view – even better Instagram pictures. The original castle was built different from other Romanian castles at the request of Prince George Grigore Cantacuzino and it is over 3,000 square meters. The castle stayed with the Cantacuzino family until the communist party took over, removing the King, in 1948. Sometime in 1989, the castle was returned to the Cantacuzino family whom sold it in 2004 to a private owner.
Address: Strada Zamorei 1, Bușteni 105500, Romania
Image Credit: @bogdan.buzuleac
19. Vajdahunyad Castle
Sitting in the City Park of Budapest, Vajdahunyad was meant to be a copy of Corvin Castle (above number 17) it was built in 1896, originally from cardboard and wood, to celebrate 1,000 years of the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin, which took place in the year 895. At the beginning of the 20th century it was rebuilt from stone and brick. When the castle was built it was meant to represent different landmarks of the Hungarian Kingdom. Fun fact, it has Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque, building styles within its walls.
Today, the castle is home to the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture.
Address: Budapest, Vajdahunyad stny., 1146 Hungary
Image Credit: @_sz_a_sz_
20. Tata Castle
Built in the 14th century at the tip of Lake Öreg, as the summer home for Sigismund of Luxembourg and later was used by Matthias I of Hungary. Later, Tata Castle was burned down by the House of Habsburg and rebuilt to its current structure.
Fun fact, the television show The Witcher was filmed at Tata Castle.
Address: Tata, Váralja u. 3, 2890 Hungary
Image Credit: @zoltangaborphotography
21. Villehardouin Castle – Mystras
Built in 1249 by William II of Villehardouin, who at the time was Prince of Achaia. Villehardouin was meant to overlook Sparta. It was later taken over by the Turks and the Venetians, in 1832 the city was abandoned. Today, it is used as an archaeological site and can be visited by tourists.
Fun fact, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Address: Lower Town 231 00, Greece
Image Credit: @byron_the_bulb