We have all had moments when we wished we lived in a castle or palace and sometimes our dreams do come true although I am still waiting.  So I found this collection of the most spectacular castles and palaces in the world so we can still dream.

Tibet’s Greatest Monumental Structure: The Potala Palace

This palace is located on Marpo Ri hill one hundred and thirty meters above Lhasa valley when combined with the height of the palace which is one hundred and seventy meters higher. This is the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet. The building you see standing today was built in 637 by Emperor Songtsen Gampo but this structure stood until the 17th century when the building was incorporated into the foundation of the building that now stands there.

The present palace also has its own history as it was started in 1645. This was during the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama then in 1648 the Potrang Karpo, or White Palace was completed. The Red Palace was added between 1690 and 1694. It took the efforts of 7000 workers and 1500 artist and craftsmen to construct this part of this spectacular palace.

A Medieval Castle on a Small Island: Mont Saint-Michel

This awesome castle is located on a quasi-island on the Normandy Coast near Brittany, France. This castle is unique in that when the tide comes in it is totally surrounded by ocean except for the narrow causeway that was constructed in 1880. It is also unique in the fact that unlike most castle and palaces which started out as a defense property or a pleasure property this castle started out its beginnings as a monastery.  There is a whopping four

Integrated in a Cave: Predjamski Castle

No two castles are the same and this one has its own uniqueness as it is the only castle in the world that is built into a cave. This castle is located in Slovania and is rather small and humble compared to other castles of the world but it is connected to the second largest cave system in Slovania. Like many castles this one wasn’t built all at once. There are records that exist from the 13th century about this castles construction and some people believe it was started in the 12th century. The middle part was added in the renaissance era and the right wing was constructed approximately 1570. In the 1990’s renovations were started to bring back the architecture that was there in the 16th century.

The Classic Fairytale’s Castle:  Neuschwanstien Castle

This castle is located in the Bavarian Alps of Germany and is the most famous of three Royal Palaces built for Louie II of Barvaria who was sometimes referred to as Mad King Ludwig. It was started in 1869 and wasn’t finished when Louie died in 1886. This castle is certainly one of romance in the 19th century and could set your imagination stirring at a glance especially where it is set with towers and spires. It is set on a high point of the Pullat River gorge, just the place for a knight in shining armor to come riding on a white horse to rescue the damsel in distress. Believe it or not this castle had running water on all floors back then, toilets that flushed and a warm air heating system for every floor. The Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland is built after this castle.

Japan’s Most Fascinating Castle: Matsumoto Castle

This castle is also known as Matsumotojo and is one of the most beautiful and complete original castles in Japan. The castle is built on the plain rather than a hill or mountain. The castle tower and the smaller second turret were built from 1592 and 1614 at which time they were heavily defended. In 1635 there were no more military threats a third turret was built mostly for moon viewing.

Dracula’s Castle: Hunyad Castle

Dracula’s castle still looks a bit foreboding but its beauty can’t be denied. It is now located in Hunedoara, Romainia  and was part of Principality of Transylvania and it is believed to be where Vlad III of Wallachia (Dracula) was kept prisoner for the last seven years of his life until he was put to death in 1462. The castle is a relic of the Hunyadi dynasty. It has Baroque and renaissance architectural elements but it was built in gothic style. This castle is large and Imposing which adds to its lure.

The World’s Largest Brick Gothic Castle: Malbork Castle

This castle was built in Prussia by the Teutonic Order as an Ordenburg. This order called it Marienburg or Mary’s Castle. Marienburg was also the name of the town that surrounds it. Today after 173 years it is once again a part of Poland and is now known as Malbork. This is a classic example of a medieval fortress. It is the largest brick Gothic castle in the world. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Oldest Inspired by European Romanticism: Palacio da Pena

This palace is located in Portugal and is situated on a hill above the town of Sintra. It can be seen from Lisbon on a clear day. It was first built in the 15th century as a palace it later was donated as a monastery. In 1755 an earthquake ruined most of this beautiful castle but Prince Fernando bought it in 1838 and rebuilt it. The style of this castle is a combination of the original style plus subsequent styles of romantic Barvarian and Moorish architecture. It also has an English Garden.

The Disneyland of the 18thCentury: Lowenburg Castle

Inside the Wilhelmshohe Hill Park that is located on one end of the city of Kassel, lies a medieval castle which is also known as the Loin’s Castle. It was ordered to be built by the Landgrave Wilhelm IX from Hessen Kassel from 1743 to 1821. This castle is considered the Walt Disney Castle of its era but over a period of eight years it ended up as a romantic ruin. Heinrich Christophe Jussow who specifically studied romantic ruined castles drew up a plan for the Landgraves garden folly. It is considered today one of the most significant buildings of its genre in addition to being the first major neo-Gothic buildings in Germany.

World’s Largest Ancient Castle: Prague Castle

This castle is entered into the Guinness Book of Records as one of the biggest ancient castles in the world. Prague Castle is approximately 570 meters in length and an average of 130 meters wide. This castle is the home of the Czech Crown Jewels. It was also home to Czech kings, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia. The Czech Republic has had their offices here.