In Puglia, these 5 magnificent villages combine a medieval past with an active local life. A different idea of southern Italy, far from the clichés and the crowds!

Read on to find out more about 21 of the world’s most beautiful castles, fortified homes that are both a feast for the eyes ...

Built on the site of an ancient Roman fortress, this castle poised high above the Our River was constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries. (Jon Arnold Images Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo via CNN) ...

Pronounced 'herst-mon-zoo', this historic castle was built around 1441 by Sir Roger Fiennes, Treasurer of the Household to King Henry VI. Unfortunately, the castle was dismantled in 1777, leaving ...

Eltz Castle, Germany Some countries have more than their fair share of gorgeous medieval castles, and Germany is one of them. Eltz Castle is one of the finest examples of a German knight’s ...

A few others came from inside the Holy Roman Empire but outside the bounds of modern-day Italy. German popes elected from the Empire included Gregory in 996 and Damasus II in 1048.

Between 2008 and 2009, renovations were carried out at Prague Castle’s Vladislav Hall. The castle, built between 1490 and 1502, was the seat of power for the King of Bohemia and served as a frequent ...

But crucially, the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, was still strongly Catholic. And also crucially, Catherine of Aragon was Charles the V’s aunt, so Princess/Lady Mary was his cousin.

Like many of Spain’s great cities, Murcia wears its history on its sleeve, with 13th-century Moorish courtyards, a 14th-century cathedral and Baroque churches around almost every corner.

A magnificent 15th-century construction, this castle has stood as a fortress, a home to royalty, and a symbol of political authority. The Sforza Castle in Milan is steeped in legends, particularly ...

A castle in Romania survived multiple empires, and its history involves a dark past, a legend of forbidden love and an heir ...

Top 5 Can’t Miss To see how architecture evolved over medieval times, visit Germany's Eltz Castle, which was built over several centuries. Standing on a verdant island overlooking three lochs ...