4. Vyborg castle / Russia, Leningrad Region
In the summer of 1293, in the chamber of the Novgorod Prince ran out of breath messenger. "Save us, o Lord. Barbarians attacked from the sea, they Rob our house!" Karely (a messenger came from this tribe) then lived peacefully on the border of present Finland. Don't think bad about ancestors Ville Haapasalo, the Finns have nothing to do with him — with swords, horned helmets, and evil intentions come for the Swedes. At this point they founded the "Holy fortress" or Vyborg. The governors of the castle marked the future king of Sweden Charles VIII. But for every Charles we have your Peter. In 1710 Russian reformer with weapons asked the Swedes to vacate the area. During the Second world war the castle was struggling Finnish and Soviet troops. In 194Д year leapfrog has ceased and Vyborg became Russian city.
The island size 170 122 meters (for comparison: the length of the platform underground station — 150 m) are fortified wall, the commandant's house, several buildings of the Museum (go, you will not regret) and the main feature of the castle — highest tower of St. Olav. Don't be afraid of the height at which the observation deck is located: 239 steps easily through even nerastvorimaya Finnish grandmother-tourists. In good weather, the tower can be seen and neighbouring Finland, and the red roofs of international Vyborg and coastal estate of mon repos. In the estate there is an island on the island — rock, rock — Gothic castle (actually it is the chapel).
Forward! From St. Petersburg to Vyborg two hours. But you will not regret it! In one day you can visit the jousting tournament (the Vyborg-champion reconstructions), jazz festival, stroll through the pretty streets, enjoy a swim in the Bay (resort, after all), and in the evening admire the illuminated castle.
5. Hanover / Germany, Thuringia
Count Ludwig the Jumper kind of Lutovinov, like all rich medieval knights loved to hunt. It was a wonderful time — the end of the eleventh century, when it wasn't necessary neither a hunting license nor a SUV.:) Catching up is a tricky game, the count suddenly stopped in front of a high hill and shouted: "Wait, mountain". If we translate his strange request in German, you get "Warth Berg". That meant the knight and did he alcohol, the legend is silent. But it is known that the graph here decided to twist a family nest. By the way, "Burg" in German means "castle". A few centuries later it settled another extravagant count. Hermann I, brother German of the king, wrote poetry and patronized — a very peculiar poets. He called me the best readers from all over Germany and made the tournament. Five poets were awarded wealth, and the sixth — least-talented — should have been executed. But thanks to his wife count the poor guy was given a reprieve a year. Already in the late XVIII century castle loved to visit the German Pushkin — Goethe Johann.
Meadows, forests and hiding in their houses look great from a high tower of the Palace. Feed the local inhabitants — the pigeons, come on down and take a walk through the rooms. The chamber of the mistress of the castle is decorated with tiles of colored glass.
In the hall of poets, where, according to legend, took place the bloody reading, antique paintings with scenes from the life of the castle. Once in the Banquet hall, look up — he resembles a carved wooden box inside. And for the right Princess in the castle has a hotel. Here you will cook medieval food, the evening will arrange the strings concert, and by night performed in the Royal chambers. Forward! To reach the town of Eisenach is not difficult. The guide says it all: from Berlin you can reach in 4 hours, despite a distance of 360 km. From Eisenach to the castle or walk on foot (30 minutes) or use the services of a local donkey.
6. Manor Khrapovitsky / Russia, Vladimir region
In 1886 an officer of hussars, a nobleman and the son of a wealthy landowner Vladimir Khrapovitsky went to France to, as they say, to show yourself and the world to see. During another presentation someone from French friends carelessly remarked: "Admiring the castle? And in Russia such is not present". Russian officer took it personally: "You are not right. Want to bet?" Of course, all about the controversy quickly forgotten. But in five years the French visited Russia on a return visit. Happy landowner warmly welcomed the guests and brought to his estate. Seen from the window of the carriage and the loom of the French remained nothing how to admit defeat: "You've built a real castle!" "Gentlemen, this is my stable. Now we go to the castle," he finished off the French master.;) Since Russia had no experience of construction in a remarkable neo-Gothic style, in the Murom forests emerged a collective image. Three-storey left-hand part is like a French castle, and the high right wing was built in the English style. Each of the 80 rooms Khrapovitsky decorated in its own way, the Grand ballroom was completely made of glass.
Forward! Take sport shoes and go to Vladimir. From the former capital of Rus from the village of Muromtsevo only 40 km by car or bus. Nowadays the castle is left unguarded. So you can easily organize a special photoshoot in the Gothic scenery of the mysterious castle. Be sure to walk through the rooms, look at ancient fireplaces, the patterns on the walls preserved traces of bygone luxury, as if not afraid of heights, go up the marble stairs to the top of the Central tower.
7. Himeji Castle / Japan, Hyogo Prefecture
Seven centuries ago, when there were not fans of Sony or restaurants "Yakitoria", at the foot of the mountain Hime Japanese feudal Lord Akamatsu built a magnificent castle. The times were troubled, so he put it in his brave warriors. And the tower in the Western part of the fortress, where there is almost no wind, went to the ruler's daughter. "The elegance of the castle resembles a beautiful snow-white bird," we read in the ancient manuscript and couldn't agree more. Over the centuries the White Heron castle changed several owners. Whether the structure of the treasured snow-white fowl, or samurai kind to the monuments, but the castle during seizures has not been affected dramatically and has come down to us almost intact!
Each tower (21) are made of wood and connected by intricate hallways to confuse the enemy. In the highest tower (it is on the restoration to the end of 2014) there are seven tiers, and if you're on the narrow stairs (the Elevator, of course not), will gain upward, it appears... no, not the restaurant) — the Japanese castle at the top is a Shinto Shrine. And around Himeji has a huge garden in the form of a spiral maze with dead ends and passageways-its lies, to confuse the enemy in case of a sudden attack on the castle. However, this ingenious idea never came in handy. But this does not mean that there will not be such a lost adventurer like you, isn't it?:) So try not to wander there alone! Forward! The Japanese believe that to go to lock in April, the season of cherry blossom. But we believe that at any time of the year you will have an unforgettable experience! If you go from Tokyo by train, four hours will be in the castle. By car or a white horse to go much longer. Don't be surprised, having met inside James bond, Tom cruise or Akira Kurosawa, — the castle of the White herons love to make movies coolest Directors in the world.
Content:
1. Part I (http://www.of-md.com/ycs-part1/);
2. Part II (You read this section)</s>.
