What Is the Oldest Castle in the World?
Nikole Stewart
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Castles serve as an iconic piece of history with walls that hold stories through the centuries. While most were built during the Middle Ages, and predominantly by nobility and royalty for military purposes, they now serve as historical lessons and culturally significant sites. But which is the oldest castle in the world?
With these structures standing for centuries, so many of us seek out these buildings in hopes of learning and experiencing history. If you have castles on your bucket list but want to explore the oldest standing one, then read on.
15. Himeji Castle, 1333
Japanese architecture is unlike anything else, so of course the Himeji Castle, or the White Heron Castle, is a popular site to visit if you want to see the oldest castles in the world. Located in Himeji, this castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture and comprises 83 rooms with advanced defensive systems from the feudal period.
Dating back to 1333, this structure was built by Akamatsu Norimura, a Japanese samurai of the Akamatsu clan. The castle was significantly remolded in 1581 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who added a three-story castle keep. The castle kept getting remodels and additions throughout the following years. In 1993, Himeji Castle was registered as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country.
14. Vyborg Castle, 1293
The fortress in Vyborg, Russia was built by the Swedes during the Middle Ages where the town of Vyborg evolved. The Vyborg Castle was originally constructed in the 1290s and was the first defense of the kingdom against the Russians for centuries.
Currently, you can take a tour of the castle grounds and visit the Vyborg Regional Museum within it. While this is considered one of the oldest cases, to know which one earned the number one stop, read on.
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13. Clock Tower of Sighisoara, 12th Century
The Citadel of Sighisoara is one of the oldest medieval towns and is home to one of the oldest castles, also known as the Clock Tower of Sighisoara. Want to know the oldest castle in the world? Read more to find out. The Clock Tower, however, was built in the 12th century during King Bela IV’s reign.
When Bela IV of Hungary invited the Saxons to settle in Transylvania and defend the frontier of his realm, they built a new settlement and named it Sighisoara. The construction began in the 1100s and continued through the 1500s. It’s one of the oldest medieval citadel in Europe that is still inhabited.
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12. Edinburgh Castle, 12th Century,
Edinburgh Castle is located in Edinburgh, Scotland, and stands on Castle Rock, which has been occupied since at least the Iron Age. Edinburgh Castle has served as a royal residence, an arsenal, a treasury, a national archive, a mint, a prison, a military fortress, and the home of the Honours of Scotland.
The Castle stood during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century through the Jacobite Rising of 1745. The oldest surviving part of the castle, and highest point of the rock, is St. Margaret’s Chapel, which was built between 1130 and 1140. Today, you can tour the castle to explore and learn the history and grounds.
11. Castle of the Counts, 1180
Gravensteen, also known as Castle of the Counts, is located in Ghent, East Flanders in Belgium, and is one of the oldest castles. The current castle dates back to 1180, however, Count Arnulf of Flanders built a castle on the site before that in the 800s. it was a small castle made out of wood and included a grain store.
Two centuries later, wool became the dominant product, so his outdated castle needed an upgrade. The existing castle was built in 1180 by Count Philip of Alsace, with the Counts of Flanders residing there until 1352. After, it was re-purposed as a court, prison, mint, and even as a cotton factory. Between 1893 to 1903 it was restored and is currently a museum and major landmark of the city.
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10. Killyleagh Castle, 1180
Ireland is known for their beautiful scenery and stunning landmarks. But one such landmark that everyone should check out is the Killyleagh Castle located in the village of Killyleach, Strangford Lough. It’s believed to be one of the oldest inhabited castles in the country, with parts dating back to 1180.
Mid-19th century it was redesigned by architect Sir Charles Lanyon and has been owned by the Hamilton family since the early 17th century. To this day, the current homeowner, Gawn Rowan Hamilton, and his young family host occasional concerts from performances including Bap Kennedy, Van Morrison, and Glen Hansard.
9. Alcazar of Segovia, Early 12th Century
Located in Segovia, Spain, Alcazar of Segovia is considered one of the oldest castles in the world. Since at least the 12th century, it has stood and is one of the most renowned medieval castles globally and one of the most visited landmarks in Spain. It has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Today, it’s used as a museum and military archives and has also worked as a state prison at times. You can also tour the site as well as climb its towers for a scenic view of the town. The inside of the castle is one you don’t want to miss, as it’s considered to be one of the most beautiful medieval castles in Spain. But which is considered the oldest castle in the world? Keep reading to learn more.
8. Rochester Castle, Late 1080s
The Rochester Castle is one of the oldest castles in the world, but not number one. For the oldest ever, keep reading to find out. The Rochester Castle was built to command a river crossing and was one of the earliest such buildings thanks to Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester in the 1080s.
In 1127, Henry I entrusted this building to the Archbishop of Canterbury who began the great keep. However, during a siege in 1264, there was lasting damage that was never rebuilt, but thankfully, Edward III and Richard II ordered repairs to reverse the long-lasting damages and years of decay in the 14th century. Now, Rochester Corporation has ownership and has made several repairs and is now open to the public, where it has attracted countless visitors to explore the grounds.
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7. Hohensalzburg Castle, 1077
While not the oldest castle in the world, Hohensalzburg Castle is in the top five. Located in the city of Salzburg, Austria, the castle sits atop the Festungsberg mountain. It was built in order of the prince-archbishops of Salzburg.
The castle was built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard, but in the years that followed, his successors continued the development of the fortress architecture. Today, you can sign up for group tours to view the ancient walls, and stunning sights and even explore hidden areas. You can also sign up for classes to really experience the Archbishops’ lives, and to teach the kids as well.
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6. Windsor Castle, 1070
While not the oldest castle in the world compared to the rest, Windsor is at the top still and is also one of the most popular castles to visit. The Windsor Castle stands on a ridge at the northeastern edge of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. William I, or William the Conqueror, developed the present site and started constructing around 1070.
Henry II replaced this with the stone Round Tower and added outer walls. From there, multiple residents, like Henry III, Edward III, Charles II, and even George IV continued to add, reconstruct, and develop more until it became what it is today. If visiting, you can enjoy delectable treats, watch the guards, take a tour, and even find kids’ activities.
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5. Warwick Castle, 1068
Another popular castle is the Warwick Castle. Developed from a wooden fort, this medieval castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068 in the county town of Warwickshire, England. The original wooden motte-and-bailey was rebuilt in stone during the 12th century.
The castle opened to the public in 1978 and offers a wide range of things to do today. Visitors can tour the site and its grounds, learn about its history, and enjoy the architecture. There are also children’s activities, shows, and attractions. Read more to learn which is the oldest castle in the world.
4. Portchester Castle, 11th Century
The Portchester Castle was supposedly built in the late 11th century as a baronial castle and was then taken under royal control in 1154, making it one of the oldest castles in the world. The castle has been renovated and rebuilt many times over the centuries to alter the needs of the owner.
You can visit the castle today as there are a few attractions that consist of a Norman church, exploring the castle grounds, and seeing the Portchester village.
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3. Reichsburg Cochem, 1100
This castle complex is in the Rhineland-Palatinate town of Cochem on the Moselle River, in Germany. Standing on a mountain cone, Reichsburg Cochem is estimated to have been built around 1100 or in the first half of the 12th century.
While it was destroyed in the 17th century during a war succession, it was rebuilt between 1868 and 1877 by the Berlin merchant and later Privy Councillor of Commerce, Louis Fréderic Jacques Ravené, and is one of the oldest castles in the world. In addition to guided tours, guests can travel to this castle on Fridays and Saturdays to participate in the “Knights’ Feast”, a four-hour program with food, entertainment, and the perfect medieval experience.
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2. Château de Doué-la-Fontaine, 950 CE
Located in France, the Château de Doué-la-Fontaine Castle is the oldest standing castle in Europe as it dates back to the mid-9th century.
Around 950 it was converted into a donjon, which is an inner tower of a castle in Middle English. Unfortunately, only the aula survives today, which is the main residential building of a castle. The castle and most of the motte are no longer around.
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1. Citadel of Aleppo, 3000 BC
Finally, we have our number one spot of the oldest castle in the world. The Citadel of Aleppo is a medieval fortified palace in the center of the old city of Aleppo in Northern Syria. It’s the oldest castle in the world and the largest. The use of this castle dates back to the middle of the 3rd millennium BC and has occupied civilizations including Greeks, Armenians, Romans, Byzantines, Ayyubids, Mamluks, and Ottomans.
The Citadel has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. During the 2010s, the Citadel received damage during the lengthy Battle of Aleppo, which ended in 2016. Since early 2017, repairs have been underway. Today, the Citadel has been open to the public and boasts spectacular views over Aleppo.