For anyone who has ever dreamed of living a fairy tale life (and has lots of cash to spare), there is surely no better abode than a castle.
Castles come in all shapes and sizes. They may be traditional medieval structures with typical period features such as turrets and ramparts. Or they might be more like a classic french château. Or they may even simply be large country houses with a walled garden that has always served as a grand residential property rather than a fort.
Whatever style you are looking for, we should have something to take your fancy.
So join us as we run through the best castles for sale.
Where are the best castles for sale?
Germany is thought to be the country with the most castles in the world, though Wales has the most per square mile. In both Wales and Germany, the large number of castles is due to there once having been many different provinces, each of which had a ruler who built a castle to fortify their land.
There is no hard definition of a castle. Some regard any building with the aesthetics of a fortified medieval structure as a castle, while others argue that it must have once been lived in by a ruler who built the castle for security purposes.
Let’s now jump in and take a look at some of the top picks currently on the market.
Quinta do Marquês, Portugal
Quinta do Maruquês lies in the Torres Noval municipality in the central region of Portugal. It was originally built in the 1600s, with considerable renovations carried out 200 years later.
The castle sprawls across 10,000 square feet and has 20 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, palatial reception rooms, a landscaped garden, and, of course, a swimming pool.
It is a beautiful combination of neo-Manueline (Portuguese late-Gothic) and neo-Gothic architecture and features gilded woodwork, marble fireplaces, painted ceilings, and traditional Portuguese azulejos tiles.
The Quinto do Marquês is currently valued at €6.5 million.
Pencoed Castle, Wales
Pencoed Castle is a ruined Tudor mansion in Newport, South Wales. It is a grade II listed building originally built in the 13th century but went under major renovations 200 years later.
Although the main building is now largely uninhabitable, there are cottages and bungalows surrounding the castle that come with the sale.
One of the main draws of Pencoed Castle is its relatively affordable price (for a castle). It is currently valued at only £950,000.
Castello di Pergolato, Italy
First built in the 12th century, Castello di Pergolato in Tuscany, Italy, displays a beautiful combination of medieval and Renaissance architecture, thanks to renovations undertaken in the 16th century.
The castle is in immaculate condition and boasts 12 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, three reception rooms, and an underground network of cellars. There is a large outdoor pool and a mezzanine area that looks out onto the garden.
Castello di Pergolato is set amidst the rolling hills of Tuscany and is only a short drive from the city of Florence. It is currently valued at around €5.5 million.
Schloss Roseck, Germany
Schloss Roseck sits on the outskirts of the city of Tübingen, Germany. It has an extensive history that has seen it being demolished, burnt down, and repeatedly restructured for habitation.
The castle was originally built in the 12th century before being renovated and rebuilt 400 years later in the 16th century. It was then repurposed by Franciscan nuns and used as both a convent and a nursing home.
Then, in the early 90s, the castle was destroyed in a fire. The roof was recovered, but the rest was left in ruins. Since then, the castle shell has passed from hand to hand, with no one performing the full work required to repair the building.
Schloss Roseck is currently on the market for €4.5 million.
The Castle, US Virgin Islands
Not all castles have to be old structures steeped in history. For example, the aptly named “The Castle” in the US Virgin Islands was built in 1989 by the Bulgarian Countess Nadia Farber. The building was famed for hosting some of the most lavish parties in the land and would often see world-famous celebrities and politicians making their way through the gates.
The Castle is situated on St Croix and is instantly visible on the otherwise small and idyllic island. It features six bedrooms and six bathrooms over nearly 11,000 square feet of living space, not to mention the 102 acres of private land that take you down to a picturesque beach. There are also separate cottages attached to The Castle and swimming pools for anyone who prefers chlorine to open water.
Although relatively new, the architecture of The Castle is based on traditional Moorish and Oriental styles.
As to its value, current estimates range from around €7.5 million to €12 million.
The Chateau, France
The Chateau in Brittany, France, was first built in the 15th century, though it has attachments that were constructed in the 18th century.
The foyer is covered by a magnificent glass roof that allows guests to view the heavens from the comfort of the indoors. The castle covers over 11,000 square feet and has eight bedrooms, a reception room, a spiral staircase, a wood-paneled library, three offices, a large dining room, and a huge kitchen. The Chateau is also fitted with smart-technology throughout and has underfloor heating in every corner of the floorboards.
The castle is made from limestone and sits amidst 98.8 acres of wooded land, which includes a Japanese garden and a tennis court among its offerings. It has over a mile of private access to the river Aven.
Included with the Chateau are several outbuildings: the chapel, monk’s tower, reception hall, honey shed, garden room the flax drying shed, a boathouse on the river, a workshop, garage, caretaker’s house, employee’s lodge, and a detached guest house.
When you consider just how much is on offer here, it is hardly surprising that the Chateau is currently valued at a staggering €25 million.
Killahara Castle, Ireland
Killahara Castle was built around 1550 by Chief Donagh Fógartie. It was then sacked 100 years later by Cromwell and his men, and it has undergone numerous restorations since.
The castle is in Country Tipperary and is now used as accommodation for people visiting the surrounding beauty. It has five bedrooms, two reception rooms, and a magnificent spiral staircase that connects all five floors of the castle.
Given its historical significance and its well-restored adornments, Killahara is valued at a very reasonable €950,000.
Castle of Algajola, Corsica
Corsica’s Castle of Algajola is situated on the northern tip of the island. It dates back to the 17th century and served to fortify the surrounding picturesque village of Algajola.
Steeped in history, the castle also looks the part, with well-maintained towers, impressive ramparts, and glorious terraces that offer unparalleled views of the glistening Mediterranean.
This French gem is currently valued at €4.8 million.
Palace Annoujoum, Morocco
Palace Annoujoum is a work of architectural splendour. Although by no means the biggest castle on our list, its beauty and charm attract daily visitors who come to marvel at this magnificent creation.
The palace was originally built in the 19th century, though its recent restoration was inaugurated in 2010. It has six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a library, a spa, and a swimming pool. It covers around 850 square metres and comes with a smaller property attached to the building.
There is no listed price for the Palance Annoujoum, though it is currently for sale, and interested parties can request pricing information.
Château Gennes, France
Château Gennes is an idyllic castle that rests on the banks of the Loire river valley in central France.
The traditional French château features eight bedrooms, huge open fireplaces, parquet floors, and a winding spiral stone staircase that runs through the centre.
There are adjacent cottages and a converted chapel in the grounds, which are wonderfully secluded by the surrounding forest and arboretum that offer panoramic views of the river and valley.
Château Gennes is valued at €1.9 million.
Castello di Procopio, Italy
Castello di Procopio is a flawlessly preserved medieval castle in Umbria, Italy, that offers stunning views of the Tiber Valley.
The medieval exterior belies its modern interior that includes several reception rooms, eight bedrooms, a gym, a vaulted living room, a restaurant standard kitchen, and an underground spa. There is also an outdoor swimming pool nestled behind an orchard of olive trees and lavender.
And all this can be yours for a mere €11 million. But, if you somehow can’t afford such a fee, you can also stay there as a guest, though even this can cost up to €35,000 per week!
Summary
Living in a castle is, of course, not a reality for most people. That doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t people that still do so, and castles offer some of the most luxurious living quarters a person can buy. There are also more modest castles that are uninhabitable but have adjacent cottages.
So, if you fancy making a big move and have a good amount of money, why not consider some of the not-so-humble abodes on our list for your next purchase?
