Heritage of European and Asian Architecture: From Castles to Temples

Castles in Europe
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
The Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most famous castles in Europe. It was built in the 19th century and is known for its stunning architecture and picturesque surroundings. The castle was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and was inspired by the operas of Richard Wagner.

Château de Chambord, France
The Château de Chambord is another famous castle in Europe. It was built in the 16th century and is known for its unique architecture. The castle has 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces, and 84 staircases. It was built by King Francis I of France and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress that dominates the skyline of Edinburgh, Scotland. It was built in the 12th century and has been the site of many important events in Scottish history. The castle is now a popular tourist attraction and is home to the Scottish Crown Jewels.

Prague Castle, Czech Republic
Prague Castle is a castle complex in Prague, Czech Republic. It was built in the 9th century and is the largest ancient castle in the world. The castle has been the seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia. It is now the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic.

Bran Castle, Romania
Bran Castle is a castle in Bran, Romania. It was built in the 14th century and is known for its association with the legend of Dracula. The castle is now a museum and is open to the public.

Alhambra, Spain
The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Spain. It was built in the 14th century and is known for its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens. The palace was built by the Nasrid dynasty and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Castles in Asia
Himeji Castle, Japan
Himeji Castle is one of the most famous castles in Asia. It was built in the 14th century and is known for its beautiful white exterior. The castle has 83 buildings and is surrounded by a moat.

Gyeongbokgung Palace, South Korea
The Gyeongbokgung Palace was built at the heart of Seoul in the 14th century and is known for its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens. The palace has 330 buildings and is surrounded by a wall.

Forbidden City, China
The Forbidden City is one of the largest palaces in Asia and probably in the world. The whole compound covers an astounding area of 720,000 square metres or 180 acres and 980 buildings. UNESCO called this the “seat of supreme power” for nearly 500 years of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and was the home to 24 emperors.

Osaka Castle, Japan
Osaka Castle is a Japanese castle in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan. The castle is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks and played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The castle is now a popular tourist attraction and is home to a museum.

Temples in Europe
Parthenon, Greece
The Parthenon is one of the most famous temples in Europe. It was built in the 5th century BC and is known for its stunning architecture and beautiful sculptures. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sagrada Familia, Spain
The Sagrada Familia was built in the 19th century and is known for its unique architecture. The temple was designed by Antoni Gaudí and is still under construction.

St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica is a church in Vatican City. It was built in the 16th century and is one of the largest churches in the world. The church is the burial site of Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.

Temples in Asia
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is one of the most famous temples in Asia. It was built in the 12th century and is known for its stunning architecture and beautiful sculptures. The temple was dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Borobudur, Indonesia
Borobudur is another famous temple in Asia. It was built in the 9th century and is known for its unique architecture. The temple was built in the shape of a mandala and is dedicated to the Buddha.

Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
The Shwedagon Pagoda is a Buddhist temple in Yangon, Myanmar. It was built in the 6th century and is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. The temple is covered in gold leaf and is said to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas.

Meenakshi Temple, India
The Meenakshi Temple is a Hindu temple in Madurai, India. It was built in the 17th century and is known for its stunning architecture and beautiful sculptures. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi and is one of the most visited temples in India.

Wat Rong Khun, Thailand
Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, is a Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It was built in the 21st century and is known for its stunning white exterior. The temple was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Thailand.