LA Hilden

Kasteel Wijnendale is located in the village of Wijnendale in West Flanders, Belgium. Although much of the castle was rebuilt during the 19th century, its north wing dates back to the 15th century. The first fortress on this site was constructed in the 11th century and served as a stronghold for Robert I, Count of Flanders. During the 12th and 13th centuries, it became a residence of the Counts of Flanders, while in the 15th and 16th centuries the Dukes of Burgundy transformed it into a more refined residence. Ownership later passed to the Dukes of Pfalz-Neuburg, and the castle endured repeated attacks and occupations during the wars of Louis XIV, including damage from an explosion caused by French troops. Duke Johann Wilhelm rebuilt parts of the castle around 1700, but after the French Revolution the estate became property of the French state and fell into ruin. Purchased in 1833 by banker Josse-Pierre Matthieu, the castle was extensively rebuilt between 1837 and 1852, with later modifications by his son Joseph. The Matthieu family still owns the estate today, with one wing remaining private while the museum wing is open to the public.

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Crossbasket Castle is located near Glasgow, Scotland, on the banks of the River Calder. The earliest tower house on the site dates to the early 15th century and served as the dower house of the Lindsay family of Dunrod. The lands of Kilbride were granted to Sir John Lindsay by Robert II of Scotland in the late 14th century, and the estate remained connected to the family for centuries before changing ownership several times. During the 19th century, industrialist Charles Macintosh, associated with the development of waterproof fabric, operated a dye works nearby. In 1891, George Neilson extensively remodeled the property, creating much of the castle seen today. The castle later served as James Little College in the 1960s and then as a Christian retreat run by Latter Rain Ministries until 2005. After a period of abandonment, Crossbasket Castle was purchased and restored by the Reid-Timoney family, transforming it into a luxury hotel and event venue. Today, the castle features elegant suites, a ballroom, a private bridal tower, refined public rooms, and an acclaimed restaurant.

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Dublin Castle is located in Dublin, Ireland, and serves as both a major government complex and tourist attraction. Originally built as a defensive fortress by King John of England and largely completed by 1230, it followed a Norman courtyard design with a central square and circular corner towers. Over the centuries, additions and changes were made, though much of the original medieval structure now lies underground, with only the Record and Bermingham Towers remaining above ground. After a fire in 1684, the castle was rebuilt in the Georgian style. Today, it features State Apartments including the Throne Room, State Drawing and Dining Rooms, bedrooms, and Saint Patrick’s Hall, once a ballroom and now used for presidential inaugurations. The Royal Chapel, completed in 1814, is richly decorated, with its crypt now serving as an art center. The grounds also include the Chester Beatty Library and the Garda Museum in the Treasury Building. 

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Christiansborg Palace is located in Copenhagen, Denmark, on a site that has housed multiple castles since the 12th century, beginning with Absalon Castle built in 1167 by Bishop Absalon. After its destruction in 1370, Copenhagen Castle was constructed and rebuilt several times before structural issues led to its replacement. The first Christiansborg Palace, a Baroque structure completed in 1745, was destroyed by fire in 1794. A second palace, built in the French Empire style between 1803 and 1828, was mainly used for royal events and was only inhabited by King Frederick VII before it too burned down in 1884. The current Christiansborg Palace, completed between 1907 and 1928, serves as both a royal palace and government center. It houses the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Supreme Court, making it the only building in the world to contain all three branches of government. The palace features Royal Reception Rooms, the Great Hall with tapestries depicting over 1,000 years of Danish history, the Palace Chapel, Royal Kitchen, Royal Stables, and preserved ruins beneath, with several areas open to the public.

Czocha Castle is located in the village of Czocha in Leśna, Poland, and was built in the mid-13th century as a defensive stronghold on gneiss rock overlooking Lake Leśnia along the historic Czech-Lusatian border. It later became part of the duchy of Henry I of Jawor and passed through several noble families over the centuries. The castle was besieged during the Hussite Wars in the early 15th century and, in 1453, was purchased by the von Nostitz family, who owned it for about 250 years and carried out multiple renovations, reinforcing its defenses during the Thirty Years War. A fire in 1793 caused significant damage, and in 1909, owner Ernst Gutschow led a major restoration that shaped much of its current appearance. After World War II, the castle was looted and used to house Greek refugees, then taken over by the Polish Army in 1952 as a military retreat. Since 1995, it has operated as a hotel and conference center, featuring period-style rooms, a wine bar, café, and restaurant, along with notable interiors such as the Knights Hall, marble hall, and a library rumored to contain a hidden room. In recent years, it has also become known for hosting immersive wizard-themed experiences.

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