Castles

A castle is a fortified structure, usually built in the Middle Ages, which served as a residence for the nobility and at the same time as a defensive fortress. Castles were built of stone or brick and had thick walls, towers, battlements, moats filled with water, and drawbridges. The main purpose of a castle was protection from enemies, so they were located on hills or in strategically important places. Inside the castle there were living quarters, halls, chapels, storage rooms, and a courtyard. Today, many castles are historical monuments and tourist attractions that tell the story of the life and culture of past eras.