16th century castles of Europe
14 European castles and fortresses built mainly in the 16th century — each mapped, dated and ready to explore.
Aughnanure Castle
Six-storey O'Flaherty tower house near the shore of Lough Corrib
Dunluce Castle
Dramatic clifftop ruin on the Antrim coast, seen in Game of Thrones
Walls of Lucca
Italy's intact Renaissance ramparts, now a famous tree-lined walkway around Lucca
Château de Chenonceau
The elegant 'Castle of the Ladies', arching gracefully across the river Cher
Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
A Renaissance jewel built on an island, mirrored in the river Indre
Château de Chambord
The largest château of the Loire, crowned with a forest of towers and a double-helix stair
Dunguaire Castle
Picture-perfect tower house on the shore of Galway Bay
Château d'If
Island prison-fortress off Marseille, made famous by The Count of Monte Cristo
Château de Fontainebleau
A royal palace lived in by French monarchs for some seven hundred years
Château de Villandry
Renaissance château famed for its spectacular geometric gardens
Moritzburg Castle
A baroque hunting palace set on an island in its own lake
Crathes Castle
Fairytale tower house famous for painted ceilings and ancient yew hedges
Château de Chantilly
Lakeside château holding one of France's greatest art collections
Glücksburg Castle
A white Renaissance water castle, cradle of European royal dynasties