Some 25,000 castles, palaces and mansion houses bear witness to Germany's history: from splendid, perfectly preserved landmarks to ruined reminders of former glory.
Although at one point it is believed there were over 10,000 castles in the current territory of Spain today about 2000 castles still exist and the number of the ones that can be visited is far less.
Whilst the exact number is not known, experts have estimated that Germany is home to over 20.000 castles. From castles that look like they come straight out of a fairy tale to medieval fortresses with moats, Germany features some of Europe's most impressive castles and palaces.
Why these properties are so seemingly cheap is obvious to the French: The castles are a money-suck. They demand constant repairs. The lower-priced ones are often located in isolated areas, far from the nearest train station or grocery store. They consume massive amounts of energy.
As feudalism in China had been largely superseded by centralised nation states since the Qin Dynasty from 221 BC, most Chinese castles were not intended as residences of the nobility, but are more properly described as either fortresses or fortified vernacular and religious structures.
Molly's Lodge, is a Grade II* Listed castle, it forms part of a 0.61 acre plot and it's located near the village of Long Compton, in Warwickshire, in England.
The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork (Polish: Zamek w Malborku; German: Ordensburg Marienburg) is a 13th-century Teutonic castle and fortress located in the town of Malbork, Poland. It is the largest castle in the world measured by land area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
French Renaissance also kept the steep roofs of medieval castles as can be seen for example at Azay-le-Rideau (1518), and the original Scottish baronial style might have been influenced by French masons brought to Scotland to work on royal palaces.