This miniature castle in Kassel, Germany, was built as a fake ruin of a medieval castle. It became the habit of wealthy Europeans to build new constructions that were supposed to look like ancient ruins, but this is one of the few that was actually lived in. Elector Wilhelm I, as he came to be known, used it as a refuge from court life and it was the place where he kept his mistress.
Duivenvoorde Castle in the Netherlands was originally an ancient, 13th century project that was redone in the 18th century to its current appearance. It looks more like a fine house than a castle, but it does have a moat. The Van Duivenvoorde family owned it through five centuries until it passed into the hands of a foundation in the 20th century. As of 2011, it functions mainly as a museum.
Built in 1767 on an ancient Roman foundation, the Castillo de la Duquesa on the Spanish coast is a true 18th century castle. It was built as a military base and to provide coastal defense and help regulate customs. During the Peninsular War in the early 19th century, it was captured by the French for a time. By the 20th century, it had fallen into disrepair and was being lived in by homeless people, but now it is being used by the Manilva Town Council for its Department of Culture.
Also on the Spanish coast, construction of this castle began in 1753 at the order of King Ferdinand IV. It has 5 km of moat and 3.2 km of perimeter wall, making it one of the largest fortifications in the world. A model or modern design at the time, it was built to house 6,000 men and 5,00 horses. Its internal water tank is large enough to hold 9 million liters of water. You can take tours of this fortress, and they also host festivals, conferences and shows.
