Medieval Europe: Train Holidays to Explore Ancient Castles
When travelling through Europe, train holidays offer travellers a unique opportunity to experience both modern technology and ancient history. Offering a climate-controlled environment, large spacious cabins with state-of-the-art amenities, fining dining, live entertainment, and great service that can rival those of the best hotels, modern railways provide all the luxuries of modern life as you explore the mysteries and wonders of ancient cities, historical sites, and medieval castles in Europe. Train holidays are truly a combination of the old and the new: the perfect way to travel. Listed below are some ancient castles that you can check out during your travels.
Wawel Castle
Built on Wawel Hill, a centre for trade since the Palaeolithic Age, Wawel Castle in Cracow was once the residence of Polish kings and the site of royal coronations. Built as a gothic castle during the time of Casimir III the Great, it has undergone several reconstructions, with structures being added onto the original castle and courtyard. After World War I, Wawel Castle was given national recognition, serving as the official residence of the President of Poland in the 1920s. After World War II, Wawel Castle was turned into a national museum, with several exhibitions and serving as the tombs of several Polish kings and national heroes.
Hradany Castle
Hradany Castle in Prague is the largest medieval castle in the world. Hradany Castle was first built in the 9th century as a wooden construction, but has been destroyed and rebuilt several times since. Also known as Prague Castle, it is a monumental complex that can be considered a town in its own right, representing all architectural styles and periods of its 11 centuries of existence in Europe. Train holidays allow you the opportunity to alight and explore Prague and this wonderful castle. It is surrounded by three castle courtyards, and covers 45 hectares. Originally the residence of princes and kings of Bohemia, it has served as the seat of the president since 1918 and is considered as the symbolic heart of the nation.
Marienburg Castle
Marienburg Castle, also known as Malbork Castle, is considered the largest castle in Europe - according to surface area. Completed in 1406, it was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997. Once a residence of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights and Kings of Poland, Marienburg Castle now functions as a museum showcasing medieval weaponry and artefacts from the Teutonic way of life. In summer, Marienburg Castle holds a festival with a €Siege of the Malbork Castle', which includes mock battles and tournaments, along with other forms of traditional entertainment.
These are only a few of the castles that you can visit while travelling through Europe. Train holidays, among other advantages, allow for leisurely explorations of visited sites, with none of the rush and stress of regular means of transportation. And once done with your tour, you can rest in your luxurious sleeping car, have a drink in the lounge car, or recuperate with a great meal in the dining car on your way to the next castle!
Wawel Castle
Built on Wawel Hill, a centre for trade since the Palaeolithic Age, Wawel Castle in Cracow was once the residence of Polish kings and the site of royal coronations. Built as a gothic castle during the time of Casimir III the Great, it has undergone several reconstructions, with structures being added onto the original castle and courtyard. After World War I, Wawel Castle was given national recognition, serving as the official residence of the President of Poland in the 1920s. After World War II, Wawel Castle was turned into a national museum, with several exhibitions and serving as the tombs of several Polish kings and national heroes.
Hradany Castle
Hradany Castle in Prague is the largest medieval castle in the world. Hradany Castle was first built in the 9th century as a wooden construction, but has been destroyed and rebuilt several times since. Also known as Prague Castle, it is a monumental complex that can be considered a town in its own right, representing all architectural styles and periods of its 11 centuries of existence in Europe. Train holidays allow you the opportunity to alight and explore Prague and this wonderful castle. It is surrounded by three castle courtyards, and covers 45 hectares. Originally the residence of princes and kings of Bohemia, it has served as the seat of the president since 1918 and is considered as the symbolic heart of the nation.
Marienburg Castle
Marienburg Castle, also known as Malbork Castle, is considered the largest castle in Europe - according to surface area. Completed in 1406, it was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997. Once a residence of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights and Kings of Poland, Marienburg Castle now functions as a museum showcasing medieval weaponry and artefacts from the Teutonic way of life. In summer, Marienburg Castle holds a festival with a €Siege of the Malbork Castle', which includes mock battles and tournaments, along with other forms of traditional entertainment.
These are only a few of the castles that you can visit while travelling through Europe. Train holidays, among other advantages, allow for leisurely explorations of visited sites, with none of the rush and stress of regular means of transportation. And once done with your tour, you can rest in your luxurious sleeping car, have a drink in the lounge car, or recuperate with a great meal in the dining car on your way to the next castle!
Source...