Fantasy: Castles, Dragons, and Wizards

Possibly the most recognized real castle in existence, it is certainly the most photographed! If you ever wanted to see a castle, you'll be blown away by this one. Built by order of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, it is located on a hill near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany.

The name of this castle was originally New Hohenschwangau Castle, but the name was changed in honor of the Swan Knight, Lohengrin, a character in one of Wagner's operas.

Building on this amazing castle was nearly complete when King Ludwig II was declared insane by four doctors who never even examined him, such were the politics of the day. Ludwing and Dr. von Gudden were found floating in Lake Starnberg under very suspicious circumstances on June 13, 1886. Neuschwanstein has nearly 6,000 visitors per day in the summer! I visited this castle in the winter, and it was breath-taking. Be advised, photography is not allowed inside the castle.

Schloss Neuschwanstein Poster

Bran castle is more popularly known as Dracula's Castle, even though it is doubtful Dracula ever spent any time there. It is found 1,500 feet above the Arefu Valley on the border of Transylvania and Wallachia, Romania. Bran Castle is a popular tourist attraction, and is a national monument in Romania. It was up for sale, however, in January 2009, the family decided to turn it into a museum.

Learn so much more at the Bran Castle homepage.

Nearly one million people a year visit Edinburgh Castle which was built upon a basalt plug of an extinct volcano. Not only does one get a fantastic view of the beauty of Scotland from its battlements, but one can see the various rooms where many dramatic historical events took place. Scottish Kings took refuge in this mighty frotress and Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to the future King James VI of Scotland and who later, became King James I of England, in the Royal apartments. the Crown Jewels of Scotland, know as the Honours are also displayed in this castle. On the grounds of Edinburgh Castle one finds the oldest building in Edinburgh, the 900 year old St. Margaret's Chapel, and also the Witches' Well, where women found guilty of witchcraft were put to death.

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One of the most beloved legends in history, the adventures of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table have fascinated dreamers and historians alike. We would like to think that legends such as this are true, or at the very least, have some basis in truth, but proof is hard to come by when the event is so long gone. That doesn't stop people from looking, and who knows? Maybe one day they will find definitive proof of their existance. Until then, we will enjoy the dream...

Edmund Blair Leighton (1853-1922) was an English painter associated with the Pre-Raphaelite and Romantic styles who left his job in the office of a tea merchant to pursue painting. He is well known for his medieval themes and his art hangs in many prestigious galleries, museums, and in the private collections of a lucky few. The Accolade may be his most well known painting.

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King Arthur and Sir Lancelot

Why are we so fascinated with dragons? Is it because they represent strength and wisdom, or because they allow us to escape to a place of dreams and fantasy where we can leave the pressures of this world behind us for awhile. Perhaps these dragons represent the things in our lives we cannot change, but can be defeated in fantasy. For whatever reason, they continue to enchant us.

Rogue Dragon



Dragon's Dream

Merlin, the legendary wizard in the tales of King Arthur, was said to have been born of a human woman and fathered by incubus. Merlin first appears in the Historia Regum Britanniae and is said to have been compiled from Legendary Welsh madman and prophet, Merlinus Caledonensis, and 5th Century war hero Aurelius Ambrosius. Merlin serves King Arthur until he is bewitched and imprisoned by the Lady of the Lake.


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Thanks to J.R.R.Tolkien and the wonderful Lord of the Ring movies, Gandalf has become a well known wizard. The inspiration for Gandalf was believed to be the fellow in Der Berggeist, this painting was on a post card owned by Tolkien on which he scribbled "the origin of Gandalf". The name Tolkien originally gave Gandalf was Bladorthin, but changed it to Gandalf which loosely meant "magic elf". Most people actually pronounce the wizard's name, which should be spoken as Gandalv according to Tolkien's notes, however, that pronunciation is rarely heard.

Tolkien referred to Gandalf in a letter as angelic, and said he gave him the flesh of an old man to limit his power on Earth, although he had earlier stated that Gandalf was a bit like the Norse god, Odin who would sometimes disguise himself as a traveller.

The picture to the right is Odin disguised as the traveller.

Some of the worlds castles have a history straight out of a fantasy tale. Check out these sites:

Castles of Scotland
Castles of Scotland: Part 2
Castles of Scotland: Part 3
Castles of Scotland: Part 4

Castles of England
Castles of England: Part 2
Castles of England: Part 3
Castles of England: Part 4

Castles of Spain
Castles of Spain: Part 2
Castles of Spain: Part 3
Castles of Spain: Part 4

Castles of Germany
Castles of Germany: Part 2
Castles of Germany: Part 3
Castles of Germany: Part 4
Castles of Germany: Part 5