Finding out the world’s largest castles is a bit tough task since the precise definition of a castle is ‘a defensive structure built as a residence for a ruler or nobleman’ and it isn’t always clear what a castle actually is. Here is a list of top five largest castles in the world. The castles are ranked as per their total area, not their height or number of rooms etc. Enjoy the read ….
1.      Malbork Castle
With an area of 143,591 square meters, the Malbork Castle is leading our list of top five largest castles in the world.  Situated in Prussia, this castle was built as a fortress by the Teutonic Knights in 1274. The founder of the castle named it Marienburg means Mary’s Castle.  It was used as HQs during their battles with the Polish and it was effectively utilized in crushing the Polish armies as well as to strengthen their rule over the northern Baltic Territories. Â
2. Mehrangarh Fort
It is not actually a castle but a fort. Sitting on Bhaurcheeria hill, Jodhpur, at the elevation of about 400 feet above the city, Mehrangarh is one of the biggest forts in India. Â Construction of Mehrangarh fort was incepted in the year 1454 by Rao Jodha and it took several years in the completion of this project. The fort is home to several beautifully crafted and skillfully decorated palaces. Most famous of these palaces include Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Phool Mehal (Flower Palace) and Sheesha Mehal (Mirror Palace).
3. The Prague Castle
Not only it is on our list of top five largest castles in the world, but based on the Guinness Book of World Records, it is also the world’s largest ancient castle. The 570-meters high and 130-meters long Prague Castle was built during the ninth century and was renovated and expanded several times until the last half of 18th century. The Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and heads of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices in this castle. In addition, the castle has many other attraction and sights too such as St. Vitus Cathedral and the St. George’s Basilica.
4. Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle that was built just after the Norman Invasions in order to protect Norman dominance as well as to oversee a strategically important part of the River Thames.  It’s also the world’s largest inhabited castle with over 500 folks living and working there.
5. Hohensalzburg Castle
Sitting at the Festungsberg Mountain, Hohensalzburg Castle is fifth among the top five largest castles in the world. The foundation of one of the largest medieval castles was laid in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein. The castle then witnessed major expansion between 1495-1519. With the insallation of a cable car in the year 1892, the fortress became a major tourist attraction of England. And in the recent past, it served as prison wherein Italian prisoners of war and Nazi activists were housed during First World War and the 1930s respectively.
Top Five Largest Castles in the World
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