10 castles used for famous films

Visits behind the camera

Over the decades many films have been made in magnificent homes. Here are the ten most famous.

1. Eilean Donan (Ecosse) and Highlander

Used for many films, Eilean Donan Castle is a perfect place for shooting. Very well preserved, safe, and with a beautiful background, it is very appreciated by filmmakers. Among the films that have been shot in this castle are:

• Highlander
• Braveheart
• James Bond, The World is not enough

This place attracts many tourists every year for the landscape it offers. The castle is open to the public from March to November from 10 to 18h, the entrance costs about 5€.

2. Alnwick (England) and Harry Potter

Those who followed the Harry Potter saga cannot miss this castle in Narthumberland County located near Scotland. The interior of this castle has indeed been chosen to house the scenes of "Pudlard". It should be recalled that this series of films remains the most profitable of all time!

But the castle of Alnwick also sheltered other films such as " Robin Hood" with Kevin Costner for example! For 15€ you can visit this castle open from 10h to 17h30 from March to October.

3. Loarre (Spain) of " Kingdom of Heaven"

In Spain, it is not the missing castles. This one was chosen for its fortifications and austere beauty that suits many films. Thus, in the Kingdom of Heaven of Ridley Scott (2005), Orlando Bloom is walking on the walls of the Spanish castle.

You can visit the castle every day except Monday from 10 to 7 pm, the entrance costs about 4€.

4. Orava (Slovakia) and Nosferatu

An old film that you may not have seen but that marked the history of cinema. Nosferatu, a German silent film, retraces the discovery of vampires in Transylvania (in the center of Romania). The castle, considered one of the most beautiful in Slovakia, is imposing because it stands on a high hill and overlooks the land around it. The three imposing gates of the castle are open to the public from 8:30 am to 3 pm in winter or 6 pm in summer. The entrance costs about 5€.

5. Bürresheim (Germany) and Indiana Jones

A castle that is intimately linked to Harrison Ford and his inimitable character. The most well-known archaeologist of the cinema is the castle in "Indiaa Jones and the last Crusade" which is the third part of the 4 episodes. The castle of Brunwald in the film is no other than the castle of Bürresheim.

This impressive building is located near Mayen in Rhineland. According to the photos, the team found it too small but thanks to the special effects, they managed to give it a large size to be part of the film. To visit from 9am to 5pm every day except in December. The visit costs about 4€.

6. Doune (Ecosse) and Games Of Thrones

This is a castle of Scotland (again a...) that attracts filmmakers. Several films have been shot on this site in a special atmosphere. But if you have to remember only one, it might be “The Game of Thrones”, the successful HBO series. This is Winterfell, the seat of the “Stark” house in the film. You can visit the castle every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

7. Dover (England) and Hamlet

Dover Castle, located in Kent County is considered to be the largest castle in England. From hidden underground to the impressive walls of the castle, this imposing building is a perfect place for filmmakers. In particular, he served as a refuge and military control centre during the Second World War. Hamlet (1990) was shot in this castle that you can visit for 17€ the entrance all year round.

8. Belvoir (England) and "The Da Vinci Code"

Dan Brown and his successful (and polemic) books have recently been shot in film and it is in particular in Belvoir Castle, England, that the film by Ron Howard (2006) has been shot.

Visitable from 11am to 5pm every day for 15€, this castle has not only served for the Da Vinci Code but also for other feature films with smaller budgets.

9. Cahir (Ireland) and Excalibur

The Arthurian legends in their film version " Excalibur" (1981) by John Boorman, were shot in this imposing Irish castle. This film was indeed shot entirely in Ireland and we can see the castle in the background at the first scene with the main battle.

10. Belmonte (Spain) and "Le Cid"

Another rather impressive Spanish castle. Belmonte Castle is a fortress located on Mount San Cristobal in the province of Cuenca. He appeared in a tournament in Anthony Mann’s mythical film “Le cid” (1961) with Charlton Heston and Sofia Loren.

And you? Do you know other famous castles for their films?