Castles are an important part of the fantasy genre, and there are so many incredible castes to explore.
They add depth to the settings of many great fantasies as well as contribute great historical context.
Fantasy castles come in many different shapes and sizes.
Some are home to royalty, some house schools or government operations, while others are empty.
Whatever the case may be, castles can be an exciting addition to a fantasy book, movie, or other media.
If you are looking to learn about some amazing fantasy castles, look no further.
This article will help you learn more about some of the genre’s most famous castles, as well as provide incredible artwork of each castle.
Keep reading to find out more!
Minas Tirith
Minas Tirith is the first of our fantasy castles to look at.
Fans of Lord of the Rings will certainly recognize this towering castle and its massive spires.
While originally used as a fortress and watchtower, this fantasy castle has a long history that reaches back to the earliest days of Middle Earth.
It is an iconic figure in the skyline of Middle Earth, and readers of the Lord of the Rings series will learn much more about this incredible structure than in the film adaptations.
In either case, it is a spectacular castle that has a fascinating history.
The city and the castle itself span seven different levels, each with its own gate.
It is built into a hill, making it a great shelter for battles.
Minas Tirith has faced many battles in its days, yet it still remains standing.
It is a refuge for many residents.
For many people, it is the safest possible location to be during a battle.
As we can see in the image above, this is a castle that cannot hide from those who are seeking it.
Though it blends into the mountains surrounding it, there is no disguising what it really is.
It reflects the beauty of the surrounding area and makes it a true landmark of the city.
This castle is not home to anyone who wants to live a quiet or reclusive life.
It was built in a manner that allows it to resist all kinds of attacks and protect those who live in the city.
This fantasy castle is not a typical castle that is home to a king or queen, but it is one that is designed to withstand battle, something of great importance in Middle Earth.
Hogwarts
Next up on our tour of fantasy castles is Hogwarts castle. Much like the previous castle, it is not the home of a king or queen, as we often think of castles to be.
This castle may be even more important than the home of royalty.
Hogwarts castle is home to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the Harry Potter novels.
This castle is an iconic element in Harry Potter’s world as it is where the majority of the series takes place.
Hogwarts castle is absolutely massive at seven stories high.
Within its many walls are dungeons, kitchens, and a great hall, as well as dormitories for the students who attend the school and classrooms for all of their learning.
There are moving staircases throughout the castle, and there are countless towers and secret passageways to discover. Hogwarts castle towers over the grounds beneath it, and it is the only building for miles and miles. Surrounding the castle are rolling hills as well as the Great Lake and the Forbidden Forest. It doesn’t get more picturesque than the landscape surrounding Hogwarts castle.
This fantasy castle was built in the Middle Ages by the four founders of Hogwarts school, along with a wizard architect. The castle is known for being one of the safest places in the world, and many valuable items have been stored here throughout its many years. The castle is fully maintained by magic and it is invisible to non-magic folks.
Besides being home to the best wizarding school in the world, Hogwarts castle is also the location of the Battle of Hogwarts in which Voldemort faces his defeat. This castle is certainly a historical landmark and is possibly the most important location in the entire Harry Potter series.
The artwork above demonstrates the sheer size of this castle. Though it is quite old, it remains architecturally beautiful and stable. The magic that supports it has made it a wonderful home for children to learn magic.
Mistborn Kredik Shaw
The final castle that we will look at is Kredik Shaw from the Mistborn series.
There have not been any screen adaptations of this series yet, so the only thing we can base the appearance of this castle on is its written description and our imaginations.
Unlike the other fantasy castles above, this castle is the home of a powerful leader, Lord Ruler.
Known for being a cruel and ruthless leader, Lord Ruler came into possession of the castle by mysterious means.
Though it is eventually destroyed, Kredik Shaw stands as a symbol of darkness and evil in the world.
“Kredik Shaw” translates to “hill of a thousand spires,” and it is clear how it got that name.
This castle had countless tall and winding spires on top of each of its many towers.
It is an incredibly ominous building that many fear.
It is also home to the Well of Ascension, a place that holds an enormous amount of power.
Fans of the Mistborn series will know that this castle is not a place that people enter without a plan.
It is full of evil and darkness, making it a place that should be avoided at all costs for most.
Fantasy Castles: Conclusion
I hope this article has provided you with some cool art of fantasy castles that inspires you.
And if you have your own art that you want to be featured in this list or you want us to feature some other fantasy castle, leave a message in the comments below!
Lastly, if you want to see more original fantasy art on this website, check out:
