One per country
The most famous castle in every country
The single most iconic castle, fortress or palace in each of the 131 countries on the map — ranked by global fame.
Pick any country and one castle stands above the rest: the one the most languages write about and the most readers look up. This page names that castle for all 131 countries in the atlas — from Palace of Versailles in France, the most famous castle on Earth, down to the signature landmark of every smaller country. Together these 131 national champions span the global fame ranking from #1 to #2,120, and 34 of them place inside the world's 100 most famous castles. Among them: 38 castles, 45 fortresses, 46 palaces & châteaux and 2 ruins. Fame is measured the same objective way as the full ranking of all 2,400 castles — how widely each is documented across Wikipedia's languages and how widely it is actually read.
Explore them on the interactive map →The 10 most famous national castles
Taking one castle per country, these are the ten whose national standout ranks highest in the world.
- Palace of Versailles France · #1 worldwide
- Forbidden City People's Republic of China · #2 worldwide
- Neuschwanstein Castle Germany · #3 worldwide
- Buckingham Palace England · #4 worldwide
- Alhambra Spain · #5 worldwide
- Kremlin Russia · #8 worldwide
- Red Fort India · #9 worldwide
- Topkapı Palace Turkey · #10 worldwide
- Himeji Castle Japan · #11 worldwide
- Balmoral Castle Scotland · #12 worldwide
The most famous castle in all 131 countries
Every country in the atlas, alphabetical, with its most famous castle and where that castle places in the worldwide fame ranking. Follow any castle for its photo, founding date and story, or any country for its full map.
| Country | Most famous castle | World rank |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇫 Afghanistan | Darul Aman PalacePalace & château · 20th century | #351 |
| 🇦🇱 Albania | Rozafa FortressCastle | #322 |
| 🇩🇿 Algeria | Qal'at Bani HammadCastle · 11th century | #499 |
| 🇦🇴 Angola | Fortress of São MiguelFortress | #1,469 |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | Pucará de TilcaraFortress · 11th century | #1,296 |
| 🇦🇲 Armenia | AmberdRuin · 10th century | #824 |
| 🇦🇼 Aruba | Fort ZoutmanFortress · 19th century | #2,043 |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | Schönbrunn PalacePalace & château · 17th century | #15 |
| 🇺🇦 Austria–Hungary | Potocki PalacePalace & château · 19th century | #1,085 |
| 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | Palace of the ShirvanshahsPalace & château · 15th century | #171 |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | Arad FortCastle · 15th century | #1,573 |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Lalbagh FortFortress | #238 |
| 🇧🇾 Belarus | Brest FortressFortress · 19th century | #178 |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | Royal Palace of BrusselsPalace & château · 19th century | #208 |
| 🇧🇯 Benin | Royal Palaces of AbomeyPalace & château | #398 |
| 🇧🇹 Bhutan | Tashichho DzongFortress | #582 |
| 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina | DaorsonFortress | #703 |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | Palácio da AlvoradaPalace & château · 20th century | #323 |
| 🇧🇳 Brunei | Istana Nurul ImanPalace & château · 20th century | #175 |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | TsarevetsFortress | #437 |
| 🇰🇭 Cambodia | Royal PalacePalace & château | #311 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Fortress of LouisbourgFortress · 18th century | #288 |
| 🇨🇻 Cape Verde | Fort Real de São FilipeFortress · 16th century | #1,988 |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | Pukará de QuitorFortress · 13th century | #2,004 |
| 🇨🇳 China | Summer PalacePalace & château | #37 |
| 🇨🇴 Colombia | Castillo de San Felipe de BarajasCastle · 16th century | #741 |
| 🇭🇷 Croatia | Diocletian's PalacePalace & château · 3rd century | #38 |
| 🇨🇺 Cuba | San Carlos de la Cabaña FortressFortress · 18th century | #540 |
| 🇨🇼 Curaçao | Fort AmsterdamFortress | #1,384 |
| 🇨🇾 Cyprus | Kolossi CastleCastle · 13th century | #502 |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Prague CastleCastle · 9th century | #19 |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Kronborg CastleCastle | #67 |
| 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic | Fortaleza OzamaFortress · 16th century | #561 |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | Babylon FortressFortress | #280 |
| 🏴 England | Buckingham PalacePalace & château · 18th century | #4 |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | Toompea CastleCastle · 13th century | #320 |
| 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | Fasil GhebbiFortress | #203 |
| 🇫🇴 Faroe Islands | SkansinFortress · 16th century | #1,291 |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | SuomenlinnaFortress · 18th century | #87 |
| 🇫🇷 France | Palace of VersaillesPalace & château · 17th century | #1 |
| 🇻🇳 French Third Republic | Imperial City of HuePalace & château | #272 |
| 🇬🇪 Georgia | NarikalaFortress | #403 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Neuschwanstein CastleCastle · 19th century | #3 |
| 🇬🇭 Ghana | Elmina CastleCastle · 15th century | #123 |
| 🇬🇮 Gibraltar | Moorish CastleCastle | #464 |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | AcrocorinthCastle · 7th century BC | #211 |
| 🇬🇹 Guatemala | Castillo de San Felipe de LaraFortress · 17th century | #1,762 |
| Guernsey | Castle CornetCastle · 13th century | #1,613 |
| 🇭🇹 Haiti | Sans-Souci PalacePalace & château · 19th century | #294 |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | Buda CastleCastle | #63 |
| 🇮🇳 India | Red FortFortress | #9 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Merdeka PalacePalace & château | #364 |
| 🇮🇷 Iran | Golestan PalacePalace & château | #34 |
| 🇮🇶 Iraq | Taq-i KisraPalace & château | #173 |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | Dublin CastleCastle · 13th century | #89 |
| 🇮🇲 Isle of Man | Castle RushenCastle · 13th century | #1,108 |
| 🇮🇱 Israel | MasadaFortress | #18 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Castel Sant'AngeloCastle · 2nd century | #17 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | Himeji CastleCastle · 14th century | #11 |
| 🇯🇪 Jersey | Elizabeth CastleCastle · 16th century | #1,509 |
| 🇯🇴 Jordan | Qasr AmraPalace & château | #298 |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | Fort Jesus MuseumFortress · 16th century | #193 |
| 🇽🇰 Kosovo | Fortress of PrizrenCastle · 5th century | #930 |
| 🇱🇦 Laos | Royal Palace, Luang PrabangPalace & château · 20th century | #1,216 |
| 🇱🇻 Latvia | Rundāle PalacePalace & château · 18th century | #273 |
| 🇱🇧 Lebanon | Beaufort CastleCastle · 12th century | #122 |
| 🇱🇾 Libya | Fort CapuzzoFortress | #878 |
| 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein | Vaduz CastleCastle | #131 |
| 🇱🇹 Lithuania | Trakai Island CastleCastle | #161 |
| 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Grand Ducal PalacePalace & château · 16th century | #392 |
| 🇲🇬 Madagascar | Rova of AntananarivoPalace & château | #411 |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | A FamosaFortress · 16th century | #498 |
| 🇲🇹 Malta | Fort Saint ElmoFortress · 16th century | #366 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | National PalacePalace & château · 20th century | #146 |
| 🇲🇩 Moldova | Soroca FortFortress | #820 |
| 🇲🇨 Monaco | Prince's PalacePalace & château | #127 |
| 🇲🇪 Montenegro | Žabljak CrnojevićaFortress | #2,093 |
| 🇲🇦 Morocco | Bahia PalacePalace & château · 19th century | #462 |
| 🇲🇿 Mozambique | Fort São SebastiãoFortress | #2,055 |
| 🇲🇲 Myanmar | Mandalay PalacePalace & château · 19th century | #604 |
| 🇳🇦 Namibia | Duwisib CastleCastle · 20th century | #2,120 |
| 🇩🇪 Nazi Germany | Grafeneck Euthanasia CentrePalace & château | #1,569 |
| 🇳🇵 Nepal | Singha DurbarPalace & château | #459 |
| Netherlands | Royal Palace of AmsterdamPalace & château · 17th century | #154 |
| 🇳🇮 Nicaragua | Fortress of the Immaculate ConceptionFortress · 17th century | #2,075 |
| 🇰🇵 North Korea | Pyongyang CastleCastle | #1,941 |
| 🇨🇾 Northern Cyprus | Kyrenia CastleCastle | #532 |
| 🇬🇧 Northern Ireland | Hillsborough CastleCastle · 18th century | #353 |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Akershus FortressCastle · 13th century | #142 |
| 🇴🇲 Oman | Bahla FortFortress | #331 |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | Lahore FortFortress | #85 |
| 🇵🇸 Palestine | Hisham's PalaceCastle | #549 |
| 🇵🇦 Panama | Chagres and Fort San LorenzoFortress · 16th century | #970 |
| 🇵🇾 Paraguay | Palacio de LópezPalace & château · 19th century | #645 |
| 🇨🇳 People's Republic of China | Forbidden CityPalace & château · 15th century | #2 |
| 🇵🇪 Peru | KuelapFortress | #578 |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | Malacañang PalacePalace & château | #229 |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | Malbork CastleCastle · 13th century | #29 |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Belém TowerFortress · 16th century | #40 |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | Bran CastleCastle · 13th century | #32 |
| 🇷🇺 Russia | KremlinPalace & château · 15th century | #8 |
| 🇸🇲 San Marino | Three Towers of San MarinoCastle | #490 |
| 🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe | São Sebastião MuseumFortress · 16th century | #1,938 |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Masmak FortFortress · 19th century | #434 |
| 🏴 Scotland | Balmoral CastleCastle · 14th century | #12 |
| 🇷🇸 Serbia | Belgrade FortressFortress · 1st century | #205 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | The IstanaPalace & château | #720 |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia | Spiš CastleRuin · 12th century | #124 |
| 🇸🇮 Slovenia | Predjama CastleCastle | #158 |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | Castle of Good HopeCastle · 17th century | #286 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | GyeongbokgungPalace & château · 14th century | #52 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | AlhambraPalace & château · 13th century | #5 |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Galle FortFortress · 16th century | #474 |
| 🇸🇷 Suriname | Fort ZeelandiaFortress | #942 |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Drottningholm PalacePalace & château · 17th century | #91 |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Habsburg CastleCastle · 11th century | #84 |
| 🇸🇾 Syria | Krak des ChevaliersCastle · 11th century | #35 |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan | Fort ZeelandiaFortress · 17th century | #318 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | Grand PalacePalace & château · 18th century | #58 |
| 🇨🇳 Tibet | Potala PalacePalace & château · 7th century | #14 |
| 🇹🇴 Tonga | Royal Palace of NukuʻalofaPalace & château · 19th century | #832 |
| 🇹🇳 Tunisia | Borj El KebirFortress | #1,785 |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | Topkapı PalacePalace & château · 15th century | #10 |
| 🇺🇦 Ukraine | Mariinskyi PalacePalace & château · 18th century | #113 |
| 🇺🇸 United States | Fort SumterFortress · 19th century | #71 |
| 🇦🇲 Urartu | Erebuni FortressFortress · 8th century BC | #329 |
| 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | Ark of BukharaFortress | #296 |
| 🇻🇦 Vatican City | Apostolic PalacePalace & château · 16th century | #27 |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | Independence PalacePalace & château · 20th century | #361 |
| 🏴 Wales | Caernarfon CastleCastle · 13th century | #80 |
| 🇾🇪 Yemen | Palace of Queen ArwaPalace & château | #2,008 |
Browse castles in all 131 countries → · See all 2,400 ranked by fame →
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous castle in the world?
By this atlas's fame ranking it is Palace of Versailles in France — documented in more Wikipedia language editions, and read by more people, than any other castle. It is naturally also the most famous castle in France.
What is the most famous castle in Germany?
Neuschwanstein Castle — a 19th century castle in Germany, ranked #3 of 2,400 worldwide.
What is the most famous castle in France?
Palace of Versailles — a 17th century palace & château in France, the most famous castle in the world.
What is the most famous castle in Japan?
Himeji Castle — a 14th century castle in Japan, ranked #11 of 2,400 worldwide.
What is the most famous castle in United States?
Fort Sumter — a 19th century fortress in United States, ranked #71 of 2,400 worldwide.
How is the most famous castle in a country decided?
Not by opinion. Every castle carries a fame score that blends how widely it is documented — the number of Wikipedia language editions with an article about it — with how widely it is read, from Wikipedia's pageview data. The highest-scoring castle in a country is its "most famous", the same method that ranks all 2,400 castles worldwide on the full fame ranking.
Does every country have a famous castle?
Every one of the 131 countries in the atlas has at least one documented castle, fortress or palace, and this page names the most famous in each. Countries with only a handful of entries still have a clear standout; a country with no well-documented castle simply isn't in the atlas yet — the data refreshes from Wikidata, so new ones can join.