Since the dawn of large civilizations, rulers and leaders have required large fortifications to keep invaders and mutinous citizens out, but also provide a comfortable life for those that live inside. It is believed that between 5,000 to 7,000 years ago, the first fortified settlements were created in places like China, India, and Egypt. Soon, knowledge about these fortified villages spread to Europe, and European monarchs ordered their architects and engineers to construct their own beefed-up palaces.
But the innovations of castles didn't just spring up out of nowhere. Early forms of fortified settlements utilized cliffs and rocks as protection, essentially forming "natural walls" that settlers could utilize as protection from invaders. Building artificial walls wouldn't become the norm for castles until around the 9th or 10th century. But these fortifications were mainly used for military or government purposes, not for living.
After people realized the huge potential castles had for safety, living quarters began to be constructed inside of them. Castles were constantly being re-engineered to have better defenses, living quarters, and more space. Unfortunately, castles were often cold, dark, and very difficult to build, sometimes taking upwards of thirty years! Castles soon fell out of fashion, but many can still be seen around the world.
Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the more elegant castles.
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