What do you think of when you hear dungeons and dragons, ghost and goblins or kings and queens? If you said castles, you are not alone sire. Some of these legendary ones are found in the Europe. Castles consist of a group of fortified buildings with thick walls and towers.. Today, monarchs still reside in some very popular ones, such as Windsor Castle. Others serve as tourist attractions and museums. The wealthy even have the luxury of residing in some majestic ones.

地下城和恶龙、幽灵和地精或者国王和王后，这些词会让你想到些什么呢？如果你的答案是“城堡”，那么阁下您不是唯一这样说的。有些梦幻般的城堡就坐落在欧洲。城堡是由一组墙厚塔高的加强型建筑所组成的。时至今日，君主贵族们依然居住在一些非常有名的城堡中，比如温莎城堡。另一些城堡则被用作旅游观光胜地和博物馆。也有超级大富豪们享受着居住在宏伟庄严城堡之中的奢华。

So here I have compiled some of the most beautiful castles in Europe. I hope you will like it.

这里汇集了欧洲的最美丽的几座城堡，希望你会喜欢。

Leeds Castle – Kent, England

利兹城堡——英格兰，肯特郡

Considering how patriotic and proud Englishmen are, this comes as no surprise, but Leeds is the self-proclaimed “loveliest castle in the world.” Visit this extraordinary castle just once and you will find yourself agreeing with the English about their claim.

考虑到英国人的爱国热情和自豪感，这座城堡的入选并无悬念，不过利兹堡是自我宣称的“世界上最可爱的城堡”。只需来这座非凡的城堡游览一次，你就完全赞同英国人的那自我宣称了。

Prague Castle – Prague, Czech Republic

布拉格城堡——捷克共和国，布拉格

The Prague Castle was a work in progress between the 9th and 18th centuries. The original fortress expanded steadily until it started to host governmental affairs. This is one castle tour that has international tourists in mind: the guided tour is offered in six languages.

布拉格城堡的建造时间绵延公元9世纪到公元18世纪。最初的堡垒稳步扩张，直到它开始主掌政府事务处理。这是考虑到国际游客的城堡观光：导游提供六种语言引导观光游览。

Castelo de Sao Jorge – Lisbon, Portugal

圣乔治城堡——葡萄牙，里斯本

If you are looking for a bird’s eye view of the Atlantic Ocean, Castelo de Sao Jorge is the place to go. The castle originally known as Lisbon Castle also offers a scenic view of the country’s capital.

如果你想鸟瞰大西洋，那么圣乔治堡将会是你理想的去处。这座原名里斯本堡的城堡也提供了国家首都的全景眺望。

El Alcazar – Segovia, Spain

阿尔卡萨尔城堡——西班牙，塞戈维亚(译注：有说此堡即为白雪公主城堡原型)

El Alcazar is an impressive castle in that it rises in an almost surreal way near the heart of the city. The castle is steeped in history. El Alcazar is now easily the most picturesque area in Spain.

阿尔卡萨尔城堡令人印象深刻的一个原因是，它以超现实主义的方式矗立在接近城市中心的地方。这座城堡沉浸在历史之中。阿尔卡萨尔堡很轻易地被评为西班牙最风景如画的地方。

Neuschwanstein Castle – Munich, Germany

新天鹅堡——德国，慕尼黑（译注：此堡即为睡美人城堡原型）

Do not tell anyone, but you will surely be astonished and amazed to know that Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle was “inspired” by the Neuschwanstein Castle.

不必告诉别人你有多惊讶——这座德国新天鹅堡就是迪士尼睡美人城堡的灵感之源。

Mont Saint-Michel – Normandy, France

圣米歇尔山城堡——法国，诺曼底

Originally designed as an abbey for pilgrims, it has evolved throughout the years. The castle sits on a rocky area between Normandy and Brittany, overlooking the bay.

这最早是为朝圣者而设计修建的教堂寺院，已经一年年地随着岁月进化成一座城堡。它坐落在诺曼底和布列塔尼之间的一片岩石区域上，俯瞰着港湾。

Lincoln Castle – Lincolnshire, England

林肯城堡——英格兰，林肯郡

Built at the beginning of the 11th century, Lincoln Castle served as home of the legendary William the Conqueror. Thereafter, starting in 1787, Lincoln Castle was a prison for the Lincolnshire area partially because its layout and build made it impossible for detainees to escape.

建造于11世纪初期，林肯城堡是那传奇人物征服者威廉（译注：威廉一世）的家。之后，从1787年开始，林肯城堡成为了林肯郡的监狱，部分原因是它的设计布局和建造形式使得被关押者难以逃离。

Chateau de Chambord – Loire Valley, France

尚博城堡——法国，卢瓦河谷

Le Chateau de Chambord remains one of the jewels in Europe’s crown. Built back in 1547, a visit will leave you gawking at its 440 rooms, and a game of Hide and Seek will last forever.

尚博城堡是欧洲皇冠上的一颗明珠。建于1547年，这座城堡会让你对它的440个房间瞠目结舌，那捉迷藏的游戏已经流逝了。

Frankenstein Castle – Darmstadt, Germany

弗兰肯斯坦城堡——德国，达姆施达特（译注：科学怪人城堡原型）

A certain Lord Konrad Dippel von Frankenstein once inhabited this legendary castle in the 16th century. Apparently, von Frankenstein traded in his soul for eternal life.

某位康拉德领主迪佩尔·冯·弗兰肯斯坦曾在16世纪住在这传奇城堡之中。显然，冯弗兰克斯坦出卖了他的灵魂来换取永生。

Glamis Castle – Glamis, Scotland

格拉姆斯城堡——苏格兰，格拉姆斯

When I mentioned ghosts, I was referring to Glamis. Considered by many to be the most haunted castle in Scotland, rumor states that many were murdered here, including the legendary Duncan and King Malcolm II.

开头提到“幽灵”这个词，我想说的就是格拉姆斯堡。很多人都认为这是苏格兰最闹鬼的城堡。传闻说有很多人在这里被谋杀，包括著名的邓肯一世和马尔科姆二世。