Over the decades many films have been made in beautiful homes. Here are the ten most famous.
1. Eilean Donan (Scotland) and "Highlander" (Scotland)
Used for many films, Eilean Donan's castle is a perfect location for filming. Very well preserved, safe, and with a magnificent backdrop, it is much appreciated by filmmakers. Among the films that have been shot in this castle, we can mention in particular :
- 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 am to 6 pm, the entrance fee is around 5€.
2. Alnwick (England) and Harry Potter
Those who have followed the Harry Potter saga cannot miss this castle in the county of Narthumberland near Scotland. The interior of this castle was indeed chosen to house the scenes from 'Hogwarts'. It should be remembered that this series of film remains today the most profitable of all times!
But Alnwick Castle has also hosted other films such as "Robin Hood" with Kevin Costner for example! For 15€ you can visit this castle open from 10am to 5.30pm from March to October.
3. Loarre (Spain) from "Kingdom of Heaven".
There is no shortage of castles in Spain. This one has been chosen for its fortifications and its austere beauty which is suitable for many films. Thus, in Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Orlando Bloom walks on the ramparts of the Spanish castle.
You can visit the castle every day except Monday from 10am to 7pm, the entrance costs about 4€.
4. Orava (Slovakia) and "Nosferatu".
An old movie that you may not have seen but that made cinema history. Nosferatu, a German silent film, recounts the discovery of vampires in Transylvania (in central 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. Admission costs about 5€.
5. Bürresheim (Germany) and "Indiana Jones" (Indiana Jones)
A castle that is intimately linked to Harrison Ford and his inimitable character. The most famous archaeologist of the cinema surveys this castle in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" which is the third part of the 4 episodes. The castle of Brunwald in the film is none other than the castle of Bürresheim.
This impressive construction is located near Mayen in the Rhineland. According to the pictures, the team thought it was too small but thanks to the special effects, they managed to make it big enough to be part of the film. To be visited from 9am to 5pm every day except in December. The visit costs about 4€.
6. Doune (Scotland) and "Games Of Thrones
Here is a Scottish castle (another one...) that attracts filmmakers. Several films have been shot on this website with a special atmosphere. But if you have to remember only one, it might be "Game of Thrones", HBO's hit series. It's about Winterfell, home of the house of "Stark" in the film. You can visit the castle every day from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.
7. Dover (England) and "Hamlet" (England)
Dover Castle, located in the county of Kent, is considered to be the largest castle in England. From the hidden underground passages to the impressive castle walls, this imposing building is a perfect place for filmmakers. Among other things, it served as a refuge and military command centre during the Second World War. Hamlet (1990) was filmed in this castle which you can visit for 17€ entrance fee all year round.
8. Belvoir (England) and "The Da Vinci code".
Dan Brown and his best-selling (and controversial) books have recently been made into films, and Ron Howard's film (2006) was shot at Belvoir Castle in England.
Visitable from 11am to 5pm every day for 15€, this castle was not only used for The Da Vinci Code but also for other smaller budget feature films.
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 the castle can be seen in the background during the first scene with the main battle.
10. Belmonte (Spain) and "Le Cid" (The Cid)
Another rather impressive castle in Spain. Belmonte Castle is a fortress located on Mount San Cristobal in the province of Cuenca. It appears in a tournament in Anthony Mann's mythical film "The Cid" (1961) with Charlton Heston and Sofia Loren.