Castle Tour

Welcome! 

Hand cut by inkspired

“Every man deserves a castle;

doesn’t matter how big your castle is.”

- Big Narstie

Let’s take a little tour of some European castles! I have ordered them, loosely, from oldest to newest.

First up -

Prague Castle; 

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Castle was built around 880 AD. It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest castle, at 70,000 square meters. It has been added and renovated throughout the years resulting in many different architectural styles, including Romanesque and Gothic.

“If a castle gets destroyed, 

you just build a new one. If you wanted me to 

I’d build them over and over. 

Let’s build them together.”

- Fuyumi Soryo

Here is a coloring page of a similar castle.

2. Killyleagh Castle; 

Killyleagh, Northern Ireland

In 1180 a fortification was built on fortress ruins. In 1625 King James I gave this land to James Hamilton (who later became First Viscount Claneboye). Since then it has been the home of the Hamilton family.

This chart helps us with some of the specialty words used for castles.

WordUnited.com

Perhaps a princess like this lived here!

Here is a princess you can draw-

Activityvillage.co.uk

3. Arundel Castle;

Arundel, England

Built in the 11th century (approximately 1067)it was restored throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Primarily built in the Gothic architecture style, it was originally motte-and-bailey style. It has extensive gardens and has been the backdrop for many movies and tv series such as Dr. Who, The Young Victoria and even an episode of Wonder Woman.

What’s motte-and-bailey style, you ask?

Here’s a nice diagram from

Britishcastle.co.uk

Wouldn’t it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true and we could live in them?

- Louisa May Alcott

4. Kreuzenstein Castle;

Leobendorf, Austria

Built on the remains of a 12th century medieval castle, Kreuzenstein Castle was destroyed in the 30 years’ war. It was intended to be a Wilczek family vault, rather than a place to live. It is currently made from sections of medieval structures purchased from all over Europe, taking 30 years to complete.

Why not try to draw your own castle? 

Found on Pinterest

Or you could make a castle card, like this one-

Cut with a Sizzix die

If there is one door in the castle you have been told not to go through, you must. Otherwise, you’ll just be rearranging furniture in rooms you’ve already been in.

- Anne Lamott 

5. Cesis Castle;

Cesis, Latvia

In 1209 Cesis Castle was first built as a stone chapel, and a chapter house. In 1577 Ivan the Terrible laid siege to it. Rather than be captured or killed, 300 people inside committed mass suicide by blowing themselves up with their remaining gunpowder.

“The castle walls remind us that united the Latvian people are invincible.”

- Mayor Rudolf Kaucis

This how-to will help you learn how to draw your own knights -

Here is a different how-to -

6. Huis Bergh Castle;

Heerenberg, Netherlands

It is one of the largest castles in the Netherlands. Now a museum, it is famous for its’ medieval art and collection of medieval handwriting. At one point it was a priest seminary. Built in 1240, a major fire decimated it in 1735. In 1912 it was rebuilt, only to have another major fire in 1939. This time it was in renovation until 1941.

Here’s a fun maze to do -

and another castle you can draw -

7. Butron Castle Gatica;

Basque Country, Northern Spain

Found in the Basque area of the country, this fantasy castle goes back to the 14th century. It was rebuilt in 1878 in the Gothic Revival style. It is a protected building of Spain, and is not open to the public inside. It is a modern castle with a fairytale look reminiscent of Bavarian castle models.

Here is a paint by number castle -

Paperthinpersonas has drawn a knight paper doll in both color and black and white for you to color. After cutting out, glue the paper doll to the back of a thin piece of cardboard such as a cereal box. Leave his armor as paper.

8. Chateau de Chambord;

Loire Valley, France

This Chateau was built from 1519 - 1547 to be used by King Francis I as a hunting lodge. Built in the French Renaissance style it has 440 rooms with 282 fireplaces and 84 stair cases!

King Francis I

A medieval style has a long corridor with doors/rooms on either side.

Renaissance style groups rooms together, to form self contained suites.

Here is yet another way to draw a castle -

9. Marienburg Castle

Hildesheim, Germany

King George V built this castle (1858 - 1867) as a birthday present for his wife, Marie of Saxe-Altenburg. It is an example of Gothic Revival architecture. It is currently closed for renovations, with an estimated opening of 2030.

HM Queen of Hanover Marie Saxe-Altenburg Duchess of Cumberland and Brunswick with Princess Marie of Hanover. Artist: Wilhelm von Kaulbach

Here is a fun dot-to-dot game -

- and a jumping Jack type puppet/paper doll. Glue your knight onto thin cardboard  to make him sturdy enough for play.

10. Adverikie Castle;

Scottish Highlands, Scotland

This 19th century castle sits on 40,000 acres. The Scottish baronial style was rebuilt in 1871 after a major fire. The estate holds the oldest (and famous) deer forest with the same ownership for over 150 years. It has been featured in several movies and tv series, such as Monarch of the Glen, episodes of Miss Marple (Agatha Christie) and Netflix’s series The Crown.

Here is a prince and another princess for you to draw -

and another dot-to-dot -

I have enjoyed this small tour of a few European castles. I hope you have also!

I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to leave me some feedback.

Is there something you would like to know more about? I am always open to new ideas for blogs.

‘Til next time,

inkspired

A few sites I visited while researching for this blog, in no particular order:

TripAdvisor.com

Eiffel.info

Countryliving.com

ardverikie.com

Castellinelmondo.altervista.org

Arundelcastle.org

wisesayings.com

AZquotes.com

worldatlas.com

Oldest.org

Pinterest

Expedia.com

en.wikipedia.org

Britannica.com

Nativities Around the World

 Bienvenue!

Aloha mai kakou!

Herzlich Willkommen!

Bienvenido!

hoş geldin!

Nativity from Northern Germany

I love nativities and angels from around the world. Each culture has their own unique way of expressing a world-changing event that happened over 2,000 years ago.

Let’s look at a few countries. Not just looking at nativities, but exploring that country’s views on religion. How many people believe in a traditional religion that celebrates Jesus’ birth? Would nativities be common in those countries? Or would it be part of a minority view?

Nicaraguan Triangle nativity

Nicaragua 

Religious freedom and tolerance is promoted by the Nicaraguan constitution. However in recent years the government has detained, imprisoned and tortured numerous Catholic leaders. In 2020 79% of religious believers stated they are Christian, with 39% Protestant and almost 40% Catholic. Popular religions revolve around the saints and pictures of saints are common in the home.

Provence, France

France

A significant chunk of the French population are not religious. A 2020 poll of 18-49 year olds revealed only 34% were Christian, with the majority of those being Catholic. 53% said they had no religion.

Nativity from Brazil

The next 3 countries all speak Spanish, although they are on 2 different continents.

Brazil

In 1891 Brazil ceased all official religion and became secular. However 90% of the population associate themselves with some religion; with Catholicism being the largest. In fact Brazil has the largest population of Catholics of any country in the world, although Protestant religion in Brazil is rising.

Venezuelan nativity

Venezuela

In Venezuela all religious organizations must register with the government to obtain legal status. A 2011 poll revealed 71% of the people are Catholics, with 17% evangelical Protestants.

Mexican Folk Art nativity

Mexico
Central Mexico remains one of the most Catholic populated areas in the world. However in recent years other church groups have been growing throughout Mexico such as Protestant, Jehovah Witness and Mormons.

Haitian nativity

Haiti
With Catholic Christians being in the majority in Haiti, this country has a very multi-faceted view of religion. It includes Cuban Santeria and Brazilian Candomble’ (derived from West and Central African religions).

Nativity from Italy

Italy

Historically Catholic, partly due to the Vatican being within its borders, Italy is 74% Catholic. The government respects and promotes religious freedom and diversity.

Nativity from Turkey

Turkey

(the Republic of Türkiye)

 Islam is the most common religion in Turkey. At birth every child is registered by the government as Muslim. Turkey is officially a secular country. It is the 5th most often visited country in the world.

Nativity from Bali, Indonesia

Bali
Bali is 90% Hindu with Christian, Islam and Buddhist minorities. It is among the top 3 places in the world with such a high concentration of Hindu believers, although it is a different religious form than Indian Hinduism. In Bali Hinduism is closer to animism’s belief in a soul in every living thing in nature.

Nativity from Peru

Peru

The government signed an agreement with the Vatican in 1980 that the Catholic Church receives preferential treatment in education, tax benefits and immigration of religious workers.

Peruvian Catholicism is blended with the ancient Incan religion.

Thai nativity (note the elephants!)

Thailand
90-94% of the population are Buddhists, influenced with Hinduism. To a lesser degree they are also influenced by Islamism, Taoism and Sikhism. Religious festivals are an important part of Thai culture.

An Hawaiian nativity

 Hawaii 

While Hawaii is not a country but one of the states of the United States of America, it has retained much of its original culture. Besides, I had to include it as this is one of my favorite nativities! Hawaii is primarily an evangelical Christian state, followed closely by Catholicism and then Buddhism. With the revival of Hawaiian traditions Kapu system is making a comeback. It is based on Polynesian ancestors’ religion.

A nativity from Malawi

Malawi

Religious instruction is mandatory in public primary schools in Malawi. The 87% majority religions are Christian/Catholic with a Muslim minority. Religion plays an important part in the daily life of Malawians.

That’s it for today! I do want to note that I separated ’Christian’ and ‘Catholic’ merely because that is how most polls and statistics have it.

‘Til next time,

inkspired

A few of the websites I visited for information, in no particular order:

Britannica.com

Culturalatlas.sbs.com

Faithinspires.org

Worldatlas.com

Encyclopedia.com

Pewresearch.org

Countryreports.org

Wikipedia.org

cia.gov

Malawiproject.org

Pinterest

Another side note:

This is the weirdest blog format! Today blogspot has decided I needed white rectangles behind much of my dialogue.

What?

Why?