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Abandoned Castles in Europe


Tammy Dray


Europe has hundreds of castles. Although many have survived the passing of time, others have fallen into disuse and were abandoned decades ago. Abandoned castles sometimes become destinations for urban explorers, who often sneak into the ruins to take photographs. Some abandoned castles allow visitors, but many are closed because they can be dangerous as the structures get older and less stable.

Mesen Castle

Mesen Castle is special for a number of reasons. One is that it's located in Lede, one of Belgium's smallest towns, with less than 1,000 inhabitants. This 15th-century castle served as a boarding school for girls, a tobacco factory and a sugar refinery before it was completely abandoned in the mid-1900s. The castle houses a Gothic Revival chapel, with many of the glass-stained windows still intact. The rest of the castle has not fared that well and is now mostly overtaken by nature. Although there had been some movement to make the castle a protected monument, it never materialized.

Chateau de Noisy

Also located in Belgium, in the city of Celles, is the Chateau de Noisy. Built in 1866 as a royal summer residence, it was occupied during World War II and eventually abandoned in 1991. One of the castle's main features is its 183-foot-tall clock tower, which still can be reached via a large stone staircase.

Lennox Castle

Built in 1841, this castle in Lennoxtown, Scotland, 11 miles north of Glasgow, was used as a royal residence only until 1927. After that, the Glasgow Parish Council bought it and the castle became the "Lennox Castle Certified Institution for Mental Defectives." The hospital remained opened until 1987, when some of the buildings were closed. By 2002, it was completely abandoned. The building deteriorated very quickly, and by the mid-1990s most of the flooring on the upper level had collapsed.

Coity Castle

Coity Castle in Wales is one of the oldest castles in Europe. Built in 1126 and renovated during the 14th and 16th centuries, the castle hasn't seen any inhabitants since the 1700s. Much of the original building is gone, but a few towers, walls and the entrance gate still stand. Visitors are welcome on the grounds.







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