“The house of everyone is to him as his Castle and Fortress as well for defense against attack and violence, as for his repose,” Sir Edward Coke wrote in 1604.
We now say, “Every man’s home is his castle,” to paraphrase this.
There’s a chance that your current residence is the most regal of all… But did you know that a castle can serve as your primary residence?
Even if you’re not a member of the royal family, you can afford one of these.
A wide variety of European castles are currently up for sale. All of them ooze history and personality, whether they are fantastic, useful, or mere ruins.
My childhood fantasy was to have a castle, like many others. It’s a lovely thought, but before you take the leap, there are some facts about life in a castle you should know.
Price
Pricing for castles varies greatly due to numerous factors such as their size, location, condition, and the current real estate market.
Despite the higher demand for urban castles, the best deals can be found in smaller, outlying settlements. You’ll get the best deals on castles in areas where either the government or private owners can’t afford to keep them up.
In 2017, Italy gave away free castles to anyone who was willing to put in the time and effort to restore them. They are not truly “free,” though, because you, as the owner, are obligated to make significant repairs.
Little, castle-like constructions may still be available for purchase in modern Italian town projects that sell properties for 1 euro if you refurbish them.
Castles and old palaces can still be found for sale in Poland, the Czech Republic, France, and Spain for prices that even commoners like us can afford.
Budgeting For Buildings And Fixing Them
Cut stone walls stuffed with rubble and mortar are the standard construction material for castles.
These days, it takes highly skilled stonemasons and a lot of time and money to construct a building out of cut stone.
It can cost many millions, if not tens of millions, to refurbish a huge castle in a desirable location in France or Germany.
One can acquire a castle without spending a fortune in other ways.
A smaller castle or castle-like construction, such as a medieval tower, is available for purchase.
Like miniature castles, watch, gate, and defensive towers can be seen all over Europe. Locations with towering battlements were chosen so that guards could keep an eye out for approaching enemies.
Remodeling Expenses
A second option for a budget castle purchase is to look for a crumbling structure in need of restoration.
Stunning examples of medieval architecture can be had for shockingly inexpensive costs. This is because employing trained personnel to cut stone and restore a castle can be prohibitively expensive.
Professionals with specialized skills, such as stonemasons, might be prohibitively expensive to hire in high-cost-of-living countries like Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Masonry is significantly less expensive in nations with cheaper labor, such as Poland and some regions of Spain and Portugal.
Advantages of Castle Life:
- Stunning vistas are a common feature of castles because they are frequently situated on hills.
- A castle embodies the very essence of history and romance. It’s fascinating to learn about the bloody and storied past of your home, which was formerly occupied by kings.
- Buying enough land and castles can sometimes earn you a noble title. If you buy a piece of land, it may come with a small nobility that you can inherit. Not many people do this, and none of these titles entitle their holders to any kind of peerage (such as the right to sit in the House of Lords in the United Kingdom), but for some people, just having a title on paper is enough. The premise is mildly humorous to me, an anti-colonial Irishman.
- Perfect fallback dwelling. Throughout the centuries, castles have been considered among the most secure residential structures available. These fortifications were extremely strong due to their thick stone walls, moats, portcullises, guard towers, murder holes, and battlements. Few locations nowadays are built or designed with defense in mind as thoroughly as this one was. If the end of society was imminent, a castle would be a wonderful refuge.
Disadvantage Of Castle Life:
- Because of the poor insulating properties of stone, large, drafty castles are notoriously difficult to heat.
- The availability of wireless Internet and mobile phone service. The thickness of castle walls can be anywhere from 2 feet to 50 feet. Cellular and Wi-Fi signals can’t travel through the stone. To stay in touch with the modern world from within a castle, you may need to install new cables or signal boosters.
- Stairs in towers are typically quite steep and winding, making it challenging for those with limited mobility to go about. There may be zoning or space restrictions that prevent you from installing an elevator.
- Regular upkeep is essential. While castles can last the test of time, there is still work that must be done to keep them from falling into disrepair. Roofs, for one, should be regularly inspected and repaired, and mortar (medieval cement) should be replaced as needed.
- Historical landmarks and zoning regulations. Once a government has designated a building as a national landmark, any alterations to it may be met with resistance. The limitations on your choice of materials and your ability to make aesthetic adjustments can be restrictive. Not all historic buildings in Europe are protected by a national or regional register and even those that have some discretion in how their interiors are renovated.
