Information
Landmark: Windsor CastleCity: Windsor
Country: United Kingdom
Continent: Europe
Windsor Castle, Windsor, United Kingdom, Europe
Overview
Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England, towers over the town of Windsor and stands as one of the world’s oldest and largest castles still lived in today.For more than a thousand years, it’s served as a royal home-stone walls echoing with footsteps-and today it remains the official residence of the British monarch.The castle is famous for its striking architecture and deep history, and it’s played a key role in the British monarchy and politics-its stone steps have felt the tread of kings and ministers alike.Here’s a closer look at its history, architecture, and significance: Windsor Castle began taking shape around 1070, when William the Conqueror, fresh from his victory at Hastings, chose the windy ridge above the Thames for his new fortress.At first, it stood as a fortress guarding the western approaches to London, its stone walls rising above a bend in the River Thames.Over the centuries, Windsor Castle transformed from that military stronghold into a home fit for kings and queens.The castle grew into a cherished retreat for England’s monarchs, especially Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who added new wings and restored weathered stone halls.Over the centuries, many rulers have left their mark on its walls and towers.In the 17th century, King Charles II oversaw sweeping upgrades, while Queen Victoria’s 19th-century renovations shaped much of the castle’s look today.Now, Windsor Castle still serves as an official royal residence and hosts grand state banquets, glittering official functions, and royal weddings.Its design blends medieval towers, elegant Georgian symmetry, and richly detailed Victorian flourishes.Over the centuries, its design has shifted, adding sturdy defensive walls alongside warm, lived‑in rooms with low beams and narrow windows.Massive walls ring the castle, their stone cold to the touch, and a deep moat curves around them, offering both strong defense and a striking natural backdrop.The grounds stretch over roughly 13 acres, with every path edged in neat rows of trimmed hedges.The castle’s centerpiece is the Round Tower, a medieval stone giant that soars 200 feet (61 meters) above the grounds.Henry II built it in the 12th century, and today its stone walls still stand out as one of the castle’s most striking sights.The tower holds the royal archives and offers sweeping views of the countryside, where red roofs dot the hills.The State Apartments are among the most magnificent rooms in Windsor Castle, their gilded ceilings and polished floors hosting official functions and royal events.These apartments feature rooms hung with fine art, draped in rich tapestries, and furnished with pieces that echo the style of monarchs from centuries past.You’ll see the Green Drawing Room, the deep red glow of the Crimson Drawing Room, and St. George’s Hall, where officials gather and royal ceremonies unfold beneath its high, gilded ceiling.At the heart of Windsor Castle stands St. George’s Chapel, a 14th-century Gothic masterpiece where sunlight spills through tall, arched windows.It’s the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, the UK’s oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry, where knights still gather beneath its vaulted stone arches.The chapel also holds the tombs of several monarchs-Henry VIII, Charles I, and, most recently, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband-whose stone effigies rest in its cool, dim light.Another highlight of Windsor Castle is Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a tiny but lavish royal home commissioned by Queen Mary, wife of King George V, complete with silver cutlery no bigger than a fingernail.The house is a stunning feat of craftsmanship, with rooms so finely detailed you can see the grain in a tiny wooden chair, the rich furnishings, and even miniature artworks by the era’s celebrated artists.The Privy Garden is a formal, carefully landscaped part of the castle grounds, where trimmed hedges frame gravel paths.Queen Elizabeth II restored it in the 1990s, turning it into a quiet, lovely spot where you can pause, breathe in the scent of old stone, and let its charm deepen the castle’s beauty.Windsor Castle isn’t just a place to live; it stands as a powerful emblem of the British monarchy, its stone walls echoing centuries of history.Royal Ceremonies and State Occasions: The castle hosts some of the nation’s most important events, from glittering state banquets where crystal glasses catch the light to solemn ceremonial gatherings.The venue has hosted many royal weddings, from grand halls draped in white roses to the 2018 ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.At Windsor Castle, one of its most famous sights is the Changing of the Guard, with boots striking the cobblestones in crisp, steady rhythm.This ceremony happens often and plays a big role in shaping the castle’s public image, like the ringing of its great iron bell at dawn.Soldiers in crisp ceremonial uniforms take part in the ceremony, and visitors crowd in to watch the spectacle.At Windsor Castle, you’ll find a major part of the Royal Collection-paintings, jeweled gifts, and centuries-old artifacts that tell the story of Britain’s monarchy and its ties with nations far beyond its walls.You’ll find these treasures scattered through different rooms of the castle, glinting in the dim torchlight.A Working Palace: Unlike most royal homes, Windsor Castle still hums with activity, hosting the royal family for meetings, ceremonies, and the occasional state banquet in its echoing halls.Take Queen Elizabeth II, for instance-she spent many weekends at Windsor, sometimes walking the gardens before holding private audiences and quiet meetings inside.Windsor Castle still serves a few military purposes, with guards in bright red coats standing watch at its gates.The castle is tied to the Household Cavalry, serving as a proud military symbol in the British armed forces, its stone walls echoing centuries of tradition.Once, it served as the Royal Regiment of Windsor’s headquarters, where boots echoed across the stone floors.Windsor Castle ranks among the UK’s top attractions, welcoming millions each year to wander its grand halls and watch the royal guard in their bright red coats.Visitors can wander through the castle’s State Apartments, step quietly into St. George’s Chapel, climb the Round Tower, and stroll across the wide, sunlit grounds.The castle hosts a variety of exhibitions and seasonal events, from art displays in its cool stone halls to lively summer fairs in the courtyard.Still, you might find certain rooms roped off during a royal visit or special event.In 1992, a massive fire tore through Windsor Castle, scorching its walls and leaving smoke curling into the gray November sky-one of the most dramatic moments in its recent history.The fire tore through the State Apartments, gutting several important rooms and reducing treasured artworks to ash.Thanks to a massive restoration effort, the castle regained its former glory-cracked frescoes now glow with fresh color, and worn velvet chairs look as if they’ve never seen a guest.Windsor Castle isn’t just a grand emblem of Britain’s monarchy and past-it’s a living place where the royal family’s story keeps unfolding, as steady as footsteps on its worn stone floors.Windsor Castle, with centuries of stories in its stone walls and towers, is both a royal home and one of Britain’s most important historic landmarks.It holds the traditions, ceremonies, and personal stories of centuries of monarchs, and still stands at the heart of the British royal family’s life, like the echo of footsteps in a long, gilded hall.
