These castles were once magnificent and today are in ruins.

Castles, whether medieval or more modern, are spectacular constructions for their visitors. Their towers, walls and battlements make them a magical place to travel back in time. However, many of them, either because of the way history has evolved or because they have been abandoned by their owners, are in a state of ruin.

These nine are some of them collected by the German website Travel Reporterwhich are not recommended to be visited unless with a guide or through a previously arranged route:

1. Dwasieden Castle on Rügen (Germany)

Located on this German island in the Baltic, this castle, according to the German website, was used as a naval artillery school until the arrival of the Red Army. It was blown up in 1948 by the Soviet army and only its stables remained, which suffered a fire in 1997. As indicated on the website, only “remains of the temple-like pavilions and the ruins of the princely horse stable” remain.

2. Vitzenburg Castle in Saxony-Anhalt (Germany)

This castle, dating from the 8th century, was used as a convent for nuns, then as a monastery for Benedictine monks. After this, it passed into the hands of various noble families in the area and was taken by the Soviet Army in World War II. It was then converted into a home for children and young people, then for agriculture and until its closure in 1996 as a psychiatric centre for children and adolescents.

3. Vlajkovac Castle in Serbia

Built by Count Djerdj Močonji in 1859 as a dowry after his daughter’s marriage to a nobleman from the Austro-Hungarian Bissingen-Nippenburg family, it remained in the family’s possession until World War II, when it was used by the Soviets as a children’s home and then as a farm property until 1953.

4. Butrón Castle in Bizkaia (Spain)

Located in Gatika (Bizkaia) and surrounded by a nearly century-old forest, this castle dates back to the 14th century and belonged to the noble family of Butrón. As indicated in Turismovasco.comis located on the Anteiglesia of Gatika where Captain Gaminiz built a medieval tower in the 11th century. Later, in the 14th century, this tower was transformed into a castle. “After the fights between factions, the castle was abandoned until it was in a state of ruin. In the 19th century, its medieval appearance was altered to convert this structure to make it similar to the castles of Bavaria,” they recall on the website.

5. Villa Sbertoli in Tuscany (Italy)

Built by Augustin Sbertoli in the 19th century, this villa was converted into a psychiatric hospital, initially to treat his own sick son. Between 1941 and 1989, the art collection inside was looted by several visitors, which led to it being walled up ever since.

Since 2015, the gardens and pond, the Wildhaus public park, have been maintained by the Selnica Tourist Association.

6. Castillo Wildhaus en Slovenia

This castle, located in the Drau area, built in the 16th century served as a toll station and commercial centre, but during World War II it was converted by the Soviet army into a women’s prison.

During the Yugoslav government it was first used as a military hospital, then as accommodation for pilots and finally as a nursing home until 1989, when it has been abandoned.

7. Borght Castle and Belgium

Built in the 15th century, it was not until 1860 that it acquired its current appearance, on a hill and with a moat in the purest medieval style. It is for sale for around 2.5 million euros, although the owner is unknown.

8. Lapalice Castle in Poland

Built in the 1980s by Polish architect Piotr Kazimierczak, it has 6,000 square meters, with 52 rooms, a ballroom and a swimming pool among them. However, during the construction process it was discovered that he violated the urban planning law that only allowed him to build 1,000 square meters, so its construction was stopped. To this day, it has become a tourist attraction for curious people.

9. Lowther Castle in England

This British country house in Cumbria has been in the Lowther family since the Middle Ages, in later years known as the Earls of Lonsdale. It was built in the early 18th century by the first Bicount Lowther and was occupied by the family until the early 20th century. In 1939 the castle was requisitioned for World War II and used for tank development and returned to the family in 1954.

However, the family could not afford to use or maintain it, and offered to donate it to the National Trust and other institutions, but no takers were found. Since 2011, the castle’s shell and gardens have been open to the public.