Precious Jewels set in the green carpet of the countryside or atop an unassailable rock, the castles of the world - with their extravagant architecture, enormous parks, richly furnished rooms, turbulent histories and aura of legend and mystery - are still landmarks of geography and the collective imagination. Castles tell the history of lands that throughout the centuries have been ravaged by war. From the first defensive towers made from bare stone to the residences from the end of the last century, packed with paintings and precious furniture, the road has been long. For their defence or conquest, men have fought and died. For their beauty, artists and architects have been called up. For their fortune, they have knit fragile links between the most powerful families. Kings and princes, courtlers and queens, dukes and favourites have inhabited their magnificent rooms: ghosts that live on in memory still seem to descend the wide, marble staircases, plot vendettas in the darkness of secret studies, or dance to the light notes of lutes before the immense fireplaces of vast salons.
Leafing through the pages of this book, dwelling on the superb photographs and exhaustive descriptions, is like making a journey to all the most important and fascinating castles of the world, beyond the walls of these ancient buildings, down narrow spiral stairs. Contains engaging text;and stunning interior and exterior photography.
- ISBN10 8854400971
- ISBN13 9788854400979
- Publish Date 1 December 2005
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 1 October 2008
- Publish Country IT
- Imprint White Star
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 304
- Language English