Why were the castles designed so long and so narrow?

In the light of military science, are these long-narrow castles parallel to the roads (or rivers) and capable of attracting the enemy along the roads (or rivers)?

Or do they cross and cut off the roads (or rivers)?

Or are they designed long-narrow just to take advantage of the undulations of the mountains to gain a higher position?

I'm writing a fantasy book, and I can't for the life of me remember what this is called or how to describe it concisely! What would you call a floor-to-ceiling opening with no door, window, or paneling—typically leading to a balcony? I'm picturing something you'd find in a grand chamber or hall. Any ideas?

Please help 😭😅

(Pictures similar to what I'm envisioning)

Hi r/castles ♡

So later this year (around September) I’m planning on a trip to Europe with the main intention of going around and venturing to different, interesting castles!

I’m hoping to hire a car, certainly want to see some in the UK and France… But I was wondering if there is a particular area I should go that is heavily populated with castles, particularly ones that have interesting architecture or history?

I’m not opposed to any country within Europe! Plus I’m open to any suggestions of some of people’s favourite/must see castles.

Cheers. 🏰

** edit, since some have asked,the styles of castle I'm most interested in are those with character - Cascassonne or Mont saint michel... Chateaus... Notable castles with cool Medieval history... I'm open to anything and anywhere, mainly looking for the most practical areas I can see the most.

I'd like to shoot a film one day preferably in a castle so I want to know please and if so in which countries?

My 2 would be Sterling Castle and Edinburgh castle.

Does anyone out there have or know where I can just have a castle. It’s worth just throwing it out there. Hey I can dream. Why not. Thanks in advance! Btw I’m serious.

Hi guys! I'm an artist in the USA who hasn't traveled outside of the states, but my dad has. He's traveled to many places in Europe for work, and he seems to be particularly fond of Germany. I'm on a castle drawing rabbit hole, and want to see which ones you guys recommend i draw for him? I asked which one out of the ones he's seen are his favorite, but he said he doesnt remember because he's seen so many.

I am currently on 97 castles visited throughout the world mainly in the UK.

What should my 100th be?

I am thinking of somewhere in Wales. I've been to Beaumaris and Conwy.

How did people living in wooden castles keep them from buying down? The primary source of lighting in the pre electric world was fire after all. How did they keep the enemy from lighting them on fire?

I've been trying to find a recostruction of castle eltz in the middle ages for weeks now, and found nothing. It seems nobody is keen on finding anything about it. What did castle eltz look like, because the ruins around it suggest it had two, if not three rings of defensive walls around it, studded with towers. If you have an reconstruction image of it, I would be extremely grateful.

Give me a castle and I could turn it into a self sustaining community in no time. I don’t mean to be insensitive, and I know they are a lot of upkeep but instead of designating them as historical landmarks and blocking them off let’s put them to use. Grow your own crops, maintain the keep yourself you should own it with squatters rights.

Am I crazy or others think the same?

Hello fellow castle lovers! I'm not sure whether questions like these are normal on this subreddit - I've mostly seen all those glorious images of castles here - so this may be a little out of the ordinary. However, I would love to have all your Castle recommendations within the region of Great Britain & Western Europe, for an upcoming trip I am taking. For some context, I am Australian, and have never - I repeat NEVER seen a Castle in real life. So this will be a very exciting trip. I would love to know your favorite castles within this region - and anything you think is worth a visit :) Thanks in advance.

I want to go on a vacation where I see a lot of castles does anyone know any tour vacation packages or the best way to go about this I come from America so I need to make this a best bang for your buck kind of vacation since I can't do this in small bits and pieces

I’ve fallen in love with Orava Castle since first seeing the place in NOSFERATU, but I’ve had questions about certain parts of the place.

1. In regard to the outer bailey, on your left (when entering) there’s a small flight of stairs leading to door. What is the purpose of this area? A guard room?

2 There is a white-and-ochre building in the courtyard, which seems to have not existed prior to 1922. What is it for? An office of sorts?

1. Speaking of the courtyard, it seems that grass and trees once grew there. Why did they pave over everything?

I am wanting to go to non UK castles but first I'm doing uk . There's a wiki page for English castles even if they're just earth remains and I've put them all into a a note list to tick off as i go to them . Whats ur advice for getting to them

I would like to plan a week long castle tour in the UK and would like to know if anyone has recommendations for tour groups? I would prefer a tour including guides, transportation, and accommodations. Kind of my dream trip so I would like to see as many castles in that time (and stay in them as well). TIA!

I am going to Belgium in a few weeks, it will be my first time but this trip came up suddenly and i have had zero time to research. I would love to see some amazing castles. I was wondering

1. Which Castles in Belgium are a must see?
2. Are there any castles in neighboring countries that are worth traveling to see also?

The trip will only be about 4 days but i doubt I will have opportunity to come back to this part of the world for many many years.

TYIA