Castles are from mythical stories and fairy tales, right? They’re reserved for royalty or those who have the audacity to build a pretentious building on their private land. Untrue, on both counts. Some of the world’s oldest and finest castles, while rich in history, are now bought and sold in much the same manner as any other piece of real estate. If you’re in the market for a unique living experience, and have a few extra dollars or a generous mortgage company, a castle might be the perfect environment for you, your family, and the guests you’re sure to have. Here are a few of our favorites, currently listed for sale around the world!

Villa Castiglione – Capri, Italy

In Capri, Italy lies the amazing Villa Castiglione. The 10,000 square foot castle takes up less than 3 percent of the land it sits on and is situated in just the right place to provide an astounding view of the Faraglioni di Capri.

The seven bedroom castle is complete with a lavish living room, a spacious kitchen, a pool, and separate utility and laundry rooms. The castle can be reached by helicopter if you’re traveling from a distance and those local to Italy can reach it by private car.

Approximate asking price: $38,000,000.

Singer Castle – Alexandria, New York

The Singer Castle, otherwise known as the Jorstadt Castle, was originally built by an American architect known as Ernest Flagg for Gilbert Bourne who was, at the time, the president of what is now the Singer Corporation. The castle was built at the turn of the 20th century on Dark Island in Alexandria, New York, not far from the Canadian border. After the death of the Bournes, the castle passed hands as was later sold to the Dark Island Tour group who opened it to the public for tours – the first time ever that it had not been held as a private residence. The castle itself has 28 rooms, a beautiful stone staircase, and a historic castle dungeon. The island is complete with a boathouse and a picturesque beach.

Approximate asking price: $24,500,000.

Loire Valley, France

The castle in the Loire Valley of France was built more than 500 years ago to house what was then the royal family. The simple castle was destroyed and rebuilt in the earlier parts of the 19th century and included more modern towers. The castle is over 17,000 square feet, including a private chapel and a luxurious grand reception hall. The most unique feature of the castle is the hallway made entirely of stained glass. The grounds include an incredible lake (22 acres large alone) and a man-made pool.

Approximate asking price: $11,600,000

Seton Castle – Longniddry, Scotland

Deep in the heart of Scotland lies Longniddry, home to one of the oldest castles in the country. The castle was purchased by William Mackenzie at the end of the 18th century. He then hired Robert Adam to destroy the remains of the castle and replace it with a stone recreation which was then called Seton Castle. In the early 2000?s, Seton Castle burnt to the ground but was later restored by David and Mary McMillan.

They restored the castle to appear as it originally had in both architecture and color, but remodeled it as a fully functional family home. The amenities are, of course, modernized as well and the property now has a breathtaking parterre garden including over 3,000 white tulips, amongst other incredible plants. The castle itself is rich in history. Mary Queen of Scots spent her last free night there before the Battle of Carberry Hill. Later, the castle was the home of the Earls of Winton. This marvelous home is welcoming and friendly, both inside and out.

Approximate asking price: $9,400,000

Kip’s Castle – Montclair, NJ

Montclair, located in the northern section of the state of New Jersey is known as a college town, but is rarely referred to as the home of an old castle. After fighting through hours of New Jersey/New York Traffic, you’ll come across the 9,100 square foot castle. It was originally built in the early 1900’s on a ridge of the Watchung Mountains. The meticulously chosen property provides a breathtaking view of New York City while the 30-room castle itself remains largely unchanged. The architecture itself remains the same, while the internal workings have been modernized. The castle was a private residence until the 1980’s when it was converted to a commercial property now commonly leased out as office space.

Approximate asking price: $8,200,000

These castles are just the beginning. These amazing pieces of architecture have withstood the test of time and are still standing, waiting for the perfect new owner. Why invest in a simple home when you can own a castle?

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