Around the world, castles are some of the most scenic, beautiful sights that exist. Many of these majestic fortresses have famously inspired writers, painters and filmmakers. William Shakespeare used the Kronborg Castle as the setting for his play 'Hamlet' and, according to Lonely Planet, poet Goethe found . Unfortunately for Goethe though, the drawing got him mistaken for a spy and temporarily imprisoned. Meanwhile several other castles are rumored to have inspired Walt Disney’s animated fairy-tale films, including the French ), the Alcazar of Segovia castle in Spain (Cinderella),and the ).

(MORE: )

Throughout the centuries, castles were built for protection, designed to withstand invading armies. As a result, many were built on high hills, like and the , or at other strategic places, such as along a river estuary. “Castles were planted in the best place to control road and river routes,” Marc Morris, historian and presenter of the UK television series Castle, told weather.com in a previous interview.

Being built to withstand war did, although not indefinitely without some maintenance. survived two world wars without destruction, but the , requiring that the foundation area be monitored regularly and that the rock walls routinely secured. Other castles have been harmed by natural disasters, including the Matsumoto Castle in Japan, whose .

(MORE: )

So from Denmark to Syria, England to Japan, here are 50 of the most impressive castles around the world that you need to visit.

(For More Travel,)