Location, Location, Location Trivia Quiz

Answer: Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Castle)

Built between 1785 to 1863, Chapultepec Castle stands atop Chapultepec Hill in Mexico City. In the Aztec Náhuatl language, the name of the castle translates to 'castle of grasshoppers', though thankfully the castle isn't overrun with the insects. Originally commissioned by Viceroy Bernardo de Gálvez, Chapultepec Castle has been used as a military academy, a presidential residence, and more recently, as the home to Mexico's National Museum of History. Film buffs may recognise the castle from the film 'Romeo + Juliet', which was used as the home of the Capulet family.

Answer: Schloss Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle)

King Ludwig II, better known as 'Mad King Ludwig', had a certain love for fancy, elaborate castles, and Neuschwanstein is certainly one of them. Construction began on Neuschwanstein Castle in 1869 under his direction, and Ludwig lived in the castle, even while it was still being built.

When he died in 1886, the construction of the building was complete, although there were a few things left unfinished. Many murals and rooms in the castle are a tribute to Ludwig's favourite composer, Richard Wagner. Neuschwanstein Castle is one of Germany's most iconic and popular tourist attractions, attracting well over a million tourists annually.

It has also been used in films, particularly in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' as the home of the Baron and Baroness Bomburst. Additionally, the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland is modelled after Nesuchwanstein Castle. Hardly surprising, considering this castle was the product of Ludwig's creative imagination.

Answer: Bam Citadel (Arg-é Bam)

Arg-é Bam was, until 2003, the largest building in the world constructed of adobe (sun-dried clay) bricks. Constructed as early as 500 BC, the Bam Citadel comprises a central fortress and an expanse of smaller houses and structures. In 2003, an earthquake with a magnitude of approximately 6.6 hit the Kerman province in Iran, causing over 25,000 deaths.

The Bam Citadel, unfortunately, was hit as well by the earthquake and was left in ruins. However, it was announced soon afterwards that it was to be rebuilt, using the same adobe brick methods as the original.

The Arg-é Rayen, located in the same province, is also an adobe structure.

Answer: Segovia Castle (Alcázar de Segovia)

Before Christianity returned to Spain, Segovia Castle (although not named this until much later) was used as a fort by Arabs in the early 12th century, although there is evidence that it was once inhabited, or at least used, by Romans. Though the castle has been modified and reconstructed over the years, its history is rich in Spain. Monarchs such as Isabella I, Philip II, and Charles III have lived in the castle and made their own alterations to it. One of the most distinctive features of the Alcázar is the Tower of John II which rises high above the castle and overlooks the hills below. Nowadays, the castle is a hotspot for tourists, and is ranked amongst the most popular tourist destinations in Spain.

Answer: Windsor Castle

After the Norman conquest of England in 1066, William the Conqueror began construction on Windsor Castle as a fortification. Originally, the castle was constructed of wood, but during the reigns of Henry I and, subsequently, Henry II, during the 12th century, the old wooden fortifications were replaced with stone to reinforce the structure. Aside from being a royal residence, Windsor Castle has served as parliamentary headquarters during the Civil War, has been heavily sieged during the First Barons' War from 1215-1217, and, more recently, was devastated by a fire in 1992 that damaged the Upper Ward of the castle, principally containing the State Apartments.

It was five years before the damage was repaired. Presently, Windsor Castle is open to the public and contains a part of the Royal Collection, which attracts a huge number of tourists annually.

Answer: Prague Castle (Prazský hrad)

Prague Castle, one of the largest castles in the world, dates back to the 9th century, when the first parts of the castle were built. Among the first buildings that were constructed were the Saint Vitus Cathedral and the Basilica of Saint George, which still stand today and are an important part of the Czech national history.

When Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the new government offices moved to Prague Castle, and became the seat of the new president. The castle is one of the most popular landmarks in Prague, and most areas of the castle are open to the public.

Answer: Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles)

Château de Versailles has been influential in French history over the centuries. It has housed various kings and queens, particularly Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, who were forced to relocate to Tuileries Palace in Paris during the French Revolution. Obviously, those particular royals never returned to Versailles, and over the years, the château fell into disrepair. Fortunately, restoration on the palace took place in the late 18th/early 19th centuries, and became the new seat of power for the French government.

In 1919, the famous Treaty of Versailles was signed in the palace, officially bringing World War One to an end. In 1979, the Palace and Park of Versailles was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Answer: Himeji Castle (姫路城)

Architecturally, Himeji Castle is spectacular. Its sweeping roofs and layered design has been likened to a heron spreading its wings, attributing to the castle's alternative name: White Heron Castle. Construction on the castle started in 1333 on top of Himeyama Hill (which the castle was originally named for), and was slowly expanded over the next three centuries.

Despite an earthquake in 1995, and the bombing of the city of Himeji during World War II, Himeji Castle has miraculously remained structurally intact.

The Japanese regard the castle as a national treasure, and is consistently one of the top tourist attractions in Japan.

Answer: Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle started out, in the 10th century, as a wooden lodge, but it was replaced by a stone structure in the early 12th century. The castle has been destroyed and rebuilt a few times since then, and now remains in a state of partial ruin. Despite this, it is still a popular tourist attraction, mainly due to the famed Blarney Stone.

It is said that kissing the stone will grant a person the gift of eloquence. The grounds surrounding the castle are also open to the public, including the nearby Blarney House, which was constructed in 1874.

Answer: Edinburgh Castle

With a rich royal and military history, Edinburgh Castle stands atop Castle Rock, and has overlooked the capital city of Scotland since the 12th century. During the Scottish independence wars and the rise of the Jacobites, Edinburgh Castle was used as a fortress, and was where the country's military was based. Edinburgh Castle houses the One O'Clock Gun, a cannon that is fired every day at exactly one o'clock in the afternoon.

The famed Edinburgh Tattoo also takes place at the castle every year, in the Castle Esplanade.

The National War Museum is situated here, allowing tourists to discover Scotland's rich heritage.