Castles by type
34 entries in the Castles by Type compendium.
Bridge castleA castle built to guard and control a river crossing.BurgstallA castle site with no significant above-ground remains.CastraRoman military camps and forts that shaped empire and city foundations.Cave castleResidential or refuge castle built into a natural cave.Concentric castleA castle with two or more concentric curtain walls for layered defense.Counter-castleMedieval fortifications built to besiege or counter hostile castles.Fortified houseA medieval European residence with significant fortifications.Fortress churchA church complex fortified as a village refuge.GanerbenburgA medieval castle shared by multiple families under joint inheritance.Hillside castleA castle built on a hillside, below the summit.Hilltop castleHilltop castles used steep summits for defense and status.Hill castleHill castles are fortifications built on elevated terrain.Island castleA lowland castle built on an artificial or natural island.JagdschlossHunting lodge for aristocrats in German-speaking lands.Japanese castleFortresses of wood and stone guarding strategic sites.JugendburgMedieval castles repurposed for youth education and community.KasbahA North African fortress or fortified city quarter.L-plan castleL-shaped castle design for defensive covering fire.LandesburgCentral castles of territorial lords for defence and administration.LetziSwiss valley barriers combining hill castles and transverse walls.Linear castleA castle type funneling attackers into a narrow defended front.Lowland castleA castle type built on low ground, relying on water and artificial defenses.LustschlossA private pleasure palace for respite from court duties.Marsh castleA lowland castle using marsh terrain for defense.Motte-and-bailey castleA medieval fortification of mound and courtyard, built with unskilled labour.Qal'aA term for fortress used across the Muslim world.QilaArabic word for fort or castle, used in place-names.Refuge castleTemporary fortified retreat for local populations during attack.RingworkCircular earthwork fortification without a motte.Rock castleMedieval castles built into and shaped by natural rock formations.Spur castleA medieval fortification sited on a hill spur.Toll castleCastles that guarded and controlled customs posts on trade routes.Tower castleA small castle built on natural ground, mainly a fortified tower.Urban castleA castle built within or into a medieval town's fortifications.
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