Travel Snapshots- Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England

Windsor castle is a royal residence of the British Royal family. It is located in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. Windsor Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in the decade after the Norman conquest of 1066.

I had a great time visiting this castle with a friend. It was nice seeing wonderful architecture like this.

Architecture

Windsor Castle occupies a large site of more than thirteen acres (five hectares), and combines the features of a fortification, a palace, and a small town. The present-day castle was created during a sequence of phased building projects, culminating in the reconstruction work after a fire in 1992. It is in essence a Georgian and Victorian design based on a medieval structure, with Gothic features reinvented in a modern style. Since the 14th century, architecture at the castle has attempted to produce a contemporary reinterpretation of older fashions and traditions, repeatedly imitating outmoded or even antiquated styles. As a result, architect Sir William Whitfield has pointed to Windsor Castle's architecture as having "a certain fictive quality", the Picturesque and Gothic design generating "a sense that a theatrical performance is being put on here", despite late 20th century efforts to expose more of the older structures to increase the sense of authenticity. Although there has been some criticism, the castle's architecture and history lends it a "place amongst the greatest European palaces". windsor

The Round Tower on top of the motte in the Middle Ward..taken during my visit with a friend last November 2008.

taken from outside of the castle compound. We had a walk inside the castle buildings during our visit. Sad to day, it is forbidden to take photos inside the castle rooms.