Top 5 Castles to Visit in Europe
Top 5 Castles to Visit in Europe
https://student.grablingo.com/materials_units/1879
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
invade
Verb
ɪnˈveɪd
to try to take control of a territory by force
The United States invaded Iraq in 2003.
inspiration
Noun
ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃən
the process of being encouraged to do or achieve something
Music is a source of great inspiration in many people's lives.
medieval
Adjective
ˌmiːdˈiːvl
relating to the period of history between 400 AD and 1450 AD
Medieval knights wore heavy armor.
drape
Verb
dreɪp
to cover with something
He draped his coat over the chair.
exception
Noun
ɪkˈsɛpʃən
something that does not follow a certain rule or pattern
She likes all kinds of fruit, with the exception of bananas.
tapestry
Noun
ˈtæpɪstri
woven cloths that feature detailed designs and are hung from walls as decoration
The Great Hall was lined with tapestries.
myth
Noun
mɪθ
an old story, usually featuring gods, demons, and other imaginary creatures
The myth of Medusa is about a woman who turned men into stone.
spooky
Adjective
ˈspuːkiː
ghostly or eerie in a way that causes fear
Foggy nights are sometimes spooky.
Exercise 2
Article
Top 5 Castles to Visit in Europe
In 1066, William of Normandy invaded England. After defeating the British at the Battle of Hastings, he started building castles around the island so that he could stay in power. From then on, castles began popping up all over Europe.
If you plan to head to Europe anytime soon, be sure to check out some of these impressive castles.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle – Germany
Sitting atop a hill surrounded by snowy mountains is one of the most famous castles in the world. Built by Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1886, it is visited by 1.3 million people every year. It was used as inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
2. Hohenwerfen Castle – Austria
This castle overlooks the medieval towns of Werfen and Salzach that lie in the valley below. It has witnessed many battles since it was first constructed in 1075. This castle is stunning in winter, when the castle and the pine forests that surround it are draped in snow.
3. The Alcazar Castle – Spain
If you’ve ever been to a European city that still has castles or old city walls, you’ll know how beautiful they look at night when they're lit up. This castle is no exception. Make sure you go inside and check out the museum to see medieval art, tapestries, and suits of armor.
4. Mont Saint-Michel – France
At high tide, this castle appears to rise out of the sea like a volcano. It sits on top of a tidal island, which means you can only get to it on foot at low tide (though a bridge was built in 2014 to allow access at all times). For this reason, it was very easy to defend from attack.
5. Bran Castle – Romania
If you’re interested in the dark and mysterious side of history, look no further than Bran Castle. It’s often referred to as Dracula’s Castle because it is linked to the myth of Dracula, the world's most famous vampire. For those who like spooky places, visit this castle on a rainy, moonless night in winter.
Exercise 3
Questions
Who built the Neuschwanstein Castle?
Which of the castles is located on a tidal island?
How many people visit the Neuschwanstein Castle each year?
Which castle should people who like spooky places visit?
Exercise 4
Discussion
Which of the castles featured in the article would you most like to visit? Why?
Which of the countries listed in the article would you most like to visit? Why?
Does visiting a castle at night, so that you can see the walls being lit up, sound appealing to you? Why? Why not?
Are you interested in medieval history? Why? Why not?
Are there any castles in your country? If so, please describe one that you know of.
Exercise 5
Further Discussion
What other ancient structures do you hope to visit one day? Why?
What is your favorite period of history? Why?
Are there many old buildings in your town or city? If so, please describe some of them.
Are there any spooky myths in your culture? If so, please share an example that you know of.
Does your city or town have a long and rich history? Please explain your answer.
