As November draws to a close, castles around the world continue to reveal new stories—some unearthed from medieval moats, others rising again from fire and ruin. Across Europe and beyond, restoration projects, archaeological breakthroughs, conservation victories, and cultural festivals made headlines this week, showing once more how these ancient structures remain deeply stitched into modern identity and imagination.

Here are the biggest castle-related stories from November 21–27, 2025.

1. Castle Kolno Reveals a Jewel “Worthy of a Duke” (Poland)

Archaeologists from the University of Wrocław captured international attention this week after announcing one of Poland’s most exciting medieval finds of 2025: a silver-gilt amethyst jewel discovered in the moat of Castle Kolno, near Stare Kolnie.

Unlike treasure hoards typically found in sealed deposits or graves, this ornate piece surfaced from waterlogged sediment surrounding timber posts of a medieval bridge—the area leading toward the castle’s ducal customs house. Its recovery suggests accidental loss by someone of very high status between the 13th and 15th centuries.

Initial examination revealed a cone-shaped silver-gilt setting decorated with openwork palmettes and rays, holding a polished amethyst cabochon. Advanced tests—including X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and SEM-EDS—showed fire gilding using mercury, lead-based soldering, and evidence of a fastening pin on the reverse, confirming it was once part of a larger composite brooch.

The jewel’s artistic parallels to elite objects in the Wawel Castle treasury and the famed Środa Śląska hoard underline its aristocratic origins. Beyond its beauty, amethyst was believed in medieval Europe to protect the wearer and signify rank.

Researchers describe the object as a “time capsule” from the cultural world of a border-fortress elite—made more poignant because Castle Kolno was destroyed in the 15th century, leaving little luxury material culture behind.

Sources: ArkeoNews; HeritageDaily.
https://arkeonews.net/a-jewel-worthy-of-a-duke-the-medieval-treasure-unearthed-from-the-moat/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2025/11/jewel-worthy-of-a-duke-unearthed-at-castle-kolno/156459

2. Shuri Castle Advances Its Restoration and Celebrates with a Cultural Festival (Japan)

Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa—heart of the former Ryukyu Kingdom and a symbol of regional identity—reached a major milestone this month as large portions of its main hall exterior were revealed following their reconstruction. The structures, destroyed in the devastating 2019 fire, have reclaimed their brilliant vermilion hues, echoing their appearance before the blaze.

The restoration combines historical authenticity with modern safety enhancements. Artisans employ traditional joinery, carefully selected timber, and historically informed pigments drawn from archival records and archaeological studies. At the same time, fireproofing systems and modern safeguarding technologies are being discreetly integrated to prevent another catastrophe.

Alongside construction progress, Naha hosted the Shuri Castle Restoration Festival, a three-day program that brought the landmark’s cultural legacy to life. Reenactors portraying the Ryukyuan king and queen led processions; Kumiodori performers staged classical dances; and visitors enjoyed guided behind-the-scenes tours of the reconstruction site. Virtual reality previews offered a glimpse of the completed palace complex.

Authorities expect the restored core to fully reopen in autumn 2026. Until then, the castle stands as a powerful symbol of cultural perseverance and communal pride.

Source: Sakuraco cultural feature.
https://sakura.co/blog/shuri-castle-receives-partial-restoration-in-2025

3. Orava Castle Begins €4.5 Million Renovation with New Visitor Routes (Slovakia)

One of Slovakia’s most dramatic fortress complexes—Orava Castle—is entering its most ambitious redevelopment phase in decades. Backed by roughly €4.5 million in European Regional Development Fund support, the project aims to conserve the monument and open new castle areas to the public.

Work will continue through 2028 and includes:

• Restoring long-closed defensive walls and gateways
• Creating a new panoramic walking circuit along the fortifications
• Opening additional interior rooms for exhibitions
• Improving accessibility and visitor safety
• Updating lighting and interpretive infrastructure

The shift from a traditional linear museum visit to a more exploratory circuit is meant to help visitors better understand the fortress’s multilayered defensive design, perched high above the Orava River.

Local officials stress the project’s role in enhancing sustainable tourism and strengthening the wider cross-border cooperation program between Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Source: Travel and Tour World.
https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/slovakias-orava-castle-set-for-major-renovation-and-new-exhibitions-in-e4-5-million-project/

4. Aftermath of the Hampden “Castle” Fire Still Felt Across Baltimore (USA)

Baltimore’s historic Keswick Road “Castle”—a distinctive 19th-century stone building long used by community nonprofits—remained in the spotlight this week as the aftermath of its November 10 fire became clearer.

The blaze gutted the upper floors, collapsed parts of the roof, and destroyed decades of archival materials belonging to the Community Law Center (CLC), one of the building’s principal occupants. Staff have temporarily relocated and continue to appeal for community support while they rebuild operations.

Local heritage groups highlighted the Hampden Castle in their lists of at-risk historic properties, noting the broader pattern of aging urban structures becoming increasingly vulnerable to fire damage and deferred maintenance.

Neighborhood leaders emphasized the building’s sentimental value—its “castle-like” crenellations and turrets made it a beloved architectural oddity. Many are advocating for stabilization and preservation rather than demolition, though decisions remain pending as structural assessments continue.

Sources: Community Law Center; WYPR News.
https://communitylaw.org/hampden-fire/
https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2025-11-11/nonprofit-picking-up-the-pieces-after-hampdens-historic-castle-building-fire

5. Durham Castle & Cathedral Launch 10-Year World Heritage Management Plan (UK)

As Durham approaches the 40th anniversary of its World Heritage inscription, the castle and cathedral complex—one of Europe’s finest Norman ensembles—has unveiled a comprehensive management plan running through 2035.

Developed jointly by Durham University, Durham Cathedral, and local authorities, the plan outlines:

• Climate resilience strategies for stonework, roofs, and manuscripts
• Improved accessibility across the steep peninsula
• Restoration of the cathedral’s historic bells
• Enhancement of public green spaces, including the Fellows’ Garden
• Strengthened coordination between student-residential, liturgical, and heritage functions

Public consultation began in late November, inviting residents, students, and heritage professionals to shape the long-term vision.

The plan represents a holistic approach to stewardship—safeguarding the Romanesque complex, improving visitor management, and ensuring research access to one of Britain’s most important medieval archives.

Source: Palatinate.
https://www.palatinate.org.uk/new-conservation-plan-announced-for-durham-castle-and-cathedral/

6. Dunollie Castle Receives £12,000 Conservation Grant (Scotland)

Dunollie Castle, overlooking Oban Bay, gained attention this week with the announcement of a £12,000 conservation grant from the Pilgrim Trust. The funding will support stabilization efforts at the 13th-century ruin—ancestral seat of Clan MacDougall.

Key work includes:

• Stonework consolidation
• Vegetation clearance to prevent root damage
• Enhanced visitor interpretation
• Safety improvements around the tower house

Local enthusiasm was strong, with heritage groups praising the Dunollie Preservation Trust’s volunteer-led stewardship. For many in Argyll, the castle preserves crucial cultural memory, from medieval clan power struggles to living Highland storytelling traditions.

Source: Official Dunollie Castle announcement (Instagram, Nov 25, 2025).
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRe64hrCBMD/

7. Edinburgh Castle’s “Fire and Ice” Lights Up the Skyline (Scotland)

The launch of Castle of Light: Fire and Ice on November 21 drew enthusiastic crowds and widespread media coverage, confirming its reputation as the UK’s largest annual projection-mapping event.

The 2025 edition features:

• A redesigned fire-and-ice narrative exploring 900 years of castle history
• Immersive soundscapes and large-scale projections across ramparts and interiors
• A winter market on select evenings
• Family-friendly routes and VIP upgrades
• New atmospheric “icy” pathways across the esplanade

Social media buzzed with images of fiery battlements and digitally conjured frost creatures dancing across the walls. Minor technical issues during opening weekend—brief projection alignment glitches—were quickly resolved by organizers.

The event, running through early January 2026, is a cornerstone of Edinburgh’s winter tourism calendar alongside the city’s iconic Christmas markets.

Sources: Skiddle; VisitScotland; event social media.
https://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Castle-of-Light-Fire-and-Ice-returns-to-Edinburgh-Castle-this-winter/60818/
https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/events/christmas-winter-festivals/edinburgh
https://www.janetredlertravelandtourism.co.uk/news/castle-light-ignites-scotlands-spirit/

💰 Castle Market Highlights (Nov 21–Nov 27, 2025)

A lighter week for high-profile listings, but three properties stood out:

Scottish Baronial Mansion Near Inverness Hits Market
A late-Victorian baronial estate with turrets, a grand hall, and Highland views was listed just below £2.5 million.
Source: Mansion Global
https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/baronial-scottish-manor-house-lists-for-less-than-a-new-york-city-apartment-01661542164

Closing Thoughts: A Global Heritage Still Alive

From Poland’s jewel-filled moat to Okinawa’s rising palace, from the preservation of Scottish clan strongholds to Edinburgh's Castle of Light, this week underscored one truth: castles are not relics. They are ongoing stories—shaped by communities, threatened by disaster, revived by craftsmanship, and rediscovered through archaeology.

Whether illuminated in Edinburgh’s winter glow or safeguarded by conservation grants on the shores of Oban, these monuments continue to bridge past and present. And their stories, week after week, reveal how history remains powerfully alive.