From royal restorations and record-breaking property listings to archaeological finds that rewrite history, the world of castles was buzzing this week.
Across continents, ancient walls revealed new secrets, modern projects revived old glories, and a few dream estates quietly appeared on the market.
This edition of Castles Weekly (Oct 31 – Nov 6, 2025) captures the stories that stirred castle enthusiasts, historians, and travelers alike — proving that even in an age of digital life, the past still finds ways to surprise us.
1. Gyrn Castle (Wales) Hits the Market for the First Time in 150 Years
One of Wales’s great hidden country houses has quietly entered the property market.
The 17th-century Gyrn Castle, near Holywell in North Wales, has been listed for the first time since the 1870s with a guide price of £2 million.
Encircled by 67 acres of ancient woodland, its Gothic-revival façade and terraced gardens overlook the Dee Estuary, offering sweeping views to Snowdonia.
Inside, the castle balances Georgian elegance with later Victorian detailing — high ceilings, carved fireplaces, and vast sash windows — while outbuildings and walled gardens hint at centuries of self-sufficient estate life.
Estate agents describe the listing as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire an unspoiled Welsh landmark.”
Source: Country Life
2. Grand-Ducal Palace in Luxembourg Begins Major Restoration
In the heart of Luxembourg City, scaffolding now wraps the Grand-Ducal Palace, official residence of the Grand Duke, as a long-planned modernization and conservation program gets underway.
The €multi-million project — the most comprehensive since the 1960s — will repair the sandstone façade, restore 16th-century interiors, and introduce energy-efficient systems to meet modern sustainability standards.
During the works, ceremonial functions will temporarily relocate to Berg Castle.
Officials confirmed the palace will remain partly accessible for guided heritage visits, underscoring Luxembourg’s commitment to transparency and cultural preservation even amid renovation.
Source: RTL Today
3. Forbidden City Opens a Landmark Archaeology Exhibition
Beijing’s Forbidden City, one of the world’s most visited royal complexes, unveiled its most ambitious exhibition in a decade:
“Unearthed Treasures – Archaeology of the Imperial City.”
More than 500 artifacts excavated from within the palace precinct — including Ming-dynasty roof tiles, carved jade ornaments, lacquerware, and imperial building tools — are now displayed in the Meridian Gate galleries.
The exhibition highlights how new archaeological digs inside the Forbidden City continue to rewrite what is known about court life, urban planning, and artistry across the Ming and Qing eras.
The Palace Museum framed it as “archaeology in motion” — transforming the Forbidden City from a preserved monument into a living laboratory of discovery.
Source: The China Journey
4. “Castle of Light: Fire and Ice” Returns to Edinburgh Castle
As winter descends on the Scottish capital, Edinburgh Castle prepares to sparkle once again with the annual “Castle of Light” festival — this year themed “Fire and Ice.”
From November 22 to January 5, visitors will wander through illuminated courtyards and ramparts where projection mapping, orchestral soundscapes, and pyrotechnic effects merge to tell stories of Scottish legends and elemental power.
A special St Andrew’s Day offer encourages locals to revisit their national icon.
Since its launch in 2019, Castle of Light has become a highlight of Scotland’s cultural calendar — proving that centuries-old fortresses can still reinvent themselves as dazzling public art.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
5. Ancient Jewels Unearthed near Golubac Fortress, Serbia
Archaeologists working near Golubac Fortress, perched dramatically over the Danube, uncovered a treasure trove of medieval jewelry believed to date to the 14th century.
Finds include gold earrings, enameled pendants, glass beads, and a decorated dagger thought to have belonged to a noblewoman from the fortress’s court.
Experts say the pieces reflect the fusion of Balkan and Byzantine influences, illuminating the cultural crossroads that defined medieval Serbia.
The artifacts will undergo conservation in Belgrade before returning to Golubac Fortress for permanent display — a discovery expected to boost the site’s already thriving tourism.
Source: BBC News
6. Castle Economics: The Real Cost of Buying Your Own Fortress
With Halloween sparking curiosity about haunted estates and fantasy homes, analysts broke down what it truly costs to buy and maintain a castle in the UK.
While small Scottish towers might sell for £500,000, upkeep averages £150,000 per year once heating, roof work, and insurance are tallied.
The piece points out that castles under £2 million are often projects rather than turnkey homes — yet interest from overseas buyers remains strong, driven by social-media fascination with “owning history.”
Source: London Loves Property
💰 Castle Market Highlights: Trends Behind the Headlines
The castle property scene remains vibrant worldwide, with listings spanning every budget and continent.
Highlights this week:
| Castle / Property | Location | Price | Key Feature | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gyrn Castle | Wales | £2 million | First sale in 150 years; 67 acres woodland | Country Life |
| Orchil Castle | Scotland | £2.1 million | Victorian baronial, near Gleneagles | The Scotsman |
| Couston Castle | Fife, Scotland | £2.65 million | Restored 16th-century tower | Castleist |
| Château de la Roche | France | €1.9 million | Loire riverside, event venue potential | JamesEdition |
| Tovrea Castle | Phoenix, USA | N/A (public) | Historic landmark reopens for guided tours | City of Phoenix |
While European estates dominate the listings, American sites like Tovrea Castle in Arizona draw growing interest for adaptive reuse — bridging historic preservation and tourism development.
⚜️ Reflections on the Week: When Past and Present Collide
As this week’s stories show, castles aren’t relics frozen in time — they’re living witnesses evolving with each discovery, restoration, and reinvention.
Whether illuminated in Scotland’s night sky, rediscovered beneath Irish soil, or polished anew in Okinawa and Luxembourg, each fortress reminds us why these places endure: they hold both memory and motion.
Next week promises more tales from stone and crown — new excavations, fresh restorations, and maybe another fairytale estate waiting for its next chapter.
Until then, keep exploring the world through its castles — where every tower tells a story.
