The Peterhof Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia

Via / Image Source unknown.. Other sources here

More beautiful images of the Peterhof here..

And here's the Peterhof Palace's Wiki page..

The Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Via / Image Source: John Rogers

Here is the castle's website, and also its Wikipedia page..

And here's another gorgeous wallpaper of the castle..

The Rock of Cashel, Tipperary, Ireland

Click to enlarge!                                                                                                   Via

The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. Few remnants of the early structures survive; the majority of buildings on the current site date from the 12th and 13th centuries. Cashel is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century. The picturesque complex has a character of its own and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe. (Source)

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex, England

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Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle near Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, with the permission of Richard II, ostensibly to defend the area against French invasion during the Hundred Years' War. Of quadrangular plan, Bodiam Castle has no keep, having its various chambers built around the outer defensive walls and inner courts. Its corners and entrance are marked by towers, and topped by crenellations. Its structure, details and situation in an artificial watery landscape indicate that display was an important aspect of the castle's design as well as defence. It was the home of the Dalyngrigge family and the centre of the manor of Bodiam. Wikipedia Source

More images of Bodiam Castle..

Nothing to See Here...

Just an awesome lighted sand castle..


CTE!

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Pamukkale - Turkey's Cotton Castle

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Pamukkale, is a natural site in Denizli Province in south-western Turkey. The city contains hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. It is located in Turkey's Inner Aegean region, in the River Menderes valley, which has a temperate climate for most of the year.

It is one of Turkey’s incomparable natural wonders with the calcium cascade terraces of snow-white stalactites, and is known as 8th wonder of the World by Turkish people. Pamukkale & Hierapolis together are both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1988. They have all the conditions required for an ideal touristic resort. Pamukkale means “Cotton Castle” but had many different uncommon names in the past, and is not only very well known with the entrancing beauty of its unique geological formation, but also with its historical remains.


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Tourism is and has been a major industry. People have bathed in its pools for thousands of years. As recently as the mid 20th century, hotels were built over the ruins of Heropolis, causing considerable damage. An approach road was built from the valley over the terraces, and motor bikes were allowed to go up and down the slopes. When the area was declared a world heritage site, the hotels were demolished and the road removed and replaced with artificial pools. Wearing shoes in the water is prohibited to protect the deposits.

Geologically, the terraces of Pamukkale are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the hot springs. The water that emerges from the 17 hot water springs in the area is transported over 1000 feet to the head of the travertine terraces, where calcium carbonate deposits onto a 200-230 feet-long section - covering an expansive area of 790 feet to 980 feet. When the water reaches the surface, carbon dioxide degases from it, and calcium carbonate is deposited. This continues until the carbon dioxide in the water balances the carbon dioxide in the air. Calcium carbonate is deposited as a soft jelly-like substance, but this eventually hardens into travertine.

The entire process is (of course) affected by weather conditions, ambient temperature, and the flow duration, as well as many other factors of rarer occurrence. The result is a beautiful, ever-changing serenity of warm pools surrounded by solid white, cotton-like castle formations.

Sources: 1, 2, and 3.

Here are a few more images:










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Here is an awesome Powerpoint presentation: (Please click on menu at the bottom left to view full-screen!)

Pamukkale - Turkey's Cotton Castle