In partnership with
Tech moves fast, but you're still playing catch-up?
That's exactly why 200K+ engineers working at Google, Meta, and Apple read The Code twice a week.
Here's what you get:
Curated tech news that shapes your career - Filtered from thousands of sources so you know what's coming 6 months early.
Practical resources you can use immediately - Real tutorials and tools that solve actual engineering problems.
Research papers and insights decoded - We break down complex tech so you understand what matters.
All delivered twice a week in just 2 short emails.
1. Hohenzollern Castle, Germany
A 19th century wonder of the romantic age. Unusual because although it looks formidable, it was not built as a fortress — but as a family memorial for the House of Hohenzollern.
2. Castel del Monte, Andrea, Italy
Its story is as mysterious as it looks. Built in the 13th century by the Holy Roman Emperor, it's octagonal and symmetrical with extreme precision. Nobody knows why it was built that way, or what it was for...
3. Belogradchik Fortress, Bulgaria
An ancient fortress that uses a Balkan Mountains rock formation to its advantage. It was originally a Roman outpost, but since expanded by the Bulgarians and the Ottomans.
4. Château de Chenonceau, Indre-et-Loire, France
Probably the most majestic inhabited bridge still standing. The current structure (16th century) was built on an arched bridge over the Cher River, so that the owner could go hunting on the other side.
5. Eltz Castle, Wierschem, Germany
A 12th century masterpiece of a stronghold, perched on a towering rock formation. It's still owned by the family that built it — 850 years ago.
6. St Michael's Mount, Cornwall, England
Built on a tidal island and appearing to spring right out of the rock. Not only beautiful, it was a crucial fort that first intercepted the invading Spanish Armada in 1588.
7. Burg Hochosterwitz, Carinthia, Austria
A truly ancient rock castle first mentioned in a text in 860. The noble family that bought it in 1571 still owns it today.
8. Predjama Castle, Slovenia
A Renaissance wonder (16th century) built inside a cave mouth, and hanging above a 400-foot cliff. A network of tunnels leads through the caves, providing an escape route to the other side of the mountain.
9. Scaliger Castle, Sirmione, Italy
One of Italy's very best preserved castles: a 14th-century fortress with a unique fortified dock on Lake Garda.
10. The Castle of Coca, Spain
Built entirely of brick, and so beautiful it was used mainly as a royal residence. 15th century Mudéjar brickwork at its finest — blending Moorish and Gothic architecture.
11. Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany
A medieval fairytale built just before the 20th century. It isn't really a castle but a royal palace: with a telephone, central heating and running water on every floor.
12. Château de Pierrefonds, Oise, France
It looks like a medieval storybook castle. It was, until it was partially destroyed in the 1600s. Today's structure is a romantic restoration of the 19th century.
Reminder: Poland is still building castles. The medieval-style Stobnica Castle is currently being built in Western Poland. It will be a small "town" of residences, with streets, courtyards and alleyways.
And here's a map showing the concentration of castles across Europe:
Thanks for reading Pharaoh’s newsletter.
Best regards,
Mina Shohdy
If you want to start on beehiiv, I advise you to subscribe through this link 👇 to get a 14-days trial + 20% discount for three months.
