Witness the ruins of these epic European castles brought back to life
![Witness the ruins of these epic European castles brought back to life](https://dpdajlq3ew794.cloudfront.net/20200326164321/imgonline-com-ua-resize-1OKMm9oL7txKFp8.jpg?format=auto&width=1920)
The various castles across Europe provide a unique peek behind the curtain of an extensive and fascinating history that helped shape an entire continent.
Each structure has its own story that transports you back to a time of mystical tales of battles and lineage and triumph.
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However, as time moves ever forward, some of these castles fell siege to invaders, takeovers, and age to become ruins.
Now, Australian insurance company Budget Direct, in collaboration with a group of designers and architects, has created a series of seven architectural renders and reconstruction graphics that bring a some of Europe’s epic castle ruins back to their magnificent glory.
As millions of people around the world are working to contain the COVID-19 pandemic by staying at home and practicing physical distancing, this project provides a welcome escape by whisking viewers off to faraway lands and creating some travel inspiration for when they can jet set off once again.
So sit up and scroll on, because the results of these renderings are breathtaking.
Samobor Castle – Samobor, Croatia
Before:
![watch-european-castles-rebuilt](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326162048/01-Samobor-BEFORE.jpg)
Budget Direct
After:
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326162133/01-Samobor-RECONSTRUCTED.jpg)
Budget Direct
Reconstruction:
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326162224/01-ruined-castles-reconstructed-Samobor.gif)
Budget Direct
Château Gaillard – Les Andelys, France
Before:
![watch-european-castles-rebuilt](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326162421/02-Gaillard-BEFORE.jpg)
Budget Direct
After:
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326162457/02-Gaillard-RECONSTRUCTED.jpg)
Budget Direct
Reconstruction:
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326162552/02-ruined-castles-reconstructed-Gaillard.gif)
Budget Direct
Dunnottar Castle – Stonehaven, Scotland
![watch-european-castles-rebuilt](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326162707/03-Dunnottar-BEFORE.jpg)
Budget Direct
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326162725/03-Dunnottar-RECONSTRUCTED.jpg)
Budget Direct
Reconstruction:
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326162758/03-ruined-castles-reconstructed-Dunnottar.gif)
Budget Direct
Menlo Castle – Galway City, Ireland
Before:
![watch-european-castles-rebuilt](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326162915/04-Menlo-BEFORE.jpg)
Budget Direct
After:
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326162936/04-Menlo-RECONSTRUCTED.jpg)
Budget Direct
Reconstruction:
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326163000/04-ruined-castles-reconstructed-Menlo.gif)
Budget Direct
Olsztyn Castle – Olsztyn, Poland
Before:
![watch-european-castles-rebuilt](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326163122/05-Olsztyn-BEFORE.jpg)
Budget Direct
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326163139/05-Olsztyn-RECONSTRUCTED.jpg)
Budget Direct
Reconstruction:
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326163224/05-ruined-castles-reconstructed-Olsztyn1.gif)
Budget Direct
Spiš Castle – Spišské Podhradie, Slovakia
Before:
![watch-european-castles-rebuilt](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326163339/06-Spis-BEFORE.jpg)
Budget Direct
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326163358/06-Spis-RECONSTRUCTED.jpg)
Budget Direct
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326163417/06-ruined-castles-reconstructed-Spis.gif)
Budget Direct
Poenari Fortress – Valachia, Romani
Before:
![watch-european-castles-rebuilt](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326163500/07-Poenari-BEFORE.jpg)
Budget Direct
After:
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326163523/07-Poenari-RECONSTRUCTED.jpg)
Budget Direct
Reconstruction:
![](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200326163547/07-ruined-castles-reconstructed-Poenari.gif)
Budget Direct