Building a medieval castle in modern times...
We often think of medieval castles as relics of a forgotten era. Here's why that's wrong...
We often think of medieval castles as relics of a forgotten era — symbols of feudal power or romantic ruins. Yet, in the modern world, architects and visionaries are building castles inspired by this very period.
Where? How? Why?
The story begins over in the depths of Notecka Forest in Western Poland and the modern medieval castle of Stobnica…
Stobnica Castles, Notecka Forest, Poland (2015-)
At first glance, this structure appears to belong to the medieval world, with its towering spires, turrets, and imposing stone walls. Right?
Yet, it is very much a product of our time; in fact, construction began here in only 2015, and this wonder was only “discovered” 3 years later, via aerial photography.
So what is this castle — over 70 meters high (230 feet) and 200 meters (656 feet) long — doing on an artificial island in a lake, in the middle of nowhere?
It’s an incredible example of Revivalism, echoing the style of previous architectural era.
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Officially, it’s a private residence, but we don’t really know why it was built isolated. (You can actually take a walk outside its perimeters today and see it for yourself, though the actual site is off-limits as the interior is still not finished.)
This modern "castle" mimics many of the features associated with medieval fortresses. It includes a 90-meter tower, towering walls, and a 15-storey layout — each floor twice the height of a typical residential one.
However, Stobnica is not alone, and it’s not the first medieval wonder to have been constructed in modern times.
Guédelon Castle, near Treigny, France (1997-)
You might have heard of the Guédelon Castle in France.
Work began in 1997 to build a wonder of the old world from scratch using only techniques, tools, and materials that would have been available in the 13th century. (More specifically, this type of construction is called experimental archaeology.).
Guédelon is built in the transitional Romanesque and early Gothic developments under Philip II of France. Its layout is that of a typical medieval stronghold, featuring a keep, curtain walls, corner towers, a great hall, and a chapel. The castle even includes a simple wooden bridge—but not a drawbridge.
This is an important feature: it’s a nobleman’s castle, not a royal one, so its owner would not be able to afford a drawbridge or moat.
Techniques that were redeveloped by builders in Guédelon were used in the vital reconstruction of the roof of Notre-Dame cathedral.
Every stone, piece of timber, and tile is locally sourced. Every tool is handcrafted. Every worker operates as though the modern world doesn’t exist.
The result? A living, breathing medieval construction site.
Despite its relatively modest size compared to Stobnica, Guédelon is expected to take 35 years to complete in total — far longer than a similar castle would have taken in the 13th century. The reason might sound quite silly… medieval builders wouldn’t have taken holidays... In the meantime, it serves as an open-air museum until it will be completed in 2030.
Something else quite remarkable about it all is that it has a medieval crane that can lift half a ton of materials — completely powered by a treadmill for two people.
An authentic replica of a treadwheel crane was used in Guédelon.
So now we’ve seen two castles come to life, but there is also a monastic community right from the Middle Ages in Germany: Campus Galli.
This project aims to construct an early medieval monastic community based on the Plan of Saint Gall, the only surviving architectural drawing from the Middle Ages. Dating from 820-830 AD, the plan unfolds a detailed vision of a Carolingian monastery, with churches, workshops, gardens, and living quarters.
Campus Galli, Meßkirch, Germany (2013-)
Now, in the 21st century, that inspiration will be brought to life — only using the materials, techniques, and tools available to builders during the reign of Charlemagne.
The Plan of Saint Gall is incredible, not just because it’s a window into history but because it goes into the detail about everything that pertains to monastic life, from where to place the abbey church right down to how the dormitories and stables should be laid out. What Campus Galli does-or rather attempts to do—is take this plan and turn it into an actual, working monastery.
The Plan of Saint Gall is a drawing of a monastic compound, dating back to the early 9th century.
It started in 2013 and is expected to take forty years. The workers use axes, chisels, and saws patterned after medieval models, and the timber and stone are quarried from the surrounding countryside.
But building wonders from the past in the present isn’t an idea that is relatively new. Take one of the most famous examples you could think of: Neuschwanstein Castle.
King Ludwig was very much inspired by medieval and Byzantine architecture and decided to build his own castle, with a mixture of all of his favorite elements.
The result was rather interesting...
Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau, Germany (1886)
It had everything you would need, from central heating to flushing toilets on the inside. But on the outside, you see an ideal form of what could be a centuries-old castle.
Much like Guédelon or Neuschwanstein Castle, Stobnica is a reminder that history isn’t just something we study — it’s something we can experience, touch, and build anew.
It’s something that doesn’t have to be frozen in time and forgotten.
And something that we can still re-experience today (whether we have to read a book or wait 40 years to build the perfect medieval castle…)
I hope that you enjoyed today’s edition.
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Until Next Time,
World Scholar
it may take longer to be built than it did in the middle ages, but I’m sure there will be fewer deaths. Pre-modern construction sites were utter death traps.
I would also like to point out some buildings in the poorest countries of the Third World are still built today without modern mechanization. You see no motorized cranes and hear no drills or jackhammers. I’m talking about major multi story buildings.
Thanks for sharing this interesting article.