BrickList: Castle? Not a Castle?
Castle? Not a Castle?
An examination of the big structures in the Castle theme to determine which are actually Castles and which are not. Proper Castles are enclosed on all four sides, and they are fairly close to a European structure & arrangement.
Created by guyfullerton. Last updated on 19 May 2010.
1. 375: Castle
CASTLE!
Definitely a proper Castle. It's completely enclosed, with a drawbridge, crenellated walls, and towers. The uniform color for the majority of the structure is somewhat cartoony, but the model itself is clearly identifiable as a castle.
| 375-2 |
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4.7
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836 members own this set | 465 members want this set |
2. 6080: King's Castle
CASTLE!
Another proper Castle, for obvious reasons. Fairly plain in overall design, but the color scheme, various protrusions, and printed wall pieces give this plenty of visual interest.
| 6080-1 |
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4.7
|
1763 members own this set | 765 members want this set |
3. 6073: Knight's Castle
CASTLE!
As with 6080 King's Castle, but more compact.
| 6073-1 |
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4.3
|
1026 members own this set | 610 members want this set |
4. 6074: Black Falcon's Fortress
CASTLE!
Although this doesn't have the word "Castle" in its name, this is still recognizable as a proper Castle, with its drawbridge, gate house, crenellated walls, and completely enclosed design. Its unique architecture and prominent yellow and black elements make this stand out visually compared to its predecessors.
| 6074-1 |
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4.6
|
1500 members own this set | 632 members want this set |
5. 6085: Black Monarch's Castle
CASTLE!
Drawbridge, portcullis, gatehouse, towers, crenellated walls: Check. Definitely a proper Castle. Darkest of all the proper Castles.
| 6085-1 |
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4.9
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1223 members own this set | 854 members want this set |
6. 6081: King's Mountain Fortress
NOT a castle.
This just doesn't look enough like a castle. Its enclosure is very inconsistent, with little obvious purpose for the enclosure around the ramp. It's also hindered by the fact that the crenellations on the inner wall only serve to protect the ledge from one side. This is really more of a fortress or a keep.
| 6081-1 |
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4.5
|
1160 members own this set | 736 members want this set |
7. 6086: Black Knight's Castle
CASTLE!
The Black Knight's Castle has all of the right elements and uses color better than its black predecessor. This is the first of the proper castles to implement a striking non-symmetrical layout.
| 6086-1 |
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4.7
|
1225 members own this set | 877 members want this set |
8. 6082: Fire Breathing Fortress
NOT a castle.
This is probably closer to a castle than King's Mountain Fortress, but it is ultimately a big tower, keep, or as its name says, fortress. The roof of the structure is a major living area for minifigs, which is quite unlike a proper castle.
| 6082-1 |
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4.4
|
1240 members own this set | 630 members want this set |
9. 6090: Royal Knight's Castle
CASTLE!
It has all of the necessary elements: Enclosed on all four sides, gatehouse, crenellated walls, towers, and so on. To this point chronologically, this is the most massive of the proper castles. Just as deep as those that came before it, but also 50% wider, and taller too! The lack of symmetry and the different levels are very eye-catching.
| 6090-1 |
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4.7
|
1217 members own this set | 956 members want this set |
10. 6097: Night Lord's Castle
NOT a castle.
Yes, its enclosed, and it has a portcullis, battlements, and a tower. But the result looks more like a gothic cathedral than a European castle.
6097-1
|
|
4.7
|
781 members own this set | 537 members want this set |
11. 6093: Flying Ninja Fortress
NOT a castle.
It's not enclosed, and it has a distinctly non-European look to it, so it's not a proper Castle.
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6093-1
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4.5
|
572 members own this set | 617 members want this set |
12. 6098: King Leo's Castle
UNDECIDED!
The first of the Disney-style castles. (Think: Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty's Castle.) It has many of the important elements, but I'm not convinced that it is completely enclosed.
| 6098-1 |
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4.2
|
668 members own this set | 465 members want this set |
13. 8781: The Castle of Morcia
UNDECIDED!
Another Disney-style castle. Like its predecessor, it's also only superficially enclosed.
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8781-1
|
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3.6
|
903 members own this set | 395 members want this set |
14. 8877: Vladek's Dark Fortress
NOT a castle.
This is really close to being a proper Castle, but it is unfortunately not enclosed on all four sides.
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8877-1
|
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4.8
|
1128 members own this set | 616 members want this set |
15. 10176: King's Castle
CASTLE! (But just barely.)
Of the Disney-style castles, this does the best job at being completely enclosed.
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10176-1
|
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4.5
|
696 members own this set | 763 members want this set |
16. 7094: King's Castle Siege
CASTLE!
A return to a more traditional design after a decade of other styles. Has all of the necessary elements and is extremely detailed with much visual interest, and a good use of asymmetry in the rear section.
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7094-1
|
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4.8
|
2262 members own this set | 1229 members want this set |
17. 7097: Trolls' Mountain Fortress
NOT a castle.
If you remove the minifigures, this is looks quite like a traditional, if sinister, castle. But its non-European appearance means it doesn't count as a proper Castle.
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7097-1
|
|
3.9
|
1545 members own this set | 1161 members want this set |
18. 7946: King's Castle
CASTLE!
A striking return to the 1980's era castle design, though certainly less plain-looking than the earlier castles that might have inspired this design. Many added details (textures, red & dark gray accents, torches) provide visual interest.
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7946-1
|
|
4.5
|
2481 members own this set | 1238 members want this set |
