Let's Celebrate International Castle Day!

Celebrated annually on July 19th, International Castle Day was established in 2015 by the Association of European Royal Residences based in France to highlight the cultural importance, architectural beauty, and heritage of castles and palaces worldwide and to encourage their preservation and appreciation.

As an architecture, history, and travel fan, I've visited Hearst Castle in California; Iolani Palace in Hawaii (the only royal residence on U.S. soil); the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.; Chambord, Chenonceau, Fontainbleau, the Louvre, and Mont-Saint-Michel in France; Kensington Palace and the Tower of London in England; the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia; and, of course, some Disney castles (Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in California, Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Florida, and Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant at Disneyland Paris in France).

Hold onto the castle line of thought for a moment while I pose the following question: How often have you seen something and thought, "LEGO should make a toy of that?" Sure, LEGO has countless toys for kids, but did you know that the international toy brand also has toy sets designed for the adult market?

According to LEGO's adult welcome page, "Spend quality time with LEGO sets designed specifically for adults. From wonders of the world to movie magic, intrepid space exploration to pop culture icons, luxury cars to architectural masterpieces, there’s a LEGO set waiting for you. So unplug, unbox, and unwind...Maybe you built LEGO sets as a child and never stopped, maybe you took a break from the bricks but have rediscovered the joy, or maybe you began your LEGO hobby as an adult. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy LEGO sets as an adult, the main thing is that you do."

And here's something you probably didn't know also existed: LEGO adult parties. "The joy of LEGO building isn’t just in the construction – it’s about the laughter, conversation, and magic moments along the way. So, gather your loved ones, pour out those bricks, and let’s get this party started! Whether you’re planning a lively night with friends, a cozy night in with a special someone, or a family reunion, LEGO sets are here to save the day!"

And now, returning to today's significance...one of the most interesting LEGO sets can be found in LEGO's architecture category: Bavaria's Neuschwanstein Castle. According to the product specs, "Dive into your passion for iconic landmarks with this collectible 3,455-piece LEGO Architecture Neuschwanstein Castle building set for adults. The build is full of surprises from the exterior spires, turrets, courtyard, staircases, and gabled roofs to the small interior builds. Plus, the foliage of the surrounding trees can be changed to depict either a summer or fall landscape. This 3,455-piece architecture display model of Neuschwanstein Castle measures over 12 in. (31 cm) high, 18 in. (46 cm) wide and 8 in. (20 cm) deep."

So how will you celebrate International Castle Day today? If you visit a castle, share your photos and memories on social media with today's hashtag #InternationalCastleDay!

SHARE THIS: The allure of a castle lies not in its walls but in the dreams it inspires. ~Anonymous #InternationalCastleDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credits: LEGO and Hotel Hechten.

LEGO's Neuschwanstein Castle product page:

https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/neuschwanstein-castle-21063

Read more about Neuschwanstein Castle:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Neuschwanstein-Castle

Hawaii's Iolani Palace, the Only Royal Palace in the United States:

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/oahu-the-iolani-americas-only-royal-palace/

Let's Celebrate World Architecture Day!

Created in 1985 by the International Union of Architects (UIA), World Architecture Day is a day to show appreciation for the work that architects do and to celebrate the inspiring and memorable works of architecture around the world. This day coincides with the United Nations World Habitat Day, aligning the architectural community’s efforts with global urban development goals.

Famous works of architecture have become part of the natural landscape. Consider what the city of Paris would be without the Eiffel Tower, or what New York City would be without the Statue of Liberty, or what San Francisco would be without the Golden Gate Bridge. Without these amazing architectural structures, these cities would lack their artistic souls and brand identities.

 

Here are five quotes for World Architecture Day:

"Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness."
~Frank Gehry

"The best way to predict the future is to design it."
~Buckminster Fuller

"Good buildings come from good people, and all problems are solved by good design."
~Stephen Gardiner

"We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us."
~Winston Churchill

"Architecture is not just about designing buildings; it's about creating spaces that inspire and uplift."
~Unknown

Here are five messages to share on social media on World Architecture Day:

"Architecture is the art of creating spaces that inspire, uplift, and bring communities together. Happy World Architecture Day!"

"Let's celebrate the architects who envision and design spaces that reflect our values and aspirations. Happy World Architecture Day!"

"On this World Architecture Day, let's commit to creating spaces that nurture creativity, community, and sustainability!"

"Architecture is not just about buildings; it's about creating experiences and environments that enhance our lives!"

"On World Architecture Day, let's inspire future architects to dream big and create inclusive and participatory spaces!"

In addition, many famous works of architecture provide marketing opportunities. Again consider the examples provided above. Paris has become synonymous with the Eiffel Tower, and P-A-R-I-S is often written out with the Eiffel Tower taking the place of the "A."

What's your favorite architectural structure? Chime in and share.

Image Credits from Left to Right: Getty Images, One Life Tours, Britannica, Great Runs, Empire State Building, and Wikipedia.