20 Beautiful Moats Around the World

A moat is a deep, broad ditch, typically filled with water, that surrounds a castle, building or town. Historically, it provided a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices. In later castles the moat or water defences may have been largely ornamental.

Regardless, moats are an impressive sight to behold, and any building that calls for such design is likely quite important and/or expensive. While many of the moats are found in Europe, we also check out Asia and even touch down in Miami for a contemporary spin on this largely medieval phenomenon. Enjoy!

Bodiam Castle – East Sussex England

Matsumoto Castle, Japan

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Burg Gudneau, Germany

Caerphilly Castle, United Kingdom

Forbidden City – Beijing, China

Beloeil Castle, Belgium

Egeskov Castle, Denmark

Vadstena Castle, Sweden

Bodiam Castle – East Sussex, England

Château de Chambord, France

Château de Chenonceau, France

Muiderslot Castle, Netherlands

Oerebro Castle, Sweden

Leeds Castle, England

Bodelschwingh Castle – Dortmund, Germany

Frederiksborg Palace, Denmark

Fagaras Castle, Romania

Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban (National Assembly Building), Bangladesh

Home of Charles Sieger – Miami, Florida

Cool Pictures