posted 01-04-2003 05:08 AM            

As for contemporary tourism, there are many castles in private hands, some of which are open to the public.
Most of the ruined castles play only a small role in tourism, and it is mostly the better preserved ones that are important drawcards, except for those in private hands which are lived in and closed to the public.
The most important roles of these castles in tourism is probably their use as museums of various kinds, displaying exhibits including cars, wine labels and history, armour, archaeological finds, military history and equipment, art, architecture, regional history and castle history(16th-17th century mainly).

Just be aware that I do not include palaces and manor houses under the term castles.

Hope that helps.

posted 01-10-2003 05:37 AM            

http://www.burgenwelt.de
http://www.burgen.ch
http://www.swisscastles.ch