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 Image Source Angkor Wat, Cambodia Image Source Burg Gudneau, Germany Image Source Caerphilly Castle, United Kingdom Forbidden City – Beijing, China Image Source Beloeil Castle, Belgium Image Source Egeskov Castle, Denmark Image Source Vadstena Castle, Sweden Image Source Bodiam Castle – East Sussex, England Image Source Château de Chambord, France Image Source Château de Chenonceau, France Image Source Muiderslot Castle, Netherlands Image Source Oerebro Castle, Sweden Image Source Leeds Castle, England Bodelschwingh Castle – Dortmund, Germany Image Source Frederiksborg Palace, Denmark Fagaras Castle, Romania Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban (National Assembly Building), Bangladesh Image Source Home of Charles Sieger – Miami, Florida Image Source Source: twistedsifter