From fortresses to ornate palaces, these structures are worth traveling for. This gorgeous medieval castle endured wars with little damage—in fact, it's looked pretty much the same since the ...

During medieval sieges, this destruction machine crushed castle walls. Using trial and error, medieval engineers adjusted the trebuchet to make sure its missile hit the castle wall—and destroyed it.

HIMEJI, Hyogo Prefecture--Himeji Castle is undoubtedly one of the best preserved feudal era castles in Japan, but visitors rarely get the opportunity to explore the entire medieval complex.