If you're looking to buy a sprawling dream home but have a limited budget, then Salbek Castle might just be within your reach. On the market with Sotheby's International Realty for a mere €450,000 (£384k/$534k), this abandoned building is grand, spacious and extremely affordable.

The origins of this pretty palatial property date back to 1778, when the noble Salbek family owned significant portions of land in the Romanian town of Petriş, as well as in the villages of Corbești, Obârșia and Roșia. Count Salbek even ordered Periș to be moved to a new location, around the castle, where it remains to this day. The castle was constructed in a neo-classic style in 1811, replacing a fortress-like structure that previously stood on the 42-acre estate.

Spanning almost 11,000 square feet, the castle’s façade benefits from important architectural elements, including imposing Doric columns and a grand pedimented porch. Inside, you’ll find light-filled living areas, all showing signs of age. Yet despite the home’s rundown state, it’s easy to imagine how impressive the interior could be again after a sensitive restoration. Highlights include the castle's high ceilings, parquet floors and oversized sash windows.

The once-grand residence comes complete with 13 bedrooms, all of which are waiting to be transformed as you see fit. Access to the first floor is provided by a striking semi-circular staircase, while many of the bedrooms provide unobstructed views across the estate’s grounds. Plus the property comes with a fascinating history: according to legend, local criminals were judged under the estate's ancient oak trees in the early 19th century, before being detained in the castle’s prison.

If you’re brave enough (and have the budget) to take on a colossal renovation project, then look no further because Castle Pézenas is a truly exceptional opportunity. Situated in the Pézenas commune of France, this sprawling estate is akin to a ghost town and sits on almost 82 acres of private land, just miles from the coast. For sale with Sotheby's International Realty for a cool €15 million (£13m/$18m), this project is certainly not for the faint-hearted, but the rewards would be priceless. 

The abbatial palace dates back to the 18th century and is often referred to as the 'Little Versailles of Languedoc'. Part of the building was designated a historic monument in 1998, meaning any renovation works would need to be carefully considered. The estate is also home to a unique Romanesque chapel from the 12th Century, with an imposing vaulted ceiling. The church was converted after the French Revolution and is now a wow-factor wine cellar.

Described by the real estate agents as a “sumptuous princely residence”, the castle boasts 6,000 square feet of interior space. The property currently has 30 rooms, 15 of which are bedrooms, but with some TLC the possibilities for this beautiful fixer-upper are endless. Although the rooms are completely abandoned, they're anything but ordinary. From stunning vaulted ceilings to cloistered hallways, original leaded windows and elegant stone floors, this property is utterly exquisite.

Outside, you’ll find a seven-acre walled garden, a working vineyard and an old cooperative cellar that could be turned into winery HQ, meaning this home comes with job opportunities too. What's more, because the entire building needs to be restored, the lucky new owner will be eligible for tax exemptions. What could be better than that?

Located on a rocky hill above the River Guil in the Hautes-Alpes department in south-eastern France, this magnificent château and its surrounding buildings were originally built to protect the valley from invaders. Constructed in 1265, the fort is on the market for just shy of €2.5 million (£2.1m/$3m) and has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and woodlands.

Accessed by a drawbridge, the château itself is surrounded by a number of other buildings, including a soldier barracks, storehouses, arms depots, a bakery, a hospital and even a chapel. The château was also the scene of many battles over the years and became a base for the Chasseurs Alpins during the Second World War.

If you've always wanted to buy a major fixer-upper, this could be the project for you. Some of the surrounding buildings haven't received facelifts since 1692 when the fort's defences were improved, so there are many parts of the structure in need of renovation. This stone doorway has stood the test of time and has unsurprisingly been left weathered over centuries of use. 

If you're looking for a wow-factor, characterful home but have a smaller budget to play with, then perhaps this striking property in Occitanie, France, will pique your interest. Known as Château Pinardier, the historic building can be found in Béziers and has a long wine history, making it the perfect opportunity for someone seeking a house with a job thrown in!

For sale via the Casanova Gallery Agency, the derelict dwelling is surrounded by almost nine acres of land and boasts a once-grand, 7,200-square-foot interior that's in need of some attention. The castle was built in 1870 by the architect Louis Garros and its classical style was inspired by Parisian architecture. Abandoned buildings don't get much more intriguing than this!

Inside, the house is laid out over four floors. There are 21 rooms, including 11 bedrooms, so there's ample space for visiting guests. The castle has remained uninhabited for almost a century, so most of the rooms have deteriorated badly. The sanitary facilities and electricity network also need attention, which makes this a project for those with ambition and imagination. Yet plus points include the castle's oversized arched windows, beamed ceilings, tiled floors and decorative woodwork.

What's more, most of the rooms offer splendid views across the surrounding parkland, making this the ultimate rural retreat. Despite its rundown state, it isn't hard to imagine how majestic the castle once was – or how beautiful it could be, if given a little bit of TLC. Are you up to the job?

Regal, majestic and unique, this heritage palace epitomises what a fairytale castle should look like. Situated on 148 acres of land on the outskirts of Lisbon, Portugal, the period property was constructed in 1800 and retains many of its striking original features. With 17 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, the palace boasts almost 22,000 square feet of inside space that's just waiting to be rescued.

Known as Quinta da Torre de Santo António, the abandoned castle has become an important local landmark and sits on a scenic plateau in the countryside, allowing for stunning panoramic views from almost every room. A fine example of classic neo-Manueline architecture, the castle comes with its own chapel, as well as numerous covered balconies, a prominent tower, stone arcades and elegant turrets.

A grand atrium opens up to a great hall with edged neo-Mudéjar tiles and walls decorated with tapestries. There are bespoke coffered ceilings with painted murals, marble and bronze fireplaces, and refined marble columns. A staircase leads to the upper floors and features bronze balustrades and baroque tile panels from the first half of the 18th century, as well as Manueline mullion windows. Elsewhere, you’ll find golden bronze lamps, stained-glass windows and gilded details.

The palace is surrounded by gardens and woods and comes with stables, coach houses and numerous servants’ quarters. The Jardim Velho (Old Garden), was created by the famous French gardener Pedro Maurier and features highly decorative hedges, lawns and beds. For sale with Portugal Property and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, this royal residence is just waiting to be snapped up.

Nestled in the beautiful countryside of Tarn-et-Garonne, France, this 15th-century château is waiting to be rescued. The secluded estate lies just 45 minutes from Toulouse and benefits from an elevated position and unobstructed landscape vistas. As well as boasting almost 11,000 square feet of interior space, the palatial property also has a rich and significant history.

The château is listed as a Historique Monument by the ISMH and was originally built between 1401 and 1600 by a member of the court of Louis XI, one of the most infamous kings in history. Yet the plot was once home to an even older structure, completed towards the end of the 14th century. 

The ancient castle was largely rebuilt during the 16th century and throughout history, numerous kings and bishops stayed at the palace. With endless interior space, the château consists of two wings set around a courtyard, with four historic towers decorating each corner. The castle also comes with beautiful grounds, a moat that encircles the property, plus an impressive bridge and ruins of the original fortress.

Throughout the property, you’ll find plenty of dramatic period features, including stone staircases, 16th-century ceiling murals, ancient fireplaces and vaulted cloister-style spaces. There’s even a three-bedroom caretaker's house, where you could reside while renovations take place, and a chapel with 15th-century frescoes. Available through Jonathan Charles for €880,000 (£750k/$1m), this enchanting estate could soon be yours.

Looking for all the world like an abandoned billionaire's mansion, this majestic castle in the province of Pichincha, Ecuador, sits on 70 acres of lush grounds filled with mature cypress and eucalyptus trees. In need of some updating both inside and out, it's the mother of all fixer-upper projects and is currently on the market for $8 million (£5.7m). 

From the air, you can see how the grand house sits within the grounds, which have both wooded and landscaped areas. Around the estate, you'll find sculptures of figures from Greek and Roman mythology, monarchs from all over the world and scenes that depict the lives of Ecuadoreans.

Inside, the huge property has over 100,000 square feet of floor space decked out in a mixture of architectural styles, including Gothic Revival, Renaissance and Rococo. The castle may be empty but it doesn't go without some luxury touches: there are more stone and marble sculptures dotted around the house, as well as carved balustrades and intricate stucco work across the ceilings.

As well as the main castle, the grounds are also home to a cathedral, two Roman-style pools, multiple pavilions and 50 car-parking spaces. So, what's the trade-off for this enormous property? The castle needs major renovation work, which has a projected cost of around $2 million (£1.4m). 

The origins of this luxurious castle in Umbria date back to the first half of the 19th century. Shortly after completion, it was sold to one of the most powerful families in the area, who transformed the building into a prestigious villa in the architectural style of a neo-Gothic castle. It's now listed for sale at €6.9 million (£5.9m/$8.2m).

Displaying elements of English romanticism, the pink fort is spread out over four floors, including a basement level that can be accessed from both the ground floor and the garden. The main entrance features an original front door, which has been perfectly preserved and framed with stucco paintwork.

While structurally sound, the interior needs a serious overhaul in order to make it liveable, yet the castle is still full of amazing period details that will surely delight any history lover. As well as the decorative bay windows in the tapestry room, the kitchen features a hand-painted cooker hood that bears a coat of arms, while the living room boasts truly eye-catching coffered ceilings.

There are three bedrooms and three bathrooms, but plenty of potential to extend the accommodation offering. You'll also find an octagonal terrace positioned at the top of the castle's tower, which features traditional battlements and provides 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. A beautiful park of nearly 15 acres surrounds the castle and has been split by a wide avenue lined with pine trees – perfect for an evening stroll before supper. 

If you're looking to live the fairytale dream in the spectacular Piedmont region of Italy, then this enchanting estate could well tick all the right boxes. For sale with Prestige Property, the ancient castle dates back to 900 AD and was reportedly completed around 1200.

Over the centuries, the historic property has been modified numerous times, but its regal façade and impressive C-shaped courtyard, which was designed in typical Piedmontese Baroque style, remain very much intact. Sitting on an elevated plot in the heart of Alessandria, the picture-perfect fortress enjoys spectacular views across the surrounding countryside.

Offering plenty of bang for your buck, the 12th-century property comes with almost nine acres of land and an impressive 25,564 square feet of inside space. Distributed over three floors, the castle features a basement, a spacious main level and a large attic with exposed beams. There are 10 bedrooms and plenty of roomy living areas with exquisite period features. From domed ceilings to hand-painted frescoes, every room is wonderfully unique.

As well as plenty of impressive interior spaces that are in need of restoration, the unique fortress was recently rendered secure by essential remedial works to its ancient structure. From supporting its exterior walls to repairing the roof, some of the hard (and expensive) work has already been taken care of. Outside, the medieval castle comes with spectacular terraced gardens and picturesque parklands worthy of the most regal estate.

On the market with Christie's International Real Estate, this enchanting château has it all. Nestled on 580 stunning acres of land in the heart of Burgundy, France, the estate dates back to the 11th century but fell to ruins in 1781. Rebuilt in the 19th century, the building and its surroundings have now been declared a historical monument. 

Perfectly positioned in the wine-making region of Macon, the breathtaking château has been vacant for some time and is in need of rescuing. The property offers plenty of potential though and would be the ideal choice for someone looking to put their own stamp on a truly one-of-a-kind home. Spanning more than 25,800 square feet, the building features original neo-Gothic staircases with curved stone ramps, as well as 13 bedrooms.

Luckily, the château has been well-preserved, a result of the high-quality building materials used during construction. Every room is spacious and light-filled, thanks to oversized windows and generous ceilings. There's a magnificent vaulted gallery, a grand dining room and a timber-clad library, all of which retain striking period features, including bespoke stained-glass windows, ornate cornicing, French ceilings, marble floors, decorative fireplaces and timber panelling.

Boasting a total of more than 96,800 square feet of inside space, the estate also offers an 18th-century mansion, a caretaker's cottage, a large barn, a clock tower building, an orangery, numerous abandoned outbuildings, a keep and a private chapel. The garden is home to endless parks and meadows, as well as a golf course that's just waiting to be put to use. As far as historic homes go, this ghostly abandoned castle is truly unforgettable.

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