Builders of Minecraft have teamed up with the “English Heritage” team to preserve real medieval castles!
We’ve shared a substantial number of stunning castles with you. Here’s one, and another, plus one more. Impressive, right? Then take a look at this. We can’t help but admire each of these creations. Many builders dedicated significant time and effort to crafting majestic, intricately designed, and simply captivating fortresses. Click here for a bonus castle.
Unlike their real counterparts, virtual constructions don’t require constant maintenance. How great is that! Unfortunately, however, castles in Britain and around the globe need ongoing care and restoration. This task is quite challenging because, unlike in the virtual realm, it involves considerable costs and there are no cheats available here.
This is precisely what the team has been working on.
This is an accurate replica of Kenilworth Castle in England, created to showcase how the structure appeared in 1575. If you’re curious about the construction process, read on.
“English Heritage” is a charity that has preserved over 400 historical sites. Currently, they are collaborating with Blockworks, aiming to spread awareness about their work both on actual castles and those within the game. They want to engage people and show them that the things they admire and the surroundings they inhabit require protection and care.
“Minecraft is perfect for our plans,” says Eric Winbolt, head of digital innovation at English Heritage. “It has a vast audience, and the theme of castles resonates with nearly everyone here. By implementing our ideas, we can blend the new with the old, the real with the virtual.”
The team is diligently working on several projects related to some of England’s most famous buildings. At Dover and Kenilworth castles, visitors were invited to attempt recreating the monuments complete with all their ancient walls, towers, and details in Minecraft Pocket Edition.
Would you like to interact with a 3D model built by Blockworks? Too bad you might not have that chance. Oh wait, yes you do! Follow this link!
“This was a fantastic way to educate the younger generation about heritage through castle design in the game. They likely encountered these structures in Minecraft Bedrock, and now they know similar ones exist in real life,” explains Eric. “The workshops attracted an incredible number of participants. All spots were filled just minutes after ticket sales opened.”
“For those who couldn’t attend the event, we had YouTuber AmyLee sitting in a throne-like chair, attentively listening to all the speakers while occasionally offering building tips. Afterward, anyone interested could visit the actual castles!” But if you missed out on these exciting workshops, don’t worry. The creators are developing new ideas and considering how to expand and improve further. They also aim to apply their experiences to slightly different directions.
One way to spark interest in building is to encourage individuals to create something themselves. English Heritage is hosting a competition to find the best castle creator. The prize for winning will be three nights spent in one of the real castles! What are you waiting for? Click here to learn more!
However, to become that lucky winner, you’ll need to craft something truly impressive for the Blockworks build. The image of the castle that drew you into reading this article (and thanks if the title caught your attention!) is Kenilworth Castle. The contest organizers aim to teach people how to bring valuable national monuments into the game.
James Delaney, managing director of Blockworks, shares: “We asked historians to assist us in creating the closest possible replica of the castle as it stood in 1575. Every detail mattered: interior, furniture, etc. We frequently referred to books for illustrations, construction plans, and room designs.”
“There were massive changes in architecture from the 12th to the 16th centuries, so discovering what existed in 1575 was incredibly fortunate. It feels like we’ve solved an ancient puzzle.”
Soon, all users of Minecraft Bedrock will be able to relax while taking a virtual tour of the property. In the meantime, check out the video made for English Heritage by YouTuber GeminiTay.
The first video by GeminiTay showcases the beautiful exterior of the castle!
GeminiTay highlights some truly meticulous details. For instance, the use of red and yellow colors to make the structure appear more realistic, resembling sand. Or the fact that the castle is situated on a high hill, which was conceived for self-defense back in medieval times.
There are also recreational areas: stables, a maze constructed from hedges. James and the Blockworks builders invested a lot of time into designing the entire interior. “Finding suitable functions for each individual room to give it proper decor and furnishings took much longer than constructing the outer structure of the castle,” he tells me.
The second video by GeminiTay covers the incredibly detailed interior!
This isn’t surprising since there are numerous rooms inside! Bedrooms, storage spaces full of chests, a large cellar, and a grand hall perfectly suited for feasts and dances. I think the best feature is the suits of armor guarding the castle corridors. Well, I also love the fireplaces. It’s no wonder the builders deemed it essential to construct them, as central heating didn’t exist back then, making fireplaces indispensable. I wonder, was there fire in 1575? Probably not.
If even for the creators it was so challenging to consider every detail, it’s daunting to imagine how difficult it must have been to accomplish all this in the real world during medieval times. I will never take the opportunity to create for granted again!
“The Minecraft build has captured the hearts of all staff at English Heritage,” Eric exclaimed. “It’s a vivid example of how new technologies can provide a fresh perspective on any property!”
If you plan to create your own castle for the competition, GeminiTay has plenty of tips to assist you, so be sure to check out her videos. And even if you’re not a builder, don’t miss this opportunity. Be sure to visit the English Heritage website, review their list of plans, and spend a few minutes—trust me, you’ll enjoy it!
Will visiting real castles inspire you to create another 732,998,000 buildings in Minecraft Pocket Edition? We certainly hope so!
Thanks to Blockbuilders and AmyLee for assisting with the workshops, GeminiTay for her videos, and Blockworks for guiding and developing the Kenilworth Castle model.
