HIMEJI CASTLE

Himeji Castle (Japanese in Latin transcription: Himeji-Jo, another name of the White Heron Castle) is a Japanese defensive and representative structure erected in the first half of the 14th century in the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. The construction of the castle probably began in 1333 and was completed in 1346. Looking for analogies to the history of Poland and Europe - Himeji Castle was built at the beginning of the Hundred Years' War between France and England and during the reign of Casimir the Great in our country. The castle was erected on two hills, and its main tower rises about 90 meters above sea level. The building took its present shape in the 1680s thanks to the Japanese politician and military leader Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and at the beginning of the 17th century, when the son-in-law of the shogun Tokugawa resided at the castle - Terumasa Ikeda. In 1871, the castle became the property of the Japanese government, and in 1993 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is assumed that it is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Japan.