I've been building things with Legos since I was kid. That's right. I've never really stopped, even into my 40's. This last Christmas, I started the biggest castle project I've ever done, using pieces from sets collected over 35 years. Actually, it's more of a small town than a "castle". The name of the town is "Phasma Leonis" (Spirit Of The Lion).
Here's a front view. You can see the fountain in the town square, the South Gate, and the Blacksmith's Tower to the right. The Blacksmith's Tower is also known as the Iron Tower, or simply "The Black".
Here's another front view, shifted to the left. Again, you can see the fountain in the town square, the South Gate, and the Stable Tower to the left. The Stable Tower is also known as "The Brown". More colloquially, it's called the Dung Heap.
A view from further back. This helps you get a better idea of the scope. The whole town is about 3' wide by 4' long. The castle tower in the rear is 2' high.
A closer view of the main keep. The most interesing feature distinguishable here is the Lion's Head rock formation at the base. It is this formation from which the town derives its name.
A view from the "west". Here you can see the main keep has two major sections. The Gold Tower above the Lion's Head has a greenhouse level, with flowers and shrubs inside. And, yes, the Red Tower has a ship as the top layer, with masts, sails, and a crow's nest.
A closer view of "The Ship". You can make out the detail of the winch and hook off the side of the ship.
"The White" This is a tower carved from chalk-limestone formations. It's where the wizards hang out. It's also known as the Bone Tower, as it overlooks the graveyard.
A view of the East Gate and "The Black". The camera flash really picks up the firebox near the top of the tower.
A closeup of the South Gate Note the lion's heads flanking the gate. These are repeated at the East and West Gates.
The Mill Tower. It's not easy to make out from the picture, but the idea is that there is a stream flowing off the castle hill through the black grate. That stream turns a water wheel. Just under the red flag you can see gears and a brown millstone. These really work!
The northwest corner. You have a good view of the pond, the Pond Oak, and the church.
A closer view of the Dung Heap
A closer view of the northwest corner.
A closeup of the graveyard. Note the iron gates, the gravestones, and the fresh grave. You can just see a part of a whitewashed sepulchure.
The main keep from the west. You can see the flowers in the greenhouse (upper right), the main doors, and the five thrones, one for each of the great towers (Black, White, Brown, Red, and Gold).
Another view of "The Black". Note the blacksmith at work near the base.
Another big view from the south.
The front of the Dung Heap. Note the circular doorway. The overall construction is reminiscent of an old carriage.
The Dung Heap from the east. You can see the horses in the corral.
A closer view of the fountain.
An odd angle on the northwest corner.
A good view of the church. The main feature here is the large stained-glass window, with the three crosses of Calvary.
The Ship from the north You can make out the "cargo hatch" in the center of the deck between the masts. Also note the rigging behind the main sail.