Star forts are amazing and really become visually stunning when you look down on them from above. This style of fortification design was adopted in the early 16th century as people realized that simpler, often circular forts were pretty crap when it came to the job in hand: defense. Photo: Bourtange Netherlands

Many of them still stand today in varying sizes. Some are empty, some contain ruins. some, as you’ll see below, contain entire villages. Here are 5 of the best star forts on Earth… Photos: Palmanova Italy

Photos: Goryokaku Japan

Photos: Almelda Portugal

Photo: Naarden Netherlands