According to the popular saying, your home is your castle wherever you live. But there are some crucial differences.

Your studio apartment doesn't have its own drawbridge, turrets or a moat, for example. And in the event of a robot revolt or zombie attack, it's not going to provide you with the same protection as a real-life citadel.

Owning a castle is also the mark that a knight is chivalrous, noble and has numerous wenches.

So if you harbor delusions of monarchy, how do you go about actually buying a castle? We turned to AOL Real Estate's Brett Wildness for help.

Click here to get started on your quest to castle glory ...


Step One -- Where to Find One

You have two main choices: 1) Search out an existing castle or 2) Build your own.

Most Western-style castles can be found in Europe, and according to Alexander V.G. Kraft, President of Sotheby's International France, the most popular regions are the Loire Valley and Burgundy regions of France.

Kraft, who is the author of an upcoming manual for the wealthy, "Living in Luxury," says a starter castle of about 4,000 square feet can be had for just under $1 million. On the other hand, a palace of 20,000 to 40,000 square feet -- with some serious acreage to boot -- can run you closer to $20-$30 million.

If you don't want to decamp to the land of haughty frogs, you can still build your own castle closer to home.

According to CastleMagic's Roger DeClements, there is serious demand for new citadels in space-friendly states like Texas, as well as further afield in Australia and the U.K. But building your own castle could cost you even more than an old one. A new castle costs approximately $325 per square foot and takes about twice as long as a normal new construction home to build. That doesn't even factor in the time it takes to customize your own throne.

Part 2 -- How to Make your Castle Liveable ...


How to Buy A Castle

    Walton Castle, Somerset, UK This castle, built in 1620, features eight bedrooms, a pool, maid's quarters and an ocean view. But according to Viviun.com, it would set you back around £4.5 million, or $9 million, to make it your own.

    http://www.viviun.com/AD-105928/

    The Chateau Chanzé is restored in renaissance style, surrounded by 5 hectares of its own ground and features a heated swimming pool. Located near Angers in France, this little baby will set you back 2.37 million Euro, or $3.3 million.

    http://castles.glo-con.com

    This restored medieval castle is apparently on sale in Spain, but the site carlosmorante-castles.com that advertises it is fairly light on details -- like price, number of bedrooms or how many ghosts live on the grounds. Looks pretty though.

    www.carlosmorante-castles.com

    This renovated castle is nestled in the kingdom of New Jersey, and has an asking price of $4.8 million. Built in 1902, Kip's Castle is a medieval-style mansion on 10.5 wooded acres overlooking the New York City skyline. Although built at the turn-of-the-century, Kip's Castle and the surrounding property been immaculately preserved and successfully converted.

    Viviun.com

    According to the listing on Viviun.com, this is a 500-year-old tower and olive oil mill, 70 miles from Dubrovnik in Croatia. Judging by the power lines and street lamps, it's probably not the idyllic countryside wilderness that you're expecting.

    Viviun.com

    This moated castle near Munich in Germany features more than 20 bedrooms and will cost you $2.3 million Euro, or about $3.29 million. Alligators are not included.

    Viviun.com

    This is a restored and, presumably, inordinately expensive castle in Brittany, France.

    Cabinet Martin SIR

    Many owners and buyers of castles hold their privacy very dear, so you won't be able to just walk into your local real estate agent and order one up. Sometimes you need to do a little digging.

    Cabinet Martin SIR

    What's a castle without two football-pitch sized gardens sitting out front?

    Cabinet Martin SIR

    If that moat goes all around the castle, then this little chateau in Burgundy, France, may have found itself a buyer.

    Sotheby's International Realty