h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

... is full of castles, isn't it ? So, where are you Germans (what about Burg Rheinfels!?!), French (along the Loire) Danes and Belgians.... Thank you, Bossel, for your "Neuschwanstein"-hint at http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/F78715?thread=159256 . ) Personally I would like to name another German castle, namely "Burg Altena" (Altena Castle or Castle of Altena). Burg Altena served as the headquarters for the "Markgraf Engelbert" (Count Engelbert of the Mark). "Mark" here is not the "March of Brandenburg" but some kind of border area, namely the one east of the bishopric of Cologne. If I remeber correctly, Engelbert was also King of Corse. Later, I think in the middle of the 19th century, this castle was the place in which the World's First Youth Hostel was founded by Richard Schirrmann - I hope that this information is correct. Today - the castle is of medium to small size - it serves as museum for local history of the "County of the Mark". The area, situated in the western part of the "Sauerland" (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A460144 for more inforation) is called "Maerkischer Kreis" in honour of that part of history. Furthermore there is a major musical event, called "Burg-Rock" o/~, taking place every year at Burg Altena. One of the better known bands to play there in the past decade was "Toto". While "Toto" represents mainstream the Burg-Rock is rather a festival of independant music of a harder level, however. HP �--.

There are lots along the border between Germany and France in the Palatinate and Alsace. I have mentioned them in my entry on the Palatinate. I would particularly recommend Ruine Bärwartstein and Trifels. There is lots to say about those two - will come up with info later, when I've found out where.

Of course, you should not forget the fairy tale castle of Neuschwanstein, but I've not been there. Bossel and Jeremy most likely have, as they come from there, but any tourist to Bavaria or Austria should not miss it out.

Then there are some lovely palaces in places like Berlin, and the East of Germany is also opening up its treasures again. Yelbakk and AXR will have to help us out with them.

Will do some research on my two tonight and, as I can't post the URLs here, will copy the text - or, if necessary, translate it.

And Hi! Holle Polle - Prost Neujahr!!

Same to you, TC!

Gut reingerutscht?

HP
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I remember Heidelburg castle as being rather nice. but you need money for the loos.
and remember to take a camera because there are some nice views on a clear day
FABT

Lots of old castles in southern Germany that have been restyled in romantic way during the 19th century. Not as mad as Ludwig II. of Bavaria, the local aristocracy just added unnecessary towers, turrets, bows or bridges to the medieval buildings or ruins. One example is the castle of Sigmaringen, which is nicely placed on a rock over the upper Danube. It shows lots of neo-Gothic / neo-Renaissance and so on styles at once. The inner is not less tasteful. There is still a lot of stuff collected during the centuries, like knight's armour, blunderbusses, kitschy 19th century portrait busts or paintings, and hundreds of hunting trophies. Since the castle is only accessible on a guided tour (about 4 EUR), the weirdest thing is that the guides seem to be very proud on all this, and even on the fact that the "government" of Vichy-France resided here.

Right - here comes a translation of a bit about Trifels which I found easily on searching:

As it is a translation, it can't be taken away by the moderators.

The Emperor's castle of Trifels is the most formal of the forts from the Staufer period, and is situated on the highest of three mountains - all with castles - above the small town of Annweiler (this is near Landau in the Palatinate - the translator) The mountain (Sonnenberg = sun mountain) is 494 m above sea level and 310 m above Annweiler, and is built on a rock which has two clefts, therefore looks like three rocks, hence the name : Trifels (three rocks, if you mix the Latin and the German). It became the treasury and was a safe keeping place for crown jewels of the Holy Roman Empire. It also served as a prison. The locals claim to this day that Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned there from 1193-1194 and that this was where Blondel rescued him, but there is no proof of this.

(Some English friends were once visiting and wondered at this this. On their return they rang the History Faculty at Oxford University and no one had ever heard of Trifels there. )

The castle is open from April to September from 9.00 to 18.00 hrs and in the winter from 9.00 to 17.00 hours, and is shut in December.

It has a large knight's meeting, dining or ball room which is used for concerts (classical chamber music mainly). It is surrounded by woods and, of course, you can get a meal there, having hiked through the woods to get to it.

The prices I found are in D-Marks - for an adult only 5 DM.

Be prepared to climb millions of steps, once you have climbed the hill to get to it!

More on other - even nicer - castles coming up.

I have been to Neuschwanstein and as long as you don't mind walking up and down a lot of stairs it is highly recommendable, if only for the throne room, which - despite not being finished - is an amazing site. Your guide should tell you to look at the ceiling anyway but in case he/she forgets please, please remember to do so - it is worth the long walk up the hill. And besides when you’re finished you know you can only go down hill.

Let me add

"Schloss Neuenhoff" (Castle New Court).

It is situated in the town of Lüdenscheid, Sauerland. The owners are still the original aristocrats, named "Freiherr und Freifrau von Busche-Kessel", who still live in their castle. They run a wood shop for outdoor application and a pretty exclusive wine shop.
The pretty small castle is located in a very small valley of a very little creek. The building is surrounded by a water trench (right term for "Wassergraben"?). Along the valley there are some minor buildings belonging to the castle, such as a barn and a mill.

HP
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"Wassergraben" is a moat.

dankju


HP
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