Foto: Harburg Castle (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Germany - Around ten o’clock we drive into the parking lot at the castle. It’s raining. According to the weather forecast, it will dry up soon. With the umbrella, we walk to the entrance gate of the 11th-century castle. Here we buy a ticket for the castle courtyard. Upon entering the castle, the rain also stops. The origins of the complex date back to the 11th century. In the centuries since, the castle has been further expanded. The inner castle consists of six towers connected by thick high walls. The walls of the outer castle are considerably lower. Inside the castle are various rooms, a chapel, and a prison. These spaces are only accessible via a guided tour. We join the 11 o’clock tour. The tour starts in the castle church. The small Baroque church was built and decorated in its current form in the 18th century. In the middle of the church, a staircase leads to the crypt, which is closed to visitors. From the walkway on the castle wall, we have a beautiful view of the entire castle. Carefully, the sun begins to break through a little. Some towers formerly served as prisons. Prisoners were locked in primitive cells. In the other towers, halls have been restored. Nowadays, these halls are used for weddings and parties. The tour ends in the Hunters’ Hall, a room with weapons and trophies of the castle lord.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Germany - Neuschwanstein in Bavaria is a castle in the village of Hohenschwangau, built in the second half of the 19th century by order of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It is Ludwig II’s most famous building and with about 1.3 million visitors per year, one of Germany’s ...
Old Dresden on the Elbe
Germany - With the map in hand, we walk into Dresden. On the map, the first thing we see is the baroque Zwinger Palace. The Zwinger was built in the 15th century in the space between the fortress walls. From the large courtyard of the complex with fountains, we ...
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Germany - Within the city walls of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, every street is a sight to see. Old houses with typical German half-timbered construction. We enter the old town through the Galgentor gate. Via a narrow staircase, we climb onto the city wall here. From ...
St Martins Cathedral of Mainz
Germany - Mainz Cathedral, officially the St. Martin’s Cathedral, is one of the most important religious buildings in Germany and is located in the center of the historic city of Mainz on the Rhine. Construction of the cathedral began in 975 under Archbishop ...
The Berlin Wall
Germany - From here, we walk to the Oberbaum Bridge. This original bridge was once part of the city wall. Later, the bridge was rebuilt further east. The bridge has two levels: one for regular traffic and a higher level for the railway. Rightly, this bridge is ...
The Cathedral of Ottobeuren
Germany - In Ottobeuren stands the Benedictine monastery and cathedral of Ottobeuren. From a distance, we already see the enormous cathedral. Upon entering the church, we are overwhelmed by the beautiful interior. The Baroque church is lavishly decorated with paintings, ...
The Gothic Cologne Cathedral
Germany - We begin at the Cologne Cathedral. The enormous cathedral is impossible to miss. In 1164, Archbishop von Dassel brought relics of the Three Kings—the three wise men—and donated them to the church. These relics turned the church into a true place of ...
The halftimbered houses of Monschau
Germany - The Bed and Breakfast is located right in the center of Monschau. Everywhere stand the typical half-timbered houses. It feels as if time has stood still here. We wander through the streets. The old center of Monschau isn’t very large, but every street ...
The historic town of Dinkelsbuhl
Germany - Dinkelsbühl is a beautiful medieval town in southern Germany, located in the state of Bavaria. It is a town with a rich history dating back to the 8th century. The town has preserved its medieval character and is known for its beautiful architecture ...
The Old Town Hall of Bamberg
Germany - The Alte Rathaus (Old Town Hall) of Bamberg is an iconic building that seems to stand in the middle of the Regnitz river. It is one of the most photographed and well-known sights of the town and is an example of the region’s unique architecture. The ...
The Reichstag in Berlin
Germany - In the evening, we walk to the Reichstag. We have tickets to visit the glass dome of the Reichstag at eight o’clock. First, there is a strict security check, like at the airport. We are allowed through. A staff member escorts us to the elevator. At ...
The Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam
Germany - After about 45 minutes, we arrive in the Berlin suburb. At the parking lot near Sanssouci Palace, we are among the first visitors. The palace opens its doors at ten o’clock. We have tickets for the first time slot of the day, which gives us time for ...