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Once upon a time in Germany…

By A. Anthony Mastracchio

Once upon a time in Germany the past was still alive, as evidenced by the seemingly unending number of castles, secluded palaces and magnificent royal residences, still standing and awaiting visitors. A variety of fairy tales, myths and legends are connected to each castle many of which are perched on mountainsides and hilltops. Others, surround the low-lying plains, picturesquely reflected in the waters of lakes, rivers and moats. These ancient ruins hold a magical quality which affects all visitors by enveloping the beholder in an atmosphere of days long past.

These castles were built as strongholds, with observation towers, parapet walks and battlements from which panoramic views of the countryside below can be seen. Close your eyes and imagine young princes, knights and damsels walking about these castles in a Brother’s Grimm fairy tale of sword and sorcery.

Sadly, as the Middle Ages drew to a close the era of the castle was coming to a close. It was now the 16th century and the nobility had begun yearning for something more elegant thus the castle gave way to royal palaces with luxuriously appointed rooms and extensive palace grounds. The high society of the day liked to stroll leisurely past the pavilions and small temples entering into little liaisons, dangerous or not. Today the castles and royal palaces dating from the different periods in German History give the countryside its own unmistakable identity.

The Burgenstrasse is Germany’s Castle Route, one of the countries best known tourist attractions, and the one most richly steeped in tradition. Originally established in 1954, it now runs from Mannheim via Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nuremberg, Bayreuth and Karlovy Vary to the Czech Republic capital city of Prague. The route is almost 1000 kilometers long, 600 miles, and is flanked by more than 70 castles and other stately homes. Each castle is different in regards to history, location and style but they all have one thing in common - they are worth a visit.

Some of the highlights are Heidelberg and a visit to Schwetzingen Palace, which was built in 1743 and later became the elector’s summer palace. Heidelberg is also world famous for its picturesque Old Town with its winding streets steeped in history. Hirschorn castle was begun in 1200 and completed in 1586 and is today a fine restaurant and hotel. The town of Bad Wimpflen offers half-timbered buildings and medieval fortifications while the city has an ancient feel with the natural saline springs making the town a wellness center. The baroque Heinsheim castle was built in1730 and today is used for romantic weddings. Guttenberg Castle is one of the few castles that has remained occupied and untouched since the middle ages. For more than 550 years the Gemmingen Family has been living and managing this castle. The current owner is Baron von Gemmingen. This one is a must see! The town of Rothenburg, which is complete with ancient city wall and gates exactly as it was in the Middle Ages is home to Colomberg Castle, which dates back almost 1000 years. The town of Bayreuth is famous for the Richard Wagner festival.

All of the cities, towns and castles along the castle road have something to offer, however for something truly historical, which will leave you with an impression not easy to forget may I recommend a visit to Nuremberg. Nuremberg is a modern city with old world charm. It is actually considered a medieval city and the Kaiserburg Castle, which towers majestically over the Old Town attests to that. However, this is not what makes a visit to Nuremberg unique. During WW II the Nuremberg rallies were the center of The Third Reich so it was only fitting that the war crimes trials should be held there. The courthouse where these trials were held is still there, but tourist are few and far between at this historical site.  The war crimes trials began in 1948 and ended on April 14, 1949 and of the 99 people convicted and sentenced to life in prison not one finished out his sentence. The final and enduring message that remains from the Nuremberg Trails is simple - People as a whole are not evil, only individual leaders are.

Photos by Rita Cook

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