Summer 2007 - Day 7

Day 7

Back to visiting castles. First stop, Lichtenstein Castle. Lichtenstein castle is a fairy tale castle built on a steep rock overlooking the Echaz Valley. It was constructed between 1840 and 1842 by Count Wilhelm of Urach. Its name, Lichtenstein, means light stone.

On the tour of the castle we couldn't take photos inside. We saw a musket that used to take 2 men to fire it and it could only fire 3 shots per hour.

There was also the world's longest champagne glass. This glass was over 6 feet tall and needed 3 people to use it. One person to hold the glass, one person to drink and one person to hold the drinker.

We saw the painting of the "Crossbow Archer of Lichtenstein". Whereever you stand in the room the archer is looking at you.

After Lichtenstein castle we next visited Hohenzollern Castle which sits atop an 855 metre hill.

The original castle, thought to have been built early 11 th century, was completely destroyed in an 18 month siege in 1423. A second castle was then built in 1454. Owners of the castle changed frequently and the castle was eventually used as a military base by the Austrians. By the end of the 18 th century the castle had fallen into ruin.

The castle was then rebuilt around 1819 and, over the years, was filled with works of art and memorabilia of Prussia and its rulers.

Maintaining the castle, even today, represents a bit of a challenge as the castle stand on the "Zollern Trench". This is one of Germany's most dangerous earthquake regions. An earthquake occurred in 1978 which caused millions in damage.

Castle Courtyard.

As usual, we couldn't take photos inside the castle.

During the tour of the castle we heard the legend of the "White Lady". Agnes wanted to marry the Prince who told her that "4 eyes" stood in the way of their marriage. She assumed that he meant her 2 children. So she killed them. The Prince was so horrified by what she had dome that he called off the wedding.

He had, in fact, been referring to her parents. She also realized the mistake she had made and joined a convent. Upon her death she began to haunt the castle. I believe the "White Lady" is a bit of a regular haunter of castles around the place.

Went inside St Michael's chapel which was consecrated in 1461.

Saint George slaying the dragon.

Our next stop was the town of Nordlingen where we saw St Georg's Church with the Daniel Tower. The church dates from the 15th century and if you want to climb the 350 steps to the top of the tower, then you do get a nice view.

We finished touring for the day and spent the night in Ingolstadt.