If it's one thing I love...it's a great castle! This one is definitely in my top 10 list of Fantastic European Castles. This is
Vianden Castle in Vianden, Luxembourg.
You might have seen Vianden Castle aready, without even realizing it. She's quite famous. She has been featured in several movies, such as
Georges and the Dragon, with Patrick Swayze,
Shadow of the Vampire, with John Malkovich, and
Sherlock Holmes, with Morgan Fairchild and Christopher Lee.
Doesn't this tower look like the one that Repunzel lived in? If so, she had some seriously long hair. I'm just saying.
Vianden Castle was built between the 11th and 14th centuries. Like most castles of this time frame, each inhabitant made it just a little bit bigger. Until the 15th century, it was home to the counts of Vianden, who were related to both the Royal Family of France, and the German Imperial court.
This is the Arms Hall.
Another view of the Arms Hall.
This is a set of chainmail from Arezzo, Italy. It was made in the 14th century, and is extremely heavy.
This is the view from the Lower Chapel, looking up into the upper one.
The castle overlooks the town of Vianden in the valley below.
The inner courtyard and surrounding rooms were heavily damaged by lightening in 1667, but were later repaired.
The Byzantine Gallery was one of my favorite rooms. Just imagine having lunch here on a sunny summer afternoon. It was a little bit chilly today, but just as beautiful.
The Upper Chapel was dedicated to St. Anthony, and was the first church of Vianden. Before that, the closest church was the Basilica of Roth, Germany. The chapel is in a ten-sided tower of the castle.
The castle bedroom was very pretty.
Here is a peek into the Grand Kitchen. It's a little known fact that flat screen tv's were quite common in castles. Obviously only the Royals could afford them, but they came in quite handy for keeping the kitchen staff entertained while preparing those enormous royal feasts.
Just up the stairs from the kitchen, is the Dining Hall.
This is the large cellar. It is currently used as a dining hall during the Medieval Festival.
Sadly, we had to bid good-bye to beautiful Vianden Castle and head toward home. We just had to take one more look back at her before we left the valley. She is breath taking, isn't she? When I win the lottery, I'm building myself a castle. If you are very,
very nice, I'll let you come and visit me. I'd better start researching. I need to buy some property on top of a mountain in Texas...
Sadly, we had to bid good-bye to beautiful Vianden Castle and head toward home. We just had to take one more look back at her before we left the valley. She is breath taking, isn't she? When I win the lottery, I'm building myself a castle. If you are very, very nice, I'll let you come and visit me. I'd better start researching. I need to buy some property on top of a mountain in Texas...
Once upon a time, approximately 5,000 year ago, people first settled on the banks of the Mosel River. Over the years, the settlement grew. The best forms of income for nobility at this time were tolls, so Adalbero of Luxemburg added a toll station for the Mosel ferry here. Around 993, he built a castle and named it after his favorite animal, the bear. (He had a bear on his coat of arms.) Over the years, "Barenkastel" became "Bernkastle". Across the river, the community of Kues was also growing. Eventually, the names of these lovely towns were hyphenated into one...and now you have 
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Bernkastle-Kues one day, do what this lovely Princess and Prince did. Hop on this 
Landshut Castle. Unfortunately, the original structure of Barenkastell was destroyed by Adalbero's rival in 1017. A second structure was built here around 1200, but was burnt down by Archbishop John I not long after that. The third time's the charm, though, and Landshut Castle was built in 1277. 
It sits quietly, nestled in the vinyards and overlooking it's domain. 
Is this a view, or what? 
Bernkastel is on the right bank of the Mosel River, and Kues is on the left. All of the land on the right bank of the river is covered with vinyards. 
This lovely inn is hidden within the castle walls. It's a perfect place to enjoy a nice lunch and look out over the valley. In our case, it was the perfect place to warm up with cappucino and hot chocolate! After exploring the castle for a while, we hopped back in out magical carriage and descended to check out the town below. 
Don't you just love this hotel? It sits on the Kues side of the Mosel River, and when you stay there, you can spend your days watching the swans glide by or gazing up at Landshut Castle. It's a tough life, but I think you can do it. Oh, by the way, if you are a webcam fan like Dad, be sure to check out their 
Just a short walk from the river, through narrow cobblestone streets, and you soon find yourself in the Marketplace.
This is the Town Hall. 
This area is home to the Middle Mosell Wine Festival in September, and Medievil Christmas Markets in November and December. 
I spotted a giant just off the market square! Watch out, kids! He looks hungry! 
The lovely princess is standing in front of Spitzhauschen. It's an extremely narrow house that was built in 1583. Each story juts out just a little bit more than the one below it. 
The kids have a break from school this week, so we decided to head out and have some fun. We had such a great time when we took a "vacation" to 
How would you like to wake up to this view each morning? Amazing, huh? I must say, Heidelberg was a LOT bigger than I thought it would be. It runs along both sides of the 
The original part of Heidelberg Castle was built around 1300, but it wasn't used as a regal residence until the reign of Prince Elector Ruprecht in 1398. It remained a residence for most of the Prince Electors until it was destroyed by lightening in 1764. 
After lightening made the castle inhabitable, the locals started using the stones to build new houses. This went on until around 1800, when Count Charles 
This is the inner courtyard of the castle. 
Just around the corner to the right, is an Apothecary Museum. It was very interesting to see the history of the pharmacy throughout the ages. Each room represented a different time frame. 
I thought the golden dragon downspout was amazing. 
Jess was more impressed with this little beauty. 
This is someone that you might not want to mess with. Look at those arms! (We won't even mention the head. Ouch!)
This is the view back toward the entrance of the inner courtyard. The doorway is that arch under the clock tower.
