R&R on the Rhine - Viking Bestla
R&R on the Rhine - Amsterdam
R&R on the Rhine - Kinderdijk
R&R on the Rhine - Cologne
R&R on the Rhine - Marksburg Castle
R&R on the Rhine - Upper Rhine Valley
R&R on the Rhine - Rudesheim
R&R on the Rhine - Heidelberg Castle
R&R on the Rhine - Heidelberg and Speyer
R&R on the Rhine - Strasbourg
R&R on the Rhine - Black Forest
R&R on the Rhine - Colmar
R&R on the Rhine - Zurich Day 1
R&R on the Rhine - Zurich Day 2
R&R on the Rhine - Zurich to Memphis
Easter morning arrived in a blaze of glory. OK, I don't know that for sure since I wasn't awake at sunrise but it was a beautiful day. We docked in Koblenz and boarded motor coaches for Marksburg Castle. From where the ship is docked, we couldn't see the castle but could tell we were climbing a steep hill. Even from the parking lot, the trees obscured much of the view so it was quite the amazing site when we hiked up close enough that we could finally see it.
Marksburg Castle as viewed from the port in Braubach |
When you're a kid and you think about a castle what comes to mind? Large stone walls, small windows, circular towers/turrets with flags on top, the top of the walls crenellated and suited for shooting cannons or arrows, giant wooden doors, a torture dungeon, a moat and drawbridge are high on the list. Marksburg Castle has all of these except the moat and drawbridge. Frankly, it didn't need them, what with being up on top of a small mountain and all. Any invading troops would be worn out from the hike up - and indeed, it was never attacked during the countless wars through the centuries. It was even preserved during World War II as was not near enough to any major cities or military bases to be in danger. But it is strategically located on a bend in the river, a perfect place for collecting taxes on all the products being shipped up and down the river. Ostensibly the taxes were to help pay for keeping the tow paths clear on either side of the river, but the lords of various castles may have raised the "tax" a bit to pad their own pockets too.
Cannons over the Rhine |
Misbehave and you'll find yourself in the stocks |
Sample of how Marksburg's armor changed over the years |
Beautiful tapestry in the breakfast nook |
Large castle population = Large kitchen |
Huge kitchen table |
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