Castles along the Neckar Valley
Along the Neckar valley you’ll find a wealth of castles and ruins that line the river like pearls of medieval architectural monuments. The construction of castles and fortified towns goes back primarily to the Hohenstaufen kings, who secured their imperial territory on the lower Neckar from the early 13th century.
Burg Hohenecken
The face of Hohenecken Castle has not changed much in its almost 700-year history between its construction around 1200 and its destruction in 1688. It still appears as a fortified castle built during the Staufer period with Hohenecken Castle 2017 characteristic features such as keep, shield wall, humpback ashlar, palace, kennel and neck moat. One family was able to hold on to the castle until it was sold to Duke Charles IV of Lorraine in 1668: The lordship of Hoheneck.
Romantic Lorsch Abbey
Lorsch Abbey – Chances are, you’ve often passed within a couple of miles of it on Highway 5 or 67 between Weinheim or Mannheim and Darmstadt without noticing the Lorsch turn-off. Yet, at one time, the abbey here was one of the most important establishments in Europe. But that, as the saying goes, was way back in the mists of time. In Lorsch, old really does mean very old indeed. A small but nonetheless wonderful building that goes back over 1,200 years.
On the trail of “Mad King Ludwig”
Neuschwanstein Castle. © GNTB/Francesco Carovillano
Storybook castles and an eccentric King Ludwig, picturesque landscapes and Germany’s highest mountain create an itinerary not to be missed.
With its satisfying combination of snow-tipped mountains, forests, valleys and lakes, Upper Bavaria boasts some of the loveliest landscapes to be found anywhere in Europe. Yet it required the weird and wonderful personality of Ludwig II of Bavaria to provide the last touches that transformed it into an enchanted land, the authentic Disneyland that attracts millions of tourists each year.
Kellerlabyrinth Oppenheim
The Oppenheimer cellar labyrinth – An adventure for the whole family.
Weather independent, open all year and an experience for the whole family. This is how 1000 years of history present themselves. Under the feet of the visitors of the Oppenheimer old town is a worth seeing historical treasure of national importance: The unique Oppenheimer cellar labyrinth presents each year about 30 000 guests with history and stories.
Rocking Out Together – On The Road
Volvo Cars of North America’s list of the all-time greatest summer road trip songs.
Despite high gas prices, many families will still embark on the classic American road trip this summer. Nothing passes the time during a long car trip like cranking up the stereo with timeless tunes. To help you and your family or friends endure hours in the car, Volvo has assembled a list of the all-time greatest summer road trip songs.
A Frenchman, Charles de Graimberg, saved the Heidelberg Castle ruins
Charles de Graimberg came to Heidelberg in 1810 to make copperplate engravings of the castle ruins and the town – and remained in Heidelberg until his death in 1864. Back then, he was shocked to discover that the people of Heidelberg were using the ruins as a quarry for their houses and the castle garden as a potato field. Furthermore, a contract had already been signed with a demolition company.
He campaigned for the preservation of the ruins with personal commitment and his own money, paid guards, even took up residence in the castle and his copperplate engravings made Heidelberg known to a broad public. He was successful.
And so, thanks to Charles de Graimberg, we can still marvel at this world-famous symbol of Romanticism today.
Matthäus Merian in Heidelberg
Matthäus Merian’s city views are still popular today. The prints characterized by their richness of detail are among the oldest views of the castle and the old town as well as the surrounding countryside. In one of his major works, the “Topographia Germaniae”, the engraver and publisher depicted Heidelberg Castle in its heyday. The artist was born in Basel on September 22, 1593.