On our way to Hamm Germany,, we spied a castle over to the left of the freeway. Read the sign saying Greifenstein Castle 5 km's away, so we took the exit. This castle was built in the early 1200's and is a remarkable place. It is in ruins today but still has the existing bells that were made there. There is a museum that houses 50 of these bells, large and small. We wandered the extensive walk ways, which by the way, has the most unique pattern I have every seen. Within the walls is a Gothic church, a prison with all its torture tools, dual towers that can be reached by a spiral staircase, a horse mill with Royal stables and a Bulwark called "The cake". Here is a staircase that connects downwards between the castle and the village below.
The Castle was owned and rebuilt in the 1600's by Count Wilhelm I. There is a gun turret that leads outside the castle walls. There is also a restaurant today where the wine cellar use to be. Above the stables is the Palas which are ruins of a Medieval Knights Hall. The double towers were built about 1390 with round roofs called the Nassauerturm and the point at the top is called the Bruderturm. This place houses 3 bells. From up here you get a wonderful view of the countryside. The walls of the castle are 7 meters thick and its bulwark could spew flames with its guns, thus it is called, "The Dragon".
In the early days it was the residence of Elisabeth of Solms-Braunfels (who was the sister of William of Netherlands), during the time she was a widow. It took us 1 hour to see this entire castle. Be sure and take special note of the pattern on the walk ways.
No comments:
Post a Comment