By the way we only visited two castles on this trip so you will not the castled-out ! (two castles, two cathedrals and one museum, that is all the culture)
A rather damp looking day – but things have to be done so we set off.
Caught the train to Moselkern but unfortunately took it in the wrong direction, ….. an extra adventure. Back on track and off at Moselkern. It was a wet and unexpectedly long walk to Berg Eltz Castle. The tourist information in town had given very incorrect information. There are two routes to the castle, one where you drive and walk a shortish distance, there is no station near by. The other, which we took was first a sealed road for 4km, then a winding and by now very wet path through the woods. Did not see any bears, wolves or boars. Actually a very enjoyable walk through forest, I could imagine the old children’s stories taking place here, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding-hood and all those other scary stories with wolves and witches. And of course Asterix and the Goths and all those boars.
The castle is suddenly visible as you walk over the top of a rise and is rather magnificent, set in such a forested area. We arrived at the castle rather wet, but not cold. We walked up steps and into the castle area where all the facilities a tourist might need where there. We paid the money and waited a short time in the courtyard to join the English Tour. The castle is still privately owned. An interesting tour but no photography. There was someone in our groups who brought their dog in a backpack on the tour – really !
Here are some pictures of some of the details. Most where taken in the courtyard which shows many generations of building and style. So very different to English Castles.
Pictures of more details of the castle.
We had an enjoyable late lunch on the ramparts
We left the castle while clouds were building. As we walked back through we were treated to a great thunderstorm with flashing lightening and pouring rain – all while walking through, by now, dark forest. Much thoughts about bears, wolves and boars (there are warnings about the boars) It was an exciting walk, but not really the thing one expects in Europe.
Luckily a taxi was dropping people off at the end of the road and we got a lift for E10 back to the station.
We had a German meal at a local pub with some local wine, very pleasant
Berg Eltz Castle was great, all the elements of a real castle