Dillsberg

Winding along the Neckar River,

East of Heidelsburg,

we discovered a city on a hill

named Dillsberg.

Dillsberg has a castle ruin side by side

with beautiful German homes.

Cobblestone lines all the streets

of this small, historic town.

This town is walled in, and has a city gate.

Heidelburg

Heidelburg Castle, though in ruins, is still beautiful.

Lit up at night, it seems like something from a fairy tale.

Heidelburg lies along the winding Neckar River.

The views overlooking the city are stunning.

The castle was built up and lived in from the 13th to 16th century.

There is a museum with many treasures.

They say this bridge was bombed by Hitler... but they anticipated that. They numbered all the bricks on it so they could put it back together again.

Double click on the panorama for a full screen view!

http://www.heidelberg-schloss.de/ (Castle Website in English)

http://www.heidelberg.de/servlet/PB/menu/1088101_l2/index.html (City of Heidelburg)

Luxembourg Remembers

During our visits to Luxembourg, we have discovered a sense of gratefulness to the United States Military for the sacrifices made during WW II.
Early one morning, we attended a dedication of a memorial to a US pilot downed in WWII in a Luxembourg field. His remains were found only recently.
The mass conducted inside the church was even televised and attended by one of the ministers of the government.
Reenactors of WWII were present with vehicles maintained in top condition.
There was a solemnity to the occasion.

United States Air Force Officers give one final salute at the memorial site.

General Patton is buried at the American Military Cemetery in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg is a beautiful, hilly country. We are so glad to be close enough to visit often.

Burg Eltz

We had a lovely fall day to visit Burg Eltz. We loved this castle better than any we've seen so far.

This castle is unusual in that you park at the top of a hill and walk down a steep winding road to the castle. Most are built at the top of a hill.

Building began in 1160, added to over the years. It is nicely preserved. It has been lived in for over 800 years by the same family.

There is a lovely tour inside through about 10 rooms. There is a museum with artifacts. There is an extra cost. It is worth it.

They say it is well preserved because the family always kept good alliances with those in power. We saw a bunch of large round stones just inside the castle wall. We found out those had been catapulted into it during a 5 year siege from 1331 to 1336.

It was easy to imagine knights sword fighting

And young maidens in long dresses staring out the tower windows at the action...

http://www.burg-eltz.de/e_index.html

Himmerod Abbey

In the center of the Eifel region, we find this restored Monastery that dates back hundreds of years. It was destroyed during the 1800s and restored after WW II.

The chapel is a quiet place to meditate and pray. Occasionally there are organ concerts.

The dark, detailed woodwork is very beautiful.


There is an apple orchard with benches. We like to come on Sunday afternoon

The monks raise and sell smoke fish, and also have a vineyard which produces a fine wine. They also have a bookstore, a museum and a restaurant.

http://www.kloster-himmerod.de/ (German Webpage)