While there, we first visited the Herkules monument. It is a copper statue built between 1701 and 1717 in recognition of the Greek demigod Hercules. The monument resides in a large park, the Wilhelmshöhe Bergpark. Hercules sits atop a pyramid and then an octagon structure. At the base of the structure begins the large water feature.
It's a family site ya know!
When we visited, the water feature was turned off because of ongoing construction of the structure. However, I have found Youtube video of the water running and I'm sure it's amazing to see in real life.
Credit to CHWHF for this video
Most of the tour was dropped off at the top of the monument and we made our way down. Mike and a few of our companions opted to remain in the bus to meet up with us later. This was a good idea on Mike's part because I didn't see a ramp for him to use.
We did, however, manage to snag this picture. Far off in the background is the museum.
Here's a picture at the base of the monument.
At the base of the monument we walked a bit further through a small wood, which really made me feel like a character in one of Grimm's fairy tales, to Schloss Lowenburg.
Schloss Lowenburg was constructed by Wilhelm IX between 1793 and 1800. He constructed this castle to look like it had sustained battles and fighting, even though it never did. He wanted it to look like other castles throughout Germany, but without the nasty business of catapults and battering rams. On the outside it looks like a castle, but on the inside, it is decorated with fine Baroque details fitting with the custom of the time.
The castle keep and dungeon was partially destroyed during WWII fly overs. Over the years since then, portions of the structure have been rebuilt, but the keep remains in ruin.
We were given a tour of the rooms, which now hold armor from the time as well as furnishings and decorations from the era. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures to prevent against theft. Apparently some scoundrels took pictures of items, then delivered them to thieves who broke in and stole said item.
The nerd in me wants to mention that while walking the grounds, I was struck at how much this castle reminded me of the fictional castle of Ostagar from the Dragon Age: Origins video game.
Next up on our tour - the city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Wow! What a fabulous site and sight! Thank you for sharing!
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