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Published: April 23rd 2019
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Today we rendezvoused with our dear friend from back home, Danielle, and her lifelong German friend (more like family), Sigi. For the past two weeks, Danielle has been staying with Sigi, who lives not far from Heidelberg in the town of Plankstadt. Sigi, who celebrated her 78th birthday on Easter, graciously offered to drive the three of us to the nearby town of Neckargemünd to visit Bergfeste Dilsburg, the ruins of a fortress dating back to the 12th-century.
It was but a short drive from Heidelberg before we reached our destination, where Sigi dropped us off to return later in the afternoon. The Dilsberg fortress ruins (Burgfeste Dilsberg) occupy a prominent position on a hilltop overlooking the Neckar river valley, near the picturesque former imperial city of Neckargemünd. Built around 1150 by the counts of Lauffen, Dilsberg passed into the possession of the electoral palatinate in the 14th-century, and was granted city rights in 1347.
According to
Wikipedia, the castle was regarded as virtually impregnable, until it was eventually occupied by imperial forces under Count Tilly in the Thirty Years’ War, after a long siege. In 1633, the fortress was taken again, this time by the Swedes. However, despite
these defeats and some fierce battles, Dilsberg was never successfully stormed by attackers, nor was it destroyed.
In 1799, French forces tried and failed to storm the castle. A 46-meter-deep (125-feet) well helped keep the defenders supplied with water during this assault. In the 19th-century, the castle fell into disrepair, and was used as quarry. By the early 20th-century, however, the ruins became an increasingly popular tourist attraction, and were ultimately restored and partially reconstructed.
Today, several hundred people still live in quaint, tiny houses that surround the castle ruins. We strolled along the cobblestone streets of this picturesque little village, shortly reaching the castle ruins. Danielle (who also climbed the spiral staircase to reach the ramparts of the castle) and Dee paid the small admission fee to enter the castle grounds, while I remained on the outside to take some photos.
After touring the castle, we enjoyed a nice lunch at the Gasthaus Zur Sonne, a combination guesthouse and restaurant within the walls of this tiny village. Dee ordered a steak, Danielle some Wienerschnitzel, and I tried a veal dish with mushrooms in cream sauce. Once again, portions tended to be gargantuan in size, but everything
was excellent, including the salads.
Dee and I have commented in our past travels throughout Europe, and Danielle concurs, about the greens, vegetables and virtually all produce being so much fresher and tastier over here than back in the USA. Today's salads were classic examples...simply delicious.
Truth be told, almost EVERYTHING in Europe is superior to our USA counterparts--from bread and butter, to meat and poultry--in terms of quality, freshness and taste. The European Union receives much criticism about its bureaucratic maze of rules and regulations with regard to agricultural policies, but to our taste buds, the food chain over here may be the better for it.
We met Sigi at 3:00 PM, whereupon she drove us back to Heidelberg. Danielle returns to the USA tomorrow morning, but we're hoping to see our new friend Sigi again before we leave next week.
Dee's Comments: Up early, what a wonderful day, with sunshine, pleasant breezes and the birds chirping! We met Danielle and her lovely friend Sigi, who picked-us up at the end of our street for the short ride to visit Dilsberg castle, an old fortress on a hill above the Neckar river. The castle itself
is located within the walls of a tiny village, where about 300 people still reside. I read that Mark Twain paid a visit here back in the 1870s, writing about it in his book
Tramp Abroad.
Everything in the village was quiet, serene and hilly. Our lunch was wonderful, and as Mitch discussed above, everything seems to taste better over here (bread, butter, fresh greens, fresh fruit, etc.). We paid a brief visit to the Tourist Information office in Heidelberg, where Sigi dropped us off, and then returned to our apartment. We were so tired, and full from lunch, that we skipped dinner entirely, and were in bed early. It was great fun seeing Danielle, and meeting Sigi for the very first time!
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Jeni
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Views and charm and an amazing history lesson
Mitch, I love the history you provide! Such a charming place and I just can’t get enough of the castles! Love the photos especially the one of Dee and Danielle and what I fist thought was Dee sucking on a large hookah pipe! ?