Travel adventures - Germany - Hohentwiel

in #travelfeed6 years ago

Hohentwiel - the largest fortress ruin in Germany doesn't cease to amaze us. We've been there several times and we keep coming back whenever we have visitors staying with us or if we don't feel like driving for too long.

Yesterday was one of those days when we didn't want to stay at home but also didn't want to spend all day on the road. Hohentwiel is located in the Hegau region of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany and it takes us around 20 minutes to get there by car. It is a perfect place for a one day trip!

DSC_0103.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

It took us around 30 minutes to get from the parking to the fortress. It is a very steep hike but luckily there are a few spots where you can take a break and enjoy the views. The entrance fee to the fortress is EUR 4.50. Don't forget to get the ticket at the visitor center next to the parking place as this is the only place where you can get them. And you don't want to walk all the way back and forth again.

This part is called Galgenrain. The gallows were places here in the past. They were a visible sign of high jurisdiction of the owner of Hohentwiel and his right to judge the life and death. The conditions of the fortress were harsh and soldiers often deserted. If they could not be found, their names were slapped on the gallows which meant they would be executed by hanging as soon as they were found.

DSC_0013.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

Just a few meters away there was a flock of sheep.

DSC_0028.jpg
ISO 100 1/200 sec. f/9 18 mm

They were curious and started to slowly approach us...

DSC_0025.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

After a few seconds they lost their interest and continued eating. We saw a young man on the other side of the field - probably their shepherd. He must have said something because all of the sudden they all turned around and disappeared. It all went so fast! Isn't it amazing that so many sheep listen to one person?

DSC_0022.jpg
ISO 100 1/250 sec. f/9 28 mm

We continued up the hill until we reached The Alexandertor and The Tunnel. This way to the fortress was also used in the past. It is not known when exactly it was built but most likely between 16th and 18th century.

We made it and finally reached the fortress that was a few meters further up.

Hohentwiel is one of the many volcanic formations of the Hegau region. It was an ideal vantage points for fortresses and other structures in the past. The first castle was built on Hohentwiel in 914.

DSC_0045.jpg
ISO 100 1/250 sec. f/9 18 mm

It has a rich history. During 10th and 11th century it was used by Swabian Duke. In 13th century the fortress was owned by lords of Klingenberg and it was used as a usual knight's castle. Luckily, in 16th century under Duke Ulrich of Württemberg it became the Württemberg gem in the midst of Austrian sovereignty. In 1801, the French emperor Napoleon ordered that Hohentwiel be destroyed.

DSC_0133.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

The lower fortress was entered through The Eugentor . It formed a first defense bastion. Here were always the most important utilities: storage and quarters, doctor's house and pharmacy, winery, sutler, iron smith, cisterns and bakery. The further transport to the upper fortress was done by donkeys and horses.

DSC_0046.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

Take your time, walk around and imagine the fortress before it was destroyed.

DSC_0136.jpg
ISO 100 1/200 sec. f/9 18 mm

DSC_0053.jpg
ISO 100 1/250 sec. f/9 18 mm

Yes, we will be climbing up again 😊

DSC_0055.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

This is the most enjoyable part of the fortress as it's flat 😊

DSC_0059.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

Are you ready to climb up the bumpy cobble - stone path? You can't see it very well on the photo, but it is a very steep path. As each stone is of different size and it is difficult to walk there it is important to have good shoes. Before we reached the top, my husband hurt his knee and we had to stop for a while. He couldn't walk very well for the rest of the day but luckily his knee doesn't hurt today.

DSC_0050.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

This is the Schmittefelsen which was an important defense point because from here you can see the vast surrounding with neighboring hills of Hohenstoffen, Hohenkrähen and Hohenhewen.

DSC_0069.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

Here was The Hauptmannsturm in the past. It was home of Kommandant Konrad Widerhold who was well knows for his defense of fortress Hohentwiel during the Thirty years' war.

DSC_0074.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

The church was consecrated in 1645 and the church tower, which is the tallest building on Hohentwiel, was rebuilt in 1845 when the first observation deck was constructed.

DSC_0078.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

Can you see the hill in the middle?

As I mentioned before the region is called Hegau and it is an extraordinary region because of its topography. There are nine completely harmless relics of volcanic activity that took place 14 million years ago. This one is called Hohenkrähen. Such landscape is unusual for Germany and there are lots of tourist coming here each day to climb up the 'volcanos'.

DSC_0081.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

Let's go back to Hohentwiel. There are still many things to see before we reach the tower.

DSC_0084.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

Once you reach the upper level of the fortress you will realize that you can see the tower from everywhere - a perfect meeting point in case somebody gets 'lost' in this huge complex.

DSC_0085.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

In the past people thought that The Langen Baus was the ruin of former monastery St. Georg that was here in 10th century. However now we know that the building is from 16th century. There were stables on the ground floor and rooms for officers on the upper floors.

DSC_0092.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

Once we walk up the stairs we will reach the level with school, rectory, manufacture of barrels, arsenal and the Duke's castle.

DSC_0095.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

But first, let's take a break, eat a snack and enjoy the views of the volcanic region...

DSC_0108.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/10 18 mm

This is a part of Duke's castle. I like that window on the lower floor.

DSC_0114.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

We are finally coming to the tower. Behind this tunnel there is a courtyard with the church tower. Let's have a look.

DSC_0116.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

My husband didn't want to go there as his knee was still hurting so I went up on my own. I spent there only a minute as there were many bees flying around and they didn't seem to be happy. They didn't get that the flowers don't grow on the tower! Duh!?

DSC_0121.jpg
ISO 100 1/200 sec. f/9 18 mm

I looked around and went back downstairs. Of course I took some photos too. This is the Duke's castle - can you see that window from the other photo?

DSC_0124.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

The right side of the castle with some volcanoes in the back.

DSC_0125.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

This is Singen with lake Constance in the back. When there are not clouds in the mountains you can see the Swiss Alps too. I was not lucky today.

DSC_0126.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

DSC_0127.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

This is the highway to Stuttgart. We drive there when we go to The Netherlands.

DSC_0128.jpg
ISO 100 1/320 sec. f/9 18 mm

In the Middle Ages, like the Hohentwiel, the other volcanoes of the Hegau proved to be perfect locations for castles and small fortifications. There are 380 of them within a radius of 20 kilometers, making the Hegau one of the regions with the most castles in Germany. I think I'll be back to show you more.

Hohentwiel is one of the oldest nature reserves in Germany. The mountain with the highest vineyards in the country was declared a nature reserve in 1943. I like red wine from this region and I bought a couple of bottles again 😊

All pictures are taken by my Nikon D3200 AF-S NIKKOR 18-55 mm 1:3.5-5.6 G II (except of the ones indicated in the article).

Thank you for reading!

Cheers,
Martina

Steemit Bloggers
Join us @steemitbloggers
Animation By @zord189

Sort:  

It is such a well written and detailed article that I actually felt like I am walking right there with you..Back in my hometown we had a similar fort just an hour away and I would go twice in a month, so I know how you feel about this place.. there are some places you can never get tired of visiting.
Much love and hugs ❤️

Thank you so much for your kind words! Why did you actually move out? I don't think I have read about it in your posts...

Oh yes, these are places that we never forget even though we may be so far away from them :)

Much love and hugs to you too my dear!

Got married last year so moved to a new city with my partner..😅
I can travel the world and will still miss that place, so many memories and it's a different connection.. I would go thr when I was happy, when I felt alone or just when I wanted to scream.. May be when I will go back this time will take some photographs and share here.. I am sure you will love it

Posted using Partiko Android

Hahaha, I also got married and moved to Switzerland. Otherwise I would never think of moving here...

Oh, that would be great! I would love to see that place! Can't wait! :)

I hear you! ;) i can't wait to go back as well..
where were you before you got married..

At that time I was based in Prague. But before I used to live in Belgium and in Slovakia. I have to go now as I'm boarding the plane :) Talk to you later my dear!

have a safe journey... Love ❤️

@delishtreats your post should be the no. 1 in travel trending page, great photos with great article, thank you for sharing with us. Regards.

Thank you so much! I'm so pleased that you like it! :)

Its a lovely fortress! I love the photo of the tunnel looking out into the hill, it's my favourite one. I think it's such a contrast between the old and the new world.

Thank you for stopping by. It is an amazing place and doesn't matter how often you go you will always find something that you haven't seen before :)

I like that contrast too! I was waiting for about 5 minutes to get a shot without people on it :D

Wow, thank you for including the full history! B’coz I Enjoy reading about historical sites specially abandoned castles like this.

Nice to know bout Germany’s largest fortress ruin.
Beautiful sceneries ❤️
Upvoted

Thank you for stopping by! I'm pleased that you enjoyed it :)

That's awesome that you are so close to a place like that! I want to go see some castles so badly. I can only imagine the history that those walls have seen! It's crazy thinking how much hard work went into building all of that, as well. Can you imagine getting all of those stones up there?? Thank you for another wonderful journey! :)

I'm very lucky to live in such a beautiful place. There are plenty of castles around us. Oh, you are right. It's very steep there and I wouldn't like to be among those who had to push them up :) Thank you for stopping by Katie!

What a place to see! Feels that even though it is a time of old, it still has its magic that carries through time. Tales that we hear and movies that we see help us imagine what those days might be like. Now I feel like watching a medieval movie :D

Hahaha, I try to post photos in chronological order so that my readers can get into the sphere. I see that it's working and it makes me happy :)

Thank you for stopping by!

What an awesome visit! I was lucky enough to visit Germany back in high school (about a million years ago) and we toured a number of castles - however, I don't think this was one of them. But now, thanks to all your amazing photos, I feel like I've been there!

Thanks so much for sharing this, and congrats on the #steemitbloggers member boost!


via GIPHY

I'm glad that you feel like you've been there!

Thank you for stopping by! Oh, I was actually just getting my iron infusion when I've noticed the member boost and it absolutely made my day! :)

You're very welcome, and I know what you mean - the times I've gotten a boost totally made my day too! The #steemitbloggers community is wicked awesomesauce! 😊 💜

So awesome! So much information, thank you for taking the time to put this together. It’s interesting to try and imagine how a place that’s been long barren may have looked when it was running in its prime. Such a different life than you and I know. Very cool post @delishtreats.

P.s. you always seem to be traveling which I find so refreshing. I truly enjoy your blog my friend. Happy travels!

Thank you for your kind comment! :) Yes, it takes me a lot of time but I enjoy writing and sharing my travel :)

Oh, I try to travel as much as I can. Last couple of weeks I spent more time at home than on 'road' as I was a bit tired of traveling. Not in a bad way though.. I was just missing my own bed :D

I can relate, I’m such a home body in that there’s nothing like the comforts of home. “Free spirits”. :)

I love that last shot... very stunning view captured there! As always, amazing Martina!

Thank you Dave! I'll keep going there until the sky will be clear so that you can see the Swiss Alps panorama too. It is amazing!

Great post. So many photos and such great history lesson. I found the window in the Duke's castle. Its the only one with the vertical split :) I love the photos looking down on the town below. You can imagine the castle controlling the countryside below.

Thank you for stopping by!

Yes! You got it right :) I love that window because it's the only one with the vertical split in the entire ruin :)

Exactly, it was the best position not only to defense the land but also to control it.