Burghausen Castle

Burghausen Castle is the longest castle complex in Europe. It extends over 1,000 meters along above the town of Burghausen, Germany. Construction on the castle first began in 600AD. From 1255 on it was the second residence of the dukes of Lower Bavaria and the court of their consorts. It was also in this well-fortified complex that the Rich Dukes of Bavaria-Landshut kept their gold and silver.

In the 18th century the castle underwent massive conversions and, as a result of the succession wars in the first half of the century and the loss of parts of the country to Austria, Burghausen became a border town.

The castle complex is divided into six courtyards. Each courtyard had or has its own fortified gate, moat and wooden drawbridge. Likewise each courtyard was built at a different time and has its own history. The weather was beautiful that day as we walked up the hill to the castle.

We spent several hours just wandering around the peaceful castle complex.

Straddling the border of Germany and Austria.

Is this a sculpture or wood for a bonfire?

Peek-a-boo!

More of the castle complex.

Me & Thomas.

The castle walls with the Salzach river below.

You know I like the flower shots!

The town of Burghausen.

Traunstein

The name means "Castle on the Traun River." The city originally belonged to Salzburg, but since 1275 has belonged to Bavaria.

Its most famous inhabitant was Pope Benedict XVI. He lived here from around 1935-1951 and attended the seminary here before moving to Munich for his university studies.

Many Catholic churches are known for their "onion domes."

A view of the city and the Traun River with the Bavarian Alps in the distance.

Early family home of Pope Benedict XVI.

Tiny German deer.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Just as Herrenchiemsee paid homage to Loius XIV, Neuschwanstein Castle was an homage to Richard Wagner.

Neuschwanstein Castle is located on a rugged hill above the village Hohenschwangau constructed in a Gothic Revival style. It was King Ludwig II's romanticized idea of a German knight's castle of the Middle Ages. It wasn't completed before Ludwig's untimely death (he only stayed there for 10 days). Ultimately, out of over 200 interior rooms that were planned, only about 15 rooms and halls were finished.

Most notably, the castle was the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle. There is a swan motif throughout the castle. We bought our tickets and had 3 hours to kill before our turn to see the castle. We wandered around the town soaking on the sights before commencing out 30 minute climb up the hill to the castle..

There is a gorge nearby with a slightly scary bridge that you can stand on and get the best views of the castle.

Approaching the castle.

Best and scariest view.

The gorge below.

A view of the same bridge from the castle. Yikes!

A second castle located at the foot of the mountain is called Hohenschwangau Castle (High Swan County Castle). It was the childhood home of Ludwig II.

Hohenschwangau Castle view from Neuschwanstein Castle with the lake Alpsee.

Cute fountain!

Dominik and the castle.

The boys.

The lake below.

Come see Chiemsee

So, Thomas and I made two trips to Lake Chiemsee. On the first day the weather was beautiful. On the second day, not so much.

Chiemsee is a fresh water lake often called the Bavarian Sea and has two main islands, Herreninsel (gentleman's island) and Fraueninsel (lady's island).

On our first visit, we just strolled around the lake and watched the sun set.


On the second day, we took the ferry boat to Herrenchiemsee, a complex of royal buildings on Herreninsel.

On this island, King Ludwig II built a palace meant to be a replica of the Palace of Versailles, in France. Ludwig only actually stayed at the unfinished palace for a few days in September 1885 since he died under mysterious circumstances the following year. Construction was discontinued and and 50 of the 70 buildings remain unfinished. Soon after, the building was opened to the public.

The palace itself was an homage to his idol, Louis XIV of France. Some of the rooms actually surpass the rooms at Versailles. The Hall of Mirrors is actually larger than its Versailles equivalent and the dining room features an elevator table and the largest chandelier in the world made of Meissen porcelain. Lugwig's copy also features a central heating system and a large heated bathtub.


Next, we headed over to Frauenchiemsee where a Benedictine nunnery built in 793 is housed. There is also a small village where we walked around and got wet and frozen!

More Salzburg

A small road.

Salzburg.

The home of Christian Doppler...yes the guy that observed that the frequency of a wave depends on the relative speed of the source and the observer - The Doppler Effect.

More Mirabell Gardens

No trip to Salzburg would be complete without visiting Mozart.

Mozart's birth house.

The Hills Are Alive!!!!!!!

Aaaaahhh, The Sound of Music, such an iconic film. Who would have guessed that the people of Austria don't know this film? The movie that was filmed here in Salzburg in 1964. Well, I was very excited to visit some of spots where some of the scenes were filmed. I actually made two trips to Salzburg and am planning a third in August so I can do an "official" Sound of Music tour...oooohhh!

"You are 16 going on 17...."

Pegasus statue in Mirabell Gardens where they filmed..."Do a deer a female deer..."

Me in Mirabell Gardens with the High Salzburg Fortress in the background.

More Mirabell Gardens "Tea, a drink with jam and bread.."

Leopoldskron Castle or the Von Trapps backyard in the movie.

Hellbrun Palace served as the front of the Von Trapp home.

More Mirabell gardens...check out the very end of Do-Re-Mi.

Most people don't know it, but Edelweiss was not an old Austrian folk song. It was written by Rogers and Hammerstein exclusively for the movie. here was a surprise of some school kids singing the song in Mirabell Gardens.