Sunday, March 29, 2015

Schloss Hohenbaden

Hohenbaden Old Castle (Altes Schloss Hohenbaden) is one of the oldest possessions of the margraves of Baden – with origins that go back to the 12th century. The oldest part of the complex, the Oberburg (upper castle) is built on a crest on the southwestern side of the Battert hill. The newer Unterburg (lower castle) was expanded on the orders of Margrave Bernhard I in the late 14th century. The impressive Bernhardsbau, the main building in the castle’s lower bailey (courtyard), bears testimony to the heightened importance of the margraves of Baden. In 1479, however, they moved to the more comfortable Neues Schloss (new palace) in the valley. The old castle fell into disuse, and was left in ruins after a fire in the late 16th century. Interest in Hohenbaden Old Castle was reawakened in the 19th century, when Baden-Baden became a popular spa destination. Today, the ruin, with its fabulous view, is one of the most attractive destinations in the northern Black Forest.
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I took my spunky little Citroen through the Black Forest enroute to Baden-Baden, on what was arguably the first spring weekend here in Baden-Wurttemburg.













8 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm trying to hit a castle a weekend, as work allows. We'll see how far I get. I'm hoping to head to Trier next weekend and see the Roman ruins.

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  2. Excellent photos! Are you going to frame any of these, CI?

    We have a castle nearby -- in West Virginia. Not much of a castle, really. Are you familiar with the castle? It's in Berkeley Springs, I think.

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    1. Heh, that's as much of a 'castle' as some that bear the name in Europe. Fancy houses!

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    2. CI,
      Have you been to that Berkeley Springs castle?

      Watch out for wasps! Seriously. The place is infested with them.

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    3. I haven't, but I have heard about it. We're still trying to work our way through the Civil War battlefields. That will probably still be unfinished business when we pass on.

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    4. CI,
      So many battlefields! Visiting those will keep you very busy.

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    5. Yeah...my plan to hit the Civil War sites and then the Revolutionary and French/Indian wars.....was a bit optimistic.

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