Having spent the rest of Monday, on our return from Reims, getting washing etc. up to date, we decided that real exploration of this region in Germany was called for. Neckarsteinach was our first port of call. This town is known as the Four Castle Town because of the four castles built by the knightly family of the free nobles (Edelfrei). The family first began constructing the four castles in the second half of the 12th century. The Front Castle (Vorderburg), Middle Castle (Mittelburg) and Back Castle (Hinterburg) were all built on the mountain ridge between the Steinach and Neckar valleys at the same time The Schadach Castle, perched on a rocky plateau, was only built around 1260. The Mittelburg and the Vorderburg are privately owned and inhabited and not accessible to the public. The Hinterburg belongs to the state of Hessen and is accessible to the public. The SchadEck Castle is also known as the "Swallows' Nest" and can be visited. However, the footpath was destroyed. To access a covered wall walk it is necessary to use a rope ladder. Jim and I both declined!
On the banks of the river Neckar, where we parked.
A view of Castle Schadeck
Kaffee und Kuchen! Note - 2 forks.
Outside the little Information Office /Coffee Shop were these sculptures. They are 6 sandstone statues as tall as men meant to symbolise the 6 main characters from the epic Nibelungen poem (Siegfried, Kriemhild, Hagen, King Gunther, Brunhild and Etzel King of the Huns.
A view of Hinterburg
This Catholic Church has a really opulent interior with a high altar made from marbled wood.
The Evangelical Church was built in a late Gothic style
The rain came for the afternoon so it wasa case of getting home and keeping dry. We really enjoyed our few hours in Neckarsteinach.
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