Site Plan for the Marksburg Castle.
And for those of you who do not read German, here it is in English.
The Skunk snuck in through the Drawbridge Gatehouse after struggling up what seem like 10 miles if uphill road. Probably was in the
neighborhood of a mile.
Then up some rough exposed slate to the Fox Gate. The edges were horizontal but the road was sort of vertical
and had been warn away by years of horse, carriage and foot traffic so they were sticking out, ready to catch your toe and trip you.
Then on up to the Notches
Gate and into the Castellan’s Tower.
From there to the Battery where the canon were.
From there through the kitchen, wine cellar, to the Great Hall.
Out through the Chapel Tower to the weaving room and back down the hill.
At least that is how I remember it.
This is the second half of the road going up to the castle. There was a hairpin turn behind this and another stretch down to the bus.
Massive stone walls with the top of the Square Keep peaking out.
The Fox Gate
The Castellan’s Tower
The Battery and canon. The openings were covered over to protect the canon from the elements.
The views were breathtaking. Shows the great field of fire for the canon.
The Keep framed between the Gothic Great Hall and the Romanesque Hall
Did this castle house Knights in Shining Armor? Yes it did. Click on the video below for a visit to the Armor Museum.
Click here for Armor Video
So how much does this armor weigh? Not as much as you might think. Between 50-60 lbs including 5-8 lbs for the helmet. About the same as the modern infantryman carries into battle.
For more info about armor, click here
The kitchen area. The fireplace is large enough to walk in.
The wine cellar. Not sure how big the barrels were but several hundred galleons I would guess. The wine pitchers were at least a gallon or more.
So where did all this food and drink go? To the Great Hall where it was, I am certain, consumed with great relish.
There were several small alcoves off the Great Hall for more interment dinning. A breakfast nook, perhaps? as well as a music room and a chess room were also seen.
So what happened after all this eating and drinking and parting? A trip to the Royal Potty, of course.
Maybe a bit of exercise? Lets go down to the Royal Dungeon and torture some prisoners.
We ever have illustrated instructions on the wall.
Feeling a bit guilty about what we did to the prisoners? Maybe a trip to the Chapel Tower is in order to ask for forgiveness.
Well its been a long day so off to the Royal Bedchamber for a good nights sleep. Does the bed look short? Actually by todays standards it is. Men and women from the middle ages were 2-3 inches shorter that we are today.
The weaving room was interesting in that the machines were advanced for the time. Not totally automated but moving in that direction.
The castle had many small storage closets or built in cabinets. The doors were interesting.
Doors? The castle had many beautiful doors and archways.
Yes, I
know its the same door, but without people.
Headed back down the hill. The first section is in the right, the second on the left.
So what are the roads like in Germany, you ask? Well the freeways are great. In many places have no speed limit. Car do 200 MPH? Go for it. But the back roads are an entirely different matter. Very narrow and steep. I remember in the 60’s driving a 5 ton Army truck on them. Click here for an example.
Looks
like the Texas Skunk has a welcoming party back on the boat
.
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