Taking Advantage of a German Holiday

This picture is of the latest "castle hunt" we embarked on over a German holiday in early May.  Hohenzollern Schloss was about 2.5 hours away and well worth the drive!

Luckily, by arriving early, we were able to park fairly close and have no lines.  

Leaving two hours later was just the opposite! 

We were very lucky as the lines were then huge and parking 

went clear to the bottom of the mountain. 

After passing through the entrance,

we came upon a long tunnel.  We wondered if these little "holes in the wall" were former dungeons.  

I mean, what else would they have been?

Once we emerged from the tunnel, we were very impressed with the courtyard.  This castle is only about 150 years old, so obviously it is in good shape.  In fact, one can only tour part of the castle because descendants of the original owners still use a section of it.  I was told if Germany were to have a king today, he would live in this very castle. 

We began the tour inside at this entrance, and that was the end of taking photos.  Since it was a holiday, there were no guided tours; instead, it was a self-guided tour 

with posters in both German and English

I loved this iron door!

Just as beautiful as the castle, was the scenery below!  German countrysides and villages are just so amazingly beautiful!  We will never tire of the green fields and hills and the red-roofed houses! 

 Farewell, Hohenzollern!