It took me a while to figure out where to wander to this week. Usually a location will present itself to me, or I’ll scroll through my photos and find somewhere, but it all seemed a bit vague this week. Then I remembered a conversation I had with a fellow blogger where I mentioned Heidelberg, so I’ve decided to wander there.
More specifically, to the ruined castle, sitting high on the hillside overlooking the old town and the rolling Rhine river. Built in stages between 1214 and 1295, the castle was subsequently destroyed by lightning, fire and war, resulting in the picturesque ruins we see today.
For many centuries the castle was home to the Palatine counts, powerful nobles who married into royalty, including the English Stuart and French Orleans families.
Mark Twain visited the ruins and wrote about them in his book A Tramp Abroad, stating that,
‘A ruin must be rightly situated, to be effective. This one could not have been better placed. …one looks down through shining leaves into profound chasms and abysses where twilight reigns and the sun cannot intrude.’
I visited a little more recently than Twain, and can attest that not much has changed since he wrote those words. Trees and vines still garland the ruins, the view across the town and river just as breathtaking as it always was.
Thanks for coming on another Wednesday Wander with me – see you next time!
If you enjoyed this post and want to read more, you can find me on Twitter @AuthorHelenJ, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Plus my latest book release, A Thousand Rooms, is now available on Amazon.
Helen Glynn Jones 
It still has some life. there is glass in that bottom window, and someone runs a fresh flag up the pole.
Oh yes, there’s definitely still some life there. I think part of the castle was restored at some point, and is still used in one capacity or another. I guess I’ll have to go back and check it out ;-D
Maybe spend the night in that room. Get a vibe for the ghosts that occupy the ruins.
Ooh, not sure – I’ve had too many freaky experiences to invite more, including in Heidelberg…
Nothing like dreaming about a place in someone else’s body, then walking into a square and seeing your dream come to life…
Sounds like the makings of a good story.
Maybe 😊
Great post and quote!
Thanks, Kristin! xx
Beautiful. That stone has quite a pinkish hue, or is it just the light in the pics?
Thanks, Ali! Yes, the stone was quite pinkish, really lovely against all the green 🙂
Hope your essays are treating you well xx
Reading week this week… and I have 4 to write. Don’t know how we’re supposed to fit any reading in. 🙄
Yes, that does seem a tough ask, especially when you have the rest of your life to run as well! No sleep, I’m guessing? 😁
Haha! Sleep, what’s that? No. I need my sleep. How’s your job coming along?
Oh, I do hope you’re getting some sleep then!
And the new job is going pretty well, thank you, though less time for writing these days. Still, feel pretty lucky to have it! 😊
That’s good to hear! And yes, I am, but I’m greedy and always want more. 😂
You and me both! Yet when I get the chance to sleep in, I can’t 😀
Haha! I never get the chance, not with Carys, she’s an early bird. And anyway, the morning is the best time of the day. I’m not an early bird, but I dont like sleeping in either, feels like I’ve missed half the day. There’s not enough hours in it as it is!
I must agree, I’m a bit of a morning person as well – I get a lot of work done. I guess when I say sleep in I mean 8am as opposed to 6am haha -how things have changed!
Love stuff like this. Thanks for sharing, Helen!
Thanks, Kev! So pleased you enjoyed the post. I love a good castle too 🙂
Me too! We seem to like a lot of the same things. Lol. Keep sharing!
We do! 🙂 And I will…
Great pics, Helen! Castles just beg a story, don’t they? I like your little tidbits of info, especially the quip by Mark Twain. Very insightful and well researched.
Thanks, Linda! Glad you enjoyed it – I do like writing these posts 😀
Love Heidelberg! I was stationed there for two years and met my husband there. It will always have a place in my heart. The castle is a great location for a Sunday walk
Oh, that’s so lovely! No wonder it’s a special place for you. I didn’t spend very long there and would love to go back one day 🙂
I missed this post (freshly jetlagged as I was then). I haven’t been to the Heidelberg Schloss since I was a kid – only have vague memories of piles of old walls. But I liked it even then!
Incidentally, Heidelberg was one of the main places the Americans took over after the war – flying the US flag on that tower was one of the definitive statements of occupation.
Oh really? I didn’t realise that. That would have been quite a moment on a lot of levels…
I went years ago too, and I’d love to go back – I remember how wonderful the view was across the town and river…