First of all thank you all for still commenting and reading along as much as you do even though I’m not blog visiting and reading right now during our trip. I soooo appreciate it!
The castle I’m showing you today has been a favorite of mine since my early childhood. It is pretty close to my hometown and I have gone there on many family and school trips growing up.
Now it has become one of my children’s favorite as well and in the following photos you will be able to see why it’s charm has captured our hearts.
The castle I’m talking about is “Schloss (Castle) Mespelbrunn” which is one of the few castles in Germany that has retained its original form throughout all the wars, even both world wars. The reason for this is because it is located very remotely within the “Spessart” forrest.
The oldest part of the castle is the mighty tower which you can see below. It’s origin goes back to the thirteenth century. In that time it had to protect the road running through the valley which was one of the most important roads running through the Spessart. The chief part of the tower was built by a knight Hamann Echter in the early fifteenth century (1419-1432).
My kids go crazy for buildings that are this old.
But my daughter pictures Rapunzel sitting in this tower not some knight 😉 and when you see the next photo then you know how people could come up with such great fairytales.
The below photo is what you see when you walk up to the castle from the parking lot. It makes me think of gnomes, fairies, animals and princesses and that is exactly what my daughter thought too.
It is a peaceful and magical place with clean air and water trickling in the background.
And yes, people are still fortunate enough to live here.
There are several buildings where farmers and castle employees used to live:
The former horse stables which is now a little place where you can grab a snack to eat:
In front of the castle gates:
Feeding the crazy fish in the castle’s moat:
The below photo of the entrance leads to some of the upper rooms where you aren’t allowed to take any photos. I would have loved to though. Above the door are stones carved of Peter Echter and his wife Lady Adelsheim with the date 1564.
Half of the castle’s rooms are living quarters to the current countess. Her eldest daughter Marie-Antoinette Countess von Ingelheim is the current heiress to castle Mespelbrunn.
The rooms that you are able to see are still being used for special occasions like family weddings and birthdays. My kids think it’s so cool to be raised in a place like this.
Yup I’m still obsessed with doors as you can see in all of the below photos:
I was able to take some photos of the main floor:
This place has completely enchanted my kids and I’m sure it won’t be the last time we visit.
One of the things that I remember the most as a chid and it really impressed my kiddos too is the authentic South American
shrunken head that is for display in one of the cases. Creepy always wins children over, doesn’t it?
A German movie that was filmed there in 1958 made this castle famous as well. “
Das Wirtshaus im Spessart” and I loved watching it many many times as a child.
I hope you enjoyed this little castle post.
More Germany posts:
2012 posts:
Tschüß
(Youleeya)
Germany posts:
2014
2013 posts:
2012 posts:
This makes me totally want to book a trip! I can see why you and your kiddos love it….amazing!
Love that flooring in the last picture! Amazing!
WOW… it’s just stunning! i wish we had places like that here!
SO cool. I’m totally enchanted by buildings this old too. I can’t believe people still live there! I feel like it’s so especially fascinating to Americans because there’s nothing that old here. Can I come on your family vacation next year??
Breathtaking!
Simply BREATHTAKING!!!
I’m always in awe when we visit Germany how the architecture has survived for hundreds of years. Germans sure build things to last and to perfection! I would move there in a heart beat. 😉
Such beautiful pictures. This makes me miss Europe so much. I love all the rich history and castles. And the moats. Oh the moats 🙂
I seriously need to get over my fear of flying so I can see this place! Enjoy the rest of your trip! I can’t wait to see more pictures!
Beautiful pictures and details, Julia! Looks like you have a wonderful time!Xo
What an enchanting place! And those doors!
Beautiful! Those ceilings! And those grounds! Just a magical place.
oh, how cool! this is why I need to visit Europe…they have all the best castles 🙂
Absolutely beautiful!
This is stunning Julia! Thanks for sharing!
That is just magical, Julia!! No wonder it’s your favorite!
It’s just absolutely incredible! Better than a fairy tale!! Thank you for sharing!!
I took my wife and son there yesterday (May 29, 2016). The schloss, its moat, the furnitures, and the surrounding garden are enchanting.
I have my pictures uploaded in my Facebook account for my friends and relatives to enjoy.
It is most charming for sure!