Our last stop today before Darmstadt is Frankenstein Castle, a castle that we wanted to visit for some time after finding out that it actually existed. Of course the major reason we wanted to visit it is that supposedly Mary Shelley was inspired by it to write her famous horror novel. We park in an almost empty parking lot and then we have to find the right path to the castle, luckily after a bit we can see it above the vegetation and know we are going in the right direction.
Soon we walk alongside the castle walls and all is left is to find the entrance and in we go. The castle was built in the 13th century and fell into ruin in the 18th century. And then it came its turn to glory as supposedly in the early 19th century Mary Shelley passed close by, saw the ruined castle and was inspired to write the novel.
Inside the first gate is the small chapel which sometimes can be visited but not today unfortunately. So we continue on towards the inner fortifications which seem to be better preserved.
While the interior gate tower seems to be better preserved there is a good reason for it. It was reconstructed in the 19th century and not even in a historically accurate manner. Oh well, it is still fun and we can imagine it is the actual old tower with a bit of imagination.
After entering the interior courtyard we walk around the keep and the path is quite nice with meadows full of flowers and ruins and we enjoy the walk even though it is really hot, still.
As the sun is beating down on us and we decide not to continue on the trail outside the walls and return back to the tower and the keep and visit the keep which seems to have some shade which would be very welcome.
The keep is looking quite impressive but it was also renovated in the 19th century not in a historically accurate manner, not surprising really. You can climb in the tower but also in the interior room and we decide to start with the room as there is less climbing involved.
It is a short climb and the room is empty and we enjoy exploring the many surviving walls and looking up at the impressive tower.
And then it is time to climb on the battlements to actually visit the tower which seems to have some great views over the surrounding area.
And the views are beautiful both over the castle and over the forests surrounding the castle. We spend some time enjoying the views from the tower and then it is time to turn around and descend.
The views are impressive also when looking backwards but in the end we have to descend and go back to the car to drive to our accomodation for the last two nights in Germany the Jagdschloss Kranichstein.
