Station: [19] Lindenstamm Bastion

What a view!

Indeed, it really is stunning! From here, you can look out over the Jagst Valley to the west. The sunsets are spectacular. If you look south, you can see Bächlingen, where that covered bridge was rebuilt. To the north, there’s the small town of Unterregenbach, where the historic covered bridge crosses the Jagst River. If you remember, we told you about the covered wooden bridges when we were in the courtyard.

The trees swaying majestically in the breeze here are part of the English landscape garden laid out in the late 19th, early 20th century for Princess Alexandra. She was Her Royal Highness, Princess of Edinburgh, granddaughter to Queen Victoria, and Princess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha – and married to Prince Ernst the Second of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. 

If you look down and to your left, you can see the little tea tower, where the princesses took their tea and spent time embroidering, knitting or painting. 

This viewpoint is called Lindenstamm, which translates as linden trunk. It’s the oldest section of the castle and still part of the original fortification. We believe it was built in the 11th century, though we can’t be quite sure. However, we do know that the first settlers became established as early as 300 or 400 AD – that was lower down the valley in what is now Unterregenbach on the Jagst River. People always settled along rivers first, before heading up into the hills to build fortifications.

We’ll now head down the narrow staircase into the Zwinger – your last stop.

All depictions: © Trüpschuch