the wandering chick
...The Bergstrasse
where spring arrives first
Some argue that the Bergstrasse is one of Germany's most beautiful roads. The B-3 starts just south of Darmstadt and meanders southward to Heidelberg, passing castle ruins nestled in the foothills of the Odenwald, vineyards and fruit trees that abound due to the area's rich soil, and plenty of quaint, picturesque villages all along the way. The road was a main thoroughfare built by the Romans as early as 100 A.D.
Because its location happens to be in one of the mildest parts of Germany, it's not far from the truth to say that spring comes first to the Bergstrasse. People journey from all parts of Germany to see the welcomed arrival of cherry blossoms that line the street and to celebrate the end of winter.
There's no better time in Germany than spring, and there's no better place to celebrate it than on the Bergstrasse.
Cherry trees line both sides of the Bergstrasse in Jugenheim.
Ruins of the Auberbacherschloss, castle in Bensheim-Auerbach.
Herr and Frau Haybale offer greetings along the Bergstrasse.
Looking west toward the Rhineland valley from the lower hills of the Odenwald.
Springtime is not the only pretty season along the Bergstrasse.
One of the most known castles along the Bergstrasse is this one, Frankenstein Castle by Darmstadt. It dates from the 13th century but now lies in ruins. it comes to life, however, at Halloween time due to the nearby American military base which holds a "Haunted House"- themed party there each year.
As often as I'd go to Zwingenberg to find new sights, I was always drawn to the sweet little church, the Bergkirche, that rests humbly above the town on the slopes of the Melibokus, the Odenwald's highest mountain. The church's gate was always open, a sign of silent welcoming.
Built around 1230 A.D. is Laurentius Kirche in Seeheim.
Zwingenberg is probably my favorite little town on the Bergstrasse, maybe because it's the oldest. Parts of the old wall can be seen throughout the town, the above turret, being a part of it.
Winter in Zwingenberg - it's a whole new story.
These are the ruins of Windeck castle in Weinheim, built in the year 1100.
Houses of half-timber and mortar, such as this one in the Odenwald, seem as old as the hills themselves.
Lindenfels in the Odenwald is a small town sitting on various levels. Springtime is especially pretty here as the townspeople fill their yards and windows with flowers..
Taken in the gently rolling hills of the Odenwald, near Lindenfels.
Probably one of the most photographed buildings in the Odenwalkd, the Rathaus (town hall) of Michelstadt.
Heidelberg, one of the most visited towns in all of Germany, is at the southern most end of the Bergstrasse. Its Altstadt (Old Town) is dominated by the Heiliggeistkirche (cathedral), and the city's perfect setting on the Neckar River makes it one of the most picturesque locations in the country. No wonder the tourists flock there.
Towering above Old Town is the world renown castle which, even in ruins, is the most photographed.
The Altebrüke (Old Bridge) with its twin towers spans the Neckar and is the main entrance into Old Town.
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...Heidelberg
River cruises are offered along the Neckar River.
The Hotel Zum Ritter is Heidelberg's oldest hotel, dating back to 1592. It's located on the main pedestrian street (the Hauptstrasse) of Heidelberg's Old Town.
One of the many popular spots in Heidelberg is along the Hauptstrasse, the pedestrian street of Old Town. Restaurants, pubs, hotels and endless shopping make it a perfect all day hang-out.
The side streets in Heidelberg's Old Town are filled with walls and cobblestoned streets that attest to the old age of the city.
The Heidelberg castle was first built in 1214AD, but the current ruins are from the structure built in 1650. Over the centuries, the castle has been damaged by war and several fires, mostly due to lightning strikes.
Just across the river from Heidelberg's Old Town is a completely different atmosphere from the hustle and bustle of the pedestrian zone. Philosophenweg (the Philosopher's Way) offers a quiet and calming stroll where university professors and philosophers walked and conversed, perhaps inspired by the stunning view of Old Town from that side of the Neckar.
To the left is a picture of the Thingstätte amphitheatre, built in 1939 by the Nazis and used by them for WWII rallies. It is located on the Heligenberg, the mountain on which lies Philosophenweg and other notable structures.
The Odenwald is a low forested mountain range that runs north to south, portions of which are in the state of Hessen between Darmstadt and Heidelberg. Along this short distance the forest parallels the Bergstrasse, a main thoroughfare between those two cities. It's called the Bergstrasse because of the scattering of castles ("bergs"), now mostly castle ruins, that are nested above the street in the forest.
Damage done to the Odenwald by a severe windstorm.
