Schloß Braunfels, Germany

1. Braunfels

Braunfels is a small town 10 km from Wetzlar. At first I thought it was a sunny village, as around here in Germany everything is sunny. But I looked it up and it's listed as a town. As soon as I entered Braunfels I saw an old castle "on a cliff". Braunfels translates as brown cliff. It fascinated me right away, so I used a weekend day for a double or even triple purpose: to go for a walk (hiking), to visit the castle and I had to add on the way to visit the old town center. How beautiful! On the road!

Braunfels has 5 neighboring villages as an extended territory (like in our communes that include several villages). It is a place where many crafts have developed over the years, so that we already find similarities with the history of its big brother - the fascinating city of Wetzlar. The craftsmen's houses are a pleasure to look at, film or sit and paint. They are one of the attractions of the Old Town which starts at the Marktplatz - Market Square. Braunfels is recognized as a holiday destination for nature lovers. You can discover the area better by signing up for a guided tour of the 750-year-old city.

2. Castle Braunfels

Follow the signs to find the way to the castle. You have to climb the hill on which the castle is located. The route I chose led me past the Schlosshotel, past more and more beautiful old houses, through Marktplatz, up to one of the castle walls of Schloss Braunfels. Here the cars pull off the pedestrian road. Citizens, castellan, visitors continue along Schlosstrasse (castle street), pass under 3 gates - Mittlere Pforte (middle gate), Talpforte (valley gate) and one more, past a large old fountain, along a cobbled path that climbs smoothly in steps and then up a covered staircase on the Rittertreppe (riders' staircase) and wide up to the castle courtyard.

Here we meet a crossroads, which brings with it a signpost. From hour to hour there are guided tours of the castle. Inside the castle photography is forbidden, and you have to put on mega slippers to protect the floor. As I had about 30 minutes until the next organized tour, I read the signs and opted for two of them.

3. Schloßkirche (castle church) Braunfels

It was "baptized" in 1501 as a castle church by Count Otto II and is built in Gothic style. From 1583 it became an evangelical reformed church, and more recently it is also a Catholic church. In Wetzlar, as in Wetzlar, we find the peaceful communion of several religions under one roof. The church had at one time 5 altars. I was not able to photograph or even really visit the church because I was stopped at the door due to several weddings that were to be celebrated here. And it was no lie because I saw the brides. It's supposed to bring good luck...

So from the door I peeked inside. The stained-glass windows were added in 1902. There is a small organ in the church.

4. Fürstliches Familienmuseum (family museum)

Here the entrance is through rotating metal gates that rotate one position when you insert EUR into a cash machine. I inserted 2 coins and passed through the narrow and heavy gate. The museum shows the wealth held by the descendants of the Solms-Braunfels family, who still live here today and maintain the huge property.

The letter (document) by which Emperor Charles VII elevated Duke Friedrich Wilhelm to the rank of Prince Prince in 1742 is remarkable. On display are the family's army uniforms, dueling pistols, seals, coins, Bohemian glassware, clothing of noble ladies and princesses, their ornaments, archaeological finds from the presbytery and much more. The museum is very very rich in exhibits, concentrated in a relatively small space, it can be visited on foot in 15 minutes.

5. Schloß (castelul) Braunfels

The first attestation dates back to 1246 as "Brunenvels Castle". The castle "grew" over time. Thus, in the 14th century, with the advent of longer-range firearms, the first walls with defense towers and ramparts were added. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Count Wilhelm Moritz gave the castle the appearance of a Baroque residence. In 1845, the "Jaegerfuerst" (hunting lord) Ferdinand rebuilt the palace in neo-Gothic style on the foundations of the old fortress, which are still preserved today, and he also established the "Rittersaal" (the riding hall).

Today's unmistakable silhouette, full of towers and windows, as in the castles of fairy tales, was given after 1880 by Prince George. The visit begins in the huge, wide, chess-board-like inner courtyard, with the family effigy printed in the center. It reveals wonderful views of the castle's several wings and towers.

We climb a staircase leading to the first room - the famous Rittersaal (hall of the riders). It's a huge one. A depiction of a rider in armor mounted on a horse and dressed is the highlight of the hall, which also displays weapons and battle equipment.

Visit the art exhibition Gemaeldegalerie and then in several society halls - the pink parlor, the blue parlor, etc., which show the connections with various other noble houses. We find solid wood furniture and many paintings. The exit is to the alley that surrounds the outside of the castle in Kanonenplatz, the Cannon Square, where 3 of these battle weapons are on display. The view of the area can be admired from a 30 km radius. On the way out we pass by the parking lot of the old kaleidoscopes, where 3 of them are still standing.