The first castle, built in the 14th Century, was indeed a fortified castle. It was built on a island, with a small river split on both sides, and a surrounding wall with four, round corner towers. Of that original construction, only the four towers remain.
Over the centuries, the area was built and destroyed several times and the current main building, the schloss, was built in the early 19th Century, design by the architect Professor Alexander Heideloff. This is now a restaurant.
Across from the schloss is the Schlosshotel, which backs on one of the waterways running through the old town. On the side away from the hotel, is the oldest of the four corner towers, still guarding a small stream on that side of the castle grounds.
Behind the hotel, the river runs through a lock. Originally, this was used as the means to control the flow through a water wheel, but today it simply regulates the flow to the stream, hopefully preventing floods.
Out in the town, the gray sandstone of the walls and buildings was brightened by the colors of Easter decorations.
There were a number of very large, and very tall, buildings serving as both homes and as barns. I'm not sure I'd like to be the one who gets the small room in the peak of a five-story building.
Finally, on our way out, we took another look at the restaurant we had missed. Next time.
