The mighty Gravensteen Castle in the center of Ghent is one of the largest moated castles in Europe. The origin goes back to a wooden building that was probably built by the Vikings on the remains of a Roman settlement. Philip of Alsace built today’s castle from 1180 to 1200. It was the residence of […]
Visiting the Hradcany
After our first tour in the old town, we visit the Hradčany the next morning. Correctly speaking, we visit the Prague Castle with the St. Vitus Cathedral. Hradčany is the name of the castle hill. But today it is a synonym for hill including the castle. We enter the Prague Castle through an entrance gate […]
Royal Castle in Warsaw
The Royal Castle in Warsaw lies in the center of the city. Until the 18th century, it was the seat of the Polish kings. However, the castle hill has been inhabited already for 8000 years. The oldest preserved parts of the castle date back to the 15th century. The castle garden dates from that time. […]
Stockholm Palace – the Royal Palace in the city
The Stockholm Palace is in the center of Stockholm, not far from the Old Town Gamla Stan on the island of Stadsholmen. The Palace, also called the Royal Palace, was built on the foundation walls of the Tre Kronor Palace, which burnt down in 1697. It is one of the largest castles in Europe and […]
Alcazar of Segovia and the Surroundings
Today we meet with our friend Jose Gomez, whom we have already met in Madrid a year ago. He traveled specially from Madrid to show us the beauty of his native city. While we are waiting in front of the hotel, a plaque at the adjacent Iglesia de San Miguel attracts our attention. It is […]
Tour of the Alhambra in Granada
Alhambra, the impressive palace and fortress complex on a hill in Granada, is undoubtedly one of the most famous buildings in Spain and one of the most visited attractions in Andalusia. Historical background The Sabikah Hill of Granada was already inhabited in pre-Roman times. After the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors, they built a castle […]
