High on a Hill

 So here are three more, very different images from the Chateau de Haut Koenigsbourg in Alsace.

The first image is taken from one of the towers looking along the ramparts and into the distance towards Germany. This region was hotly contested throughout the centuries and changed hands between France and Germany several times. The castle itself has fallen into ruin and been reconstructed over time too and is now a remarkable place to visit.

The second image is og a sculpture that sits on top of the well in the inner courtyard. I wish I could say more about it but sadly I didn't pay enough attention to the information display so all I can say is that it is an interesting sculpture of a mermaid.

The final image is of the main staircase which leads from the inner courtyard and is housed in a hexagonal tower. Can you tell whether you are looking up or down the stairs?

Medieval Masterpiece

Here is another selection of shots from the wonderful medieval city of Carcassonne.

Within the extensive outer walls is a small town built around a central citadel (see pictures 1 & 2) this is the only part of the city that has an entrance fee and was the only part of the city we didn't visit because when we arrived it was only twenty minutes til closing time and although my son could get in for free they wanted to charge me full price even though there was no way of seeing everything.  So that's something for the next time I guess.

Around the walls of this citadel there was a nicely laid out vegetable garden and then there is a network of narrow cobbled streets and beautiful buildings. One benefit of arriving late in the day was that the streets were largely deserted and so very few people to clutter up the shots.

On The Ramparts

Just a few shots of the ramparts of Carcassonne, from the ramparts at Carcassonne.

I remember staying here because we arrived in the rain to find that our hotel was a bit shabby but driving up to the old city and seeing the magnificent crenelated walls and turrets made up for it.