Don's Birthplace - Heidelberg - April 27

Finally returning to Don's birthplace that he left when just an infant. It is a beautiful town! We toured the Heidelberg Castle ruins perched 80 meters above the old town, now one of the most beautiful ruins in the world. The castle was begun as a fortress in the 13th century, but in the 15th and 16th century was expanded into a palace fit for Heidelberg's imperial rulers. Over the next 300 years the property suffered fire from thunderbolts and repeated destruction during the Thirty Years' War in the 1600s and the Nine Years' War less than 100 years later. From then the complex was only partly reconstructed. We tour the guided tour and after leaving were lucky to see in a beautiful sunlight on the hill from the Old Bridge when the sun was setting. We saw the Heidelberg Tun in the cellar with the enormous wine barrel. And there were really hairy cows on the property enjoying the day. We also climbed the steps in the Church of the Holy Spirit for a spectacular 360 degree view of the city. We plan on visiting again! Tons to see here.