Burg Eltz and Bernkastel - Kues

Today we headed north to the Mosul River Valley and visited the Burg Eltz, a privately owned castle since 1471. Still held by the Eltz family today after 30 generations, Burg Eltz is a medieval castle with over 100 rooms, 20 bathrooms, and 3 kitchens. The interior of the structure is different than many other castles because it lacks the embellishments that later castles of the Renaissance era are known for. The Eltz castle is particularly interesting because it has remained largely untouched since 1471 despite many wars fought in the area. This is not because of the strategic location of the castle, rather, it is because the Eltz family had numerous political connections with every army who traversed the area. These connections prevented the castle from being destroyed over the centuries.

The Eltz family still owns the castle today and many rooms of the castle remain private. The castle itself is huge in structure and rises up out of the valley into the sky. We were able to view the armory, treasury, hunting rooms, bed rooms and living rooms and kitchen.

After leaving Burg Eltz, we travelled to Bernkastel Kues located on the Mosul River. This town's primary attraction is it's location along the Mosul Valley Wine Road. It's located in a valley surrounded by extremely steep hillside vineyards. Reisling grapes are the primary grapes grown in this region which produces alot of white wine.

We had dinner at a small restaurant and then walked around the city for a bit. No time for wine tasting today, besides that which came with dinner, so we're going back next Wednesday to try again.

Tomorrow we're off to Dachau Concentration camp and then to Munich. Hope all is well back home.

For now...check out what I'm currently tasting at www.bischoff.bier.de

Russ