The Hike...

As many of you know, my husband and I are fortunate to have a wonderful view from our living room and dining room window(s). In the winter months our view consists of snow covered fields and several villages with snow covered rooftops. Off in the distance, the Swabian Alps loom in the background. Atop one of these alps is the shadow of the ruins of a castle burg called Hohen Neuffen.

It is now spring and the fields we see are textured with many shades of green and in some areas, fields of bright yellow flowers! The backdrop to these fields in the far distance are the remains that magnificent castle burg! Oftentimes my husband and I stare at the castle burg and wonder at the sight! It is so far and yet so close to us that it appears to have a magical quality. During the daylight hours when it is a sunny day, we see the different textures and colors of the castle and wonder what part of the castle we are actually viewing. On overcast days, early morning hours, and early evening hours we see it as a silhouette atop the alp and on some evenings the castle is actually lit up! We imagine ourselves, atop the alp, viewing the valleys and the villages from the castle itself. “What view would the inhabitants of the castle have had? What was their purpose? What did they think? ...and so on ...and so on... and so on.

Briefly (based on information from a German website and a very “loose” translation process!), I discovered Hohen Neuffen is one the largest castle ruins located in Southern Germany and considered one of the most beautiful. It is approximately 743 meters (2,437 feet) above sea level and is situated in the Swabian Alps overlooking the “Staedchen Neuffen) or the town center of the village of Neuffen. The name Neuffen is Celtic in origin and was later overtaken by the Alemannen. Different pieces of archaeological finds are proposed from the settlement starting from 2200 BC in the area of Hohen Neuffen. The most magnificent find originates from the year 1000 BC. It is a bronze chest pendant, which is attributed to Illyrischen Urn Field people, which came 1200 BC of the Danube into the Alband. First probable owner of the castle was Count Manegold von Sulmetingen around 1100. The first documented mention originates from the year 1198, in which the noble-free are mentioned of Neuffen as owners.

This past Saturday, we decided it was time to pay a visit to the castle! Not knowing what to expect (other than we must park and “hike” up to the burg), we set off full of anticipation in what we might see and experience. We drove thru the villages we viewed from our home. We parked at the base of the alp, and set off on the trail marked for the burg. (Now I have to say before I go further in describing our hike, that I am NOT an IN SHAPE person (physically)! I am adventurous and so wanted to desperately start the “getting into shape” process that I was resolved to make this journey--difficult or not!) We set off with the thought that we would take our time and enjoy the sights and sounds of the trek.

This hike is definitely not for the novice! Some stretches of the trail were almost at 45-degree angles! We took our time (baby steps in some instances!) and did not rush. We stopped to rest whenever the need arose and we made up stories of the past and included the who(s), the what(s), and the why(s) of our version of what may have happened centuries ago. We marveled at the thick green forest. We heard many different types of birds “singing” to us on the way up. Through the trees in some places, we could look down on vineyards, the village of Neuffen, and small farmhouses. We also, at intervals, heard the church bells ringing off in the distance. And all through this trek, we still could not see the castle for the forest being so thick. We often wondered if we were headed in the right direction. All was still unknown to us! We continued on and in some instances were passed by an occasional hiker, a jogger, and a bicyclist. We were not daunted by being passed up rather we were quite happy to be traveling at our own pace.

An hour and about forty minutes later, we rounded a bend and there looming before us were the walls and cobblestone roadway that led to the castle! The castle was refurbished in some areas and in others the original walls stood. We climbed original rock stairs and entered dark areas and tunnels. We could see and smell the dampness of water seeping through the stones. We were rewarded with views into the valleys below! Though we could not see our home so far off in the distance, we knew the general direction and envisioned ourselves standing at one of the windows in our home, staring out at the castle burg itself!

Unknown to us was within the castle walls was a small restaurant and bier garten! Visitors could purchase a bite to eat and a bier and set out on a portion of the castle that overlooks the village of Neuffen and the valleys below! Of course, we purchased some refreshment and sat and talked and marveled at our good fortune to have been blessed with the opportunity (and good health), to be able to sit and enjoy the sights afforded to us!

We are back home now, and still, we have our view of the fields, of the villages, of the alps, of the castle. Only now, we can say, “We were there...we climbed that alp, and sat on the castle grounds. We enjoyed a moment in time here in the present day.”

Who will come after us and wonder at the view, and query the who(s), the what(s), and the why(s)?