Grosser Feldberg & The Taunus Mountains

North of Frankfurt lie the Taunus Mountains.  The highest point is only 850 meters but they provide a spectacular view of Frankfurt and the surrounding valleys.  There is an observation tower located at what is called Grosser Feldberg.  From this vantage point, we could see the fall colors in rich display.  We could even see our apartment block with the naked eye.  It was cold and windy on the top of the ridge so we did not stay long.  The crowds had not arrived as yet, so we had the viewing platform all to ourselves. My research on this site indicated it was a frequently visited location on any clear day.

This mountain range represented the northern boundary of the Roman Empire up until the 3rd century AD.  There are apparently signs of Roman influence along these ridges that clearly demonstrate the line of demarcation.

We proceeded down from the lookout to a place 

called Konigstein (king mountain). At this site is a 13th century castle ruin.  This picture was taken from the keep and again the view was impressive. 

By this time the sun had come out and gave the 

forest a golden glow.  I was atop alone wanting 

to spend time just taking in the view, but the rest 

of our party was below waiting my return. The 

entire medical floor was on this trip.  I had chosen this particular location hoping it would be worth our time. We were not disappointed.

This particular castle or fortress exchanged hands through the centuries, like many others, as the original family line died out.  It looked impregnable given the massive wall structures and prominent position atop a steep rock outcropping.  It would withstand a very ambitious onslaught just to get to the outer perimeter.  During the French Revolutionary Wars, it was blown up by the French.   In the years preceding its demise, a number of German citizens sympathetic to the philosophy of the French idealists, were imprisoned within the walls of the fortress.  Caroline Schlegel, later to become the wife of Shakespeare, was one such.  A fascinating story is told of this lady, her letters, her zeal for life and liberty and the ends to which she would go to procure those rights. 

This last two pictures is of the beautiful Rothschild Villa in Konigstein.  It is tucked away in a secluded, treed property clearly pampering to the well-heeled.  We walked around the site looking for a place to eat, but quickly learned the dining room was intended for those more formerly attired and with somewhat deeper pockets.