Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of my blog followers (the few people that actually read this). This holiday season has been special. We have Kara's mother visiting from the states. Logically, having visitors tends to force you out and about to see the sights. This time we ventured locally in the region known as the Swabian Alps (Schwäbische Alb in German). The northern corner of this region harbors the city of Tübingen. This city is known worldwide for its prestigious university and mostly untouched medieval architecture in the Altstadt (old city). About 30 km south of Tübingen is a breathtaking castle known as Burg Hohenzollern. This neo-gothic style building is one of 3 elaborate estates of the Hohenzollern family (the lineage of the Kingdom of Prussia). The other 2 residences, Charlottenburg Palace and Burg Sigmaringen are located in Berlin and Sigmaringen respectively. Burg Hohenzollern's history dates back to the 12th century and has been destroyed and rebuilt twice thanks to a 10 month occupation by Imperial Cities of Swabia (Holy Roman Empire) in the 15th century and the "Thirty Years War" in the 17th century.
Interesting facts: Frederick the Great collected ornate snuff boxes (over 300). Frederick William I of Prussia was married to Sophia Dorothea of Hanover (granddaughter of King James I of England)
