These castles are all across Europe (although most are not quite so beautiful) and, like this one, many are privately owned!
This ancient fortress loomed over the valley of Valkenburg, and was the strategic location from which various overlords ruled the border region of The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. It was the scene of many fierce battles and was eventually blown up one final time, leaving the ruins that stand today, which are great fun to explore!
The Knight’s Hall was two stories high, and loomed over the valley and village of Valkenburg.
This oubliette (dungeon with only a ceiling exit) was so identified by its lack of ground-level entrances. The idea was that you tossed people down there to ‘forget about them.’ Perhaps you might toss food down occasionally. See ‘The Labyrinth’ for a more detailed explanation.
The hills around Valkenburg are filled with incredible ‘marlstone’ mines dating back hundreds of years. They extend for many, many, many miles, and are filled with charcoal paintings and carvings (the stone is soft) left by miners and artists. They also contain a nuclear fallout shelter equipped to house several thousand people, and were used to get behind German lines in World War II.
In ancient times, persecuted Christians held secret and illegal masses in the mines.
Our guide, pictured here, spent 10 days at the age of seven with several hundred villagers hidden in the mines from the German army, during World War II.
Some famous dinosaur fossils have been found in the mines, and carvings abound.
Unsuspecting, about to partake of the local vegan Mexican fare. It was so hot that our stomachs hurt so much we could barely walk afterwards! The effect was strangely delayed, not striking until after dinner …
