Burg Hohenzollern (5th June 2014)

Located 50km south of Stuttgart, Burg Hohenzollern (Hohenzollern Castle) sits atop Mount Hohenzollern. It is the ancestral home of the Hohenzollern Dynasty, which is today headed by Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia.

While not as popular as Munich's Schloss Neuschwanstein, what it lacks in size is certainly matched up by its beauty. The fact that it is less popular meant that it wasn't swarmed by tourists even though it was already June.

Would have been really pretty with snow and all but I'm thankful that there was really good weather because the photos turned out great. Turns out there is a lot of history behind it and hopefully, I'll still remember most of it as I recollect the stories from here.

Ended the day back in Stuttgart at the really beautiful Schlossgarten. Headed back to Austria for the weekend before heading home to Graz.

(Written and Posted on 5th August 2014)

After a challenging hike up Mount Hohenzollern, the gates of the castle greeted us.

Some bits of interesting information of the castle is that it is a host to children in the summer, where they are guests of the Prussian Prince.

Towering guards that seemingly protected the castle from harm. I can imagine there used to be actual guards instead of statues in the past.

From the viewpoint of one of the castle guards, looking out towards the hills and the little towns and villages around the castle.

The Chapel of St. Michael, the only Medieval remains of the castle. The rest of the castle had been replaced by the 3rd version of the castle which was built for the Prussian King Frederick William IV.

The view of the South-Western side of the castle along with St. Michael's Chapel from the Bastion Garden.

The same view, only this time without the "historical" colour tone and with Jason standing on the bench.

My turn to go on the bench and as you can see from the comparison in size, the castle is huge!

At the castle courtyard with as much of the castle as possible.

It's same photo at the castle courtyard, taken from the castle garden up, only that I've now invaded into the photo.

After a quick lunch, it was my turn for a shot with the castle courtyard.

The highest point of the castle is simply called, The Point. Here, you see it with the flag finally flying.

The Gate Tower. The same one which the statue guards were seemingly guarding earlier.

The need for a zoom lens can't be emphasized more with this photo. Captured a few good shots of the entire Hohenzollern Castle on the way back to Bahnhof Hechingen. Chose this one not because it's the most central, but because it seems to emphasize on the towering presence of the castle.

Back in Stuttgart at the Oberer Schlossgarten, where the fountain from the Eckensee, along with the evening sun set up a very beautiful photo. Credit to Jason for the photo idea.

The Eckensee and the Staatstheater Stuttgart (Stuttgart State Theater) with the pretty sunset glow!

A full day out at the Hohenzollern Castle  ends at the Neues Schloss at Schlossplatz glowing from the evening sun.

I think I remember it being a tiring day but we got by. Dinner was some Spätzle with mushrooms if my memory didn't fail me.

S2ttgart (4th-6th June 2014)

Back in Stuttgart for the 2nd time because the day trip back during Easter just left me asking for more. Was convinced by Jason to come back also because of Burg Hohenzollern, which is featured in another story album.

The Swabian Metropolis continues to strike me as a very organized city surrounded by well-designed, well-engineered and well-built structures. I'd go as far as to say that Stuttgart is one of the best Science and Technology cities I've come across.

Was delighted to get a second chance to explore it in greater detail, not just the architecture and museums, but also the Swabian food too.

Here's the very beautiful Ludwigsburg Palace in all its glow under the 6pm sun!

(Written & Posted on 5th August 2014)

Arrived in Stuttgart in the midst of gloomy weather and light rain. So by the time the rain (kinda) stopped, we were past Schlossplatz, done with the Landesmuseum Württemberg (Württemberg State Museum) at the Altes Schloss. So here we were at Schillerplatz with Schiller and the Stiftskirche in the background.

Here's someplace you'll only go if you've got the Stuttcard: the Schweine Museum. Anything you can dream of being piggy is right in here, from Christmas trees to buses and even to Mick Jagger! If you're asking "why the coat?", then I can only say, "Spring never came and Summer's not coming"

Here's a Swabian delight at Kursaal Bad Cannstatt. It's a Zwiebelrostbraten, which is grilled beef served with a red wine sauce, sauteed onions and roasted potatoes. Not too sure if it's the right place to have it, because it was quite a pinch on the pockets. Ouch!

Kursaal (Spa Hall) or at least that's what it was formerly used for. It's now used by Kursaal Bad Canstatt as a restaurant. It's located within Kurpark in the Bad Canstatt area, which is quite a distance out from Stuttgart's city centre.

Fast forward to Day 3 because Day 2 was spent at Burg Hohenzollern. Here we are, in the Mercedes Benz Museum going through some bits of its history.

I must admit that I know nothing about cars and to me, as long as it, along with its accessories (especially the A/C), works, I'm fine with it. Still, this is one nice car! :)

Here's an example of why I say Stuttgart buildings are well-designed. Most people might find the Mercedes Benz Museum weird because of its structure but it sure does stand out and it serves it purpose as a museum housing its history.

You've still got to get a picture with the Mercedes Benz insignia while at the museum even though there's one at Stuttgart HBF.

Spent a little too much time at Mercedes so we rushed over to the Porsche Museum which is at the opposite end. Certainly not as big, but its got its nice cars too. Love to see the Police "fitted" with speedy cars. There's a Need for Speed for cops too eh?

Here's the Porsche Cayman S... And that's as far as I can go in terms of telling you what car it is. I'm just clueless about cars.

Here's Jason being his usual cool self in the Porsche 911 S Cabrio.

My turn to take a seat in the Porsche 911 S Cabrio. That's as close I'll ever get to driving a Porsche, simply because this sort of car is just not for me.

Just outside the Porsche Museum. Another example of a building that's designed and built in a very unconventional way. The idea of these "specially built" buildings is, to me at least, signature Stuttgart.

Even though Stuttgart is full of modern buildings, the historical ones are still very well preserved. Here's the majestic fountain within the garden at the Ludwigsburg Palace.

The opposite side of the Ludwigsburg Palace. Probably not as popular as the Schönbrunn, but most certainly more impressive.

When in Germany, you've just got to have Schweinshaxe (Pork Knuckle)! Unbelievably huge one served at the Brauhaus Schönbuch and way more affordable as compared to Kursaal.

When I arrived in Stuttgart for the first time, it was this signature tower at the HBF that welcomed me. So on the last night I was there, it had to be the same one to bid me farewell, but this time, it's nicely lit up just after sunset.

Stuttgart was lovely once again and I really enjoyed it even though it was my second time. Who knows, I'll be back again in future for other reasons. Until then, Auf Wiedersehen, 

Schwabenmetropole!

Stuttgart: Das neue Herz Europas (14th April 2014)

Stuttgart: Das neue Herz Europas (The new Heart of Europe)

After “München mag dich”, Easter #2 is Stuttgart.

Schwabenmetropole (Swabian Metropolis), as the Swabian natives call it, is probably most well-known for Mercedes Benz! But hey, they don’t have the city’s name on their logo, unlike Porsche! And if you’re a chocolate lover, you have to know that Ritter Sport is from Stuttgart too!

Coming here on a Monday meant that the Porsche and Mercedes Benz museums were out of bounds. No worries though as the city sure has enough to keep you occupied for a day. From the Königstraße shopping street, to the museums and the beautiful Schlossgarten… maybe one day wasn’t enough.

Which is why I’ve decided to head back! For more Ritter Sport!!! 

While chewing onto some Ritter Sport, these are the stories from Stuttgart.

Quadratisch. Praktisch. Gut

(Written on 29th May 2014)

Starting off with Königstraße with the iconic Hauptbahnhof tower in the background. The main shopping street of Stuttgart is perhaps the equivalent of Orchard Road back in Singapore, only that it's pretty much a pedestrian-only street. It literally means "King Street" and is said to be Germany's longest pedestrianised street.

Das Neue Schloss (The New Palace) and Schlossplatz. Built in a late-Baroque style, it was badly destroyed when the Allies bombed the place during WWII but was restored during the early 1960s. It is now home to the State's Education and Finance Ministries.

Altes Schloss (Old Castle). If there's a Neue Schloss, there has to be an Altes Schloss. Like the Neue Schloss, it was subjected to Allied bombing damage but was restored in the late 1960s. It stands just adjacent to its "successor". Here is Count Eberhard on his horse just after the bells go off at noon. The Old Castle runs along Karlsplatz and there is a museum there dedicated to Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, best remembered for Operation Valkyrie.

The Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church) is an Evangelical-Lutheran church. Unfortunately, like the two castles, it was subjected to the same treatment from the Allies and has been gradually restored since the 1950s. It's Romanic style makes it stand out from most churches.

The Stuttgart Rathaus (City Hall). It's modern outlook comes as a surprise because it has been the way it is since the mid-1950s. The bells in the clock tower plays Swabian folk songs at very unique timings daily (11:06, 12:06, 14:36 and 18:36).

The Leonhardskirche (St. Leonard's Church), the 2nd oldest church in Stuttgart.

Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart (State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart) This new main entrance building was designed by Brtish architect, James Stirling who also designed the acclaimed Neue Staatsgalerie just a short walk away from here.

 Museum der Bildenden Künste (Museum of Fine Arts) is the Old State Gallery, a part of the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart which also includes the Neue Staatsgalerie.

As part of Stuttgart 21, many reconstructions and changes have been initiated. While the pretty flowers blossom in Spring, this photo clearly disguises the protests against the project where posters were put up all over the place around the HBF.

Consider the flowers of the field, how they grow: they neither labour or spin. And if God cares so wonderfully for the flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, He will certainly care for you...

...Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle (Culture and Convention Center) where there are 5 halls, of which 4 are in here, with the names of each hall in memory of these great musicians.

Hospitalskirche (Hospital Church): a Medieval church built as a three-aisled Gothic hall. Restoration efforts saw this tower (along with its bronze bells) added to the main building.

To feed my obsession over the Stuttgart HBF, Ching had taken over at least 2 dozen photos for me. Had to return him the favour, even if it were just this one.

After a big roundabout around the city, it's a return to Schlossplatz where the rainclouds from the morning have departed.

RITTER SPORT!!! Was initially harbouring slim hopes of a return to Stuttgart to get more. But I'm most certainly going back now! Yay! More chocolates! :P

This is the tool you use to measure chocolates!

Selected by UNESCO for inclusion into the World Cultural Heritage list, the Stuttgart 21 project threatens to demolish parts of the complex. The fact that the Mercedes-Benz star sits atop the 12-storey tower probably shows how important it is to the city of Stuttgart. I've only caught a glimpse of Stuttgart and I'm looking forward to coming back here next week! But that's a story for another time.

For the continuity of the Easter stories, it's time to go along the River Neckar and head to Heidelberg!