The Lafayette Monthly Volume 5 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1875 Excerpt: ...its walls twenty-one feet in thickness. The towers are placed in the most exposed positions, principally at the corners of the castle. Owing to portions of the castle being destroyed so often during the Thirty Years' War, and subsequently, parts of it are older than others, and the portions which were rebuilt during the reign of succeeding sovereigns were named after them. Among the finest of the more modern buildings are the Otto Heinrichbau and Friedrichbau. The former, built in 1556, occupies the eastern part of the castle, and its decorations, admirably executed in the purest renaissance style, are attributed, to designs of Michael Angelo. Over the door is the bust of E. Otto Henry, who erected this building. Higher up, in twelve niches, are statues of mythological characters. Over the windows are medallions of Roman Emperors, and in four lower niches are placed statues of Joshua, Samson, Hercules and Mars. The latter building, dating from i6oi, judging from its architectural beauty, was designed to surpass the rest of the edifice. The front, like the other, is embellished with statues of sixteen Electors, from Othos of Witelbach (1184) to Friedrich V. (1607); above these, to the left, is Charlemagne. This is the only part of the castle now under roof, and it contains many curiosities found near and about the grounds. Near this is the entrance to the spacious cellar, which contains the " Heidleberg Tun" made in 1751, and capable of holding 49,000 gallons or 283,200 bottles. It has only been filled three times, and then from taxes paid in wine. There are also several other casks of immense size near by. A vaulted passage leads from here to the "Great Balcony," which commands a beautiful prospect of the Neckar. Beneath this balcony another ...