A dwarf and a witch's bite...more on the Hiedelberg Schloss

As I was researching history on the Hiedelberg Castle I came across a few myths and legends. The first of which involves the enormous wine barrel deep inside the castle called the Heidelberg Tun (Grosses Fass). This giant vat holds over 220,000 liters (58,000 gallons), stands 6 meters high, and was made of 130 oak trees. There is a staircase up both sides (one of which is a very steep spiral and I almost fell carrying Maddox down it)and a dance floor on the top. The pictures didn't turn out well because there were a lot of people crowding around and it was very dark. There are axe marks in the side where french soldiers attempted to break into it.

Unfortunately this wine barrel was kept dry of wine for the most part, but I did discover an interesting story about people being placed inside. A local ruler, Elector Karl Ludwig, had betroved his daughter to french royalty. The groom's people come to inspect the castle (where the wedding was to be held) and they were basically a pain in the rear, so the Elector proposed that they hold further discussions at a special banquet above the Hiedelberg Tun. He made sure they all had plenty to drink during the banquet and after hours of good spirits, Ludwig proposes a toast, during which guests hear a demonic tune coming from under the floor of the dance floor. The guests race down the steps thinking it is the coming of the devil, but are blocked at the exits by guards. Ludwig calmly walks down the steps and opens a hidden door to the empty Tun to reveal a band of drummers and trumpets. Wedding planning went much easier afterwards.





Across from the incredibly large barrel is a statue of a dwarf, a little Italian man named Perkeo. His name comes from the words "Perche No" meaning "Why not", which is the answer a person would recieve when offering him a drink. He was a court jester in the 18th century who would reportedly drink massive amounts of wine (between 5 and 8 gallons a day). He was given the duty of guarding the massive wine barrel and drank nothing but wine all the way into his eighties. Legend says that he became ill one day and was urged by the doctor to lay off the wine. He protested, but drank the water and died soon after.



Across from the Tun is a small area where you can sit and order a glass of wine. I thought the ceilings and construction were beautiful.



And, of course, the restrooms are not free. There is a small note on the door that says 50 cent and a lady directly inside who will collect the change from you.




There is a huge door that guards the castle entrance. Here is a picture of Cari and Maddox infront of the door.






During an attack the doors close and messengers can only get in or out of the castle through a smaller gate. On the gate is a door knocker or ring (you can't see the ring in the picture because I didn't know what I was looking for when we went. I'll get one next time). Legend says that whoever can bite through the ring will inherit the castle. One day an old witch approached the door and began gnawing on the ring. She tried with all her might, but eventually gave up and vanished. She left a crack on the ring that is now refered to as The Witch's Bite.

Hiedelberg is a breathtaking city and it is an amazing feeling to stand next to something that has lived through so many years and so much history.