THE CASTLE GROUNDS

Nobles had to build the castle on mountain tops where there was very little space. The grounds usually were large enough to use for hunting. The homes have extremely thick stone walls around the house to make it even more secure from intruders. The walls around the castle are usually quite thick, about 7-12 feet thick and around 30-44 feet tall. No windows were in the lower part of the castle making it even harder to penetrate the interior of the castle. The upper levels of the castle had windows with seats in each window making it easier to determine if there was any approaching danger.A guest house, storehouse for supplies, an armory, and stables along with a, blacksmith and other workshops all made up part of the inner part of the area surrounding the home.

The schloss was used for large social events. German castles not only have a garden but the lawn has a fountain [in the center] with a lime tree which is considered proper tree for social parties. The branches of the lime tree are widely extended. There is usually a seat below and benches may actually be found in boughs of branches lower to the ground. The whole tree is surrounded by a barrier which appears to be brick.