Burg Frankenstein-Darmstadt Germany

Welcome to Burg Frankenstein

The Gallows Gross

Wills Nemesis Sentry at the Gate

Yesterday we went to Burg Frankenstein Castle in the heart of Germany. Located just south of Darmstadt and Frankfurt.The castle was built in the 1300's and purported to be the inspiration for Mary Shelly's Classic novel. After a beautiful ride, the trees are in full fall colors, we arrived on a drippy foggy day. I think the weather was perfect it lent a really spooky air to the day. We waited at the castle entrance for them to open and got the kids revved up. Finally they let the crowds in and right from the get go there were monsters and ghouls everywhere. Cody freaked out and started crying right away. Greg picked him up and we started up the trails to the ruins. He cried every time a monster came close and they came VERY close. They grab your hats and try to drag you away which really heightened the effect and mood. We were warned ahead of time that it is very hands on so we chose to go on Family Day which is first in daytime hours so the darkness isn't an issue and second, the monsters will back off a bit and even take off their masks and shake the kids hands. They hand out candy to the really scared kids. As you walk around the grounds you encounter over 70 monsters and ghouls and they are very into their roles. There were kids shows and a monster dance, also they choose random visitors and "torture" them in various shows.Finally we got a few of the monsters to be nice and they signed his cards and he slowly realized the fun of being scared and calmed down. I was glad because from then on he really relaxed and had a good time too. I really didn't think he would be as scared as he was he is usually the braver one though he is only six. The older boys were fine until a monster with a chain saw started it up and started chasing Josh, he took off from him and Will ran the other way it was hilarious watching them lose their cool after saying they wouldn't be scared at all. I guess the only other time Will got scared was by this one monster that is pictured above with the weird eyes he chased Will with some chains and Will freaked out a little bit until the guy took off after someone else. All in all as I am sure you can see we had a GREAT time. The kids talked all the way home about how much fun they had and compared autographs on these collector cards they handed out. We also stopped for the kids first fast food since we got here. They have a FEW McDonald's around Germany and we found one close to the castle and treated them. It is strange for me that that is a rare treat now. People eat out at family style Gausthous's and the food is so Yummy and cheap to buy. The boys all love Snitzel mit Pommes Frites and Spetze to drink which is a cola juice mix that is very popular over here. Well I hope you enjoy the pics it was very hard to decide which ones to use cause we took so many. Love to all and Miss you very much
Happy Halloween!!!!!

the monster dance

The boys had such a great time and there were so many places and scenes to interact with. You never knew when something or someone would jump out at you. the weather was just right and we were glad with the kids we went to the day time tour. The ruins were so cool and creepy. I hope the pictures do it some justice. I just know that my brother would have loved it so much, I kept thinking that all day.

Torture chamber guys
Each path and part of the castle had different scenes and monster, though they all wandered about

One of the scary parts for the kids and you would never see in the states is that it is very very hands on. Monsters are allowed to grab you and mess with you and even drag you off. Now on family day they tone it down alot compared to the night tours. If the kids get scared the monsters back off and try to wave and let the kids see that they are only acting. They will take off their monster hands and maybe wave or give a piece of candy.

scenes along the paths and among the ruins. You could buy cards of the monsters and they would sign them and meet the kids if they got scared, being sort or friendlier versions if the kids freaked out.

Witches were hilarious always dancing around and cackling.

I liked the wizards alot. picture above is of the interior on the ruins with the guillotine in the background. Frank was the coolest. the last picture is the entrance of the ruins. It was rainy and foggy which made it even cooler.