On our way home we stopped by the Ehrenberg Castle Ensemble in Austria (also called the Ehrenberg Ruins). It consists of four 13th century medieval castle ruins (that were once connected by a wall). It also has a kid-friendly Castle Museum that the girls loved. I really wanted to hike up to the ruins but since we had a 6 hour car trip to get through that day we opted to just check out the playground and museum.

Ehrenberg Ruins (snapped this from the road as we were driving by)

this dragon was a big hit…

it even squirted water out of it’s nose!

…which Quinnie found out the hard way (lol!)

 

 

at the castle museum…

 

 

 

Simon trying on the gear

 

Throughout the tour the kids had the option to fill out a quiz (questions asked in each room of the Museum). If you got all of the questions right you were knighted at the end of the tour. The girls took the quiz in German and passed with flying colors!

 

Papa and Quinnie

 

Quinnie’s turn. She had to weigh herself with and then without the armor for the quiz.

 

This picture cracks me up. In this room we learned all about the Bubonic Plague. Quinnie was afraid she would get it (that’s why she’s covering her mouth and nose) and asked, “Is there Bubonic Plague in this room Mama?”

Quinnie, Papa, Kiera

Quinnie and Kiera’s certificate that they passed the quiz and were to be knighted…

 

Then they were allowed to pick out something from the gift shop. Kiera picked a wooden sword and shield. Quinnie picked a Knight pencil sharpener.

Kiera loves her sword and shield. A few days after we got home I found her on the potty like this (with her swan also!). She insisted on bringing them for “show and tell” day at school.

Here’s more info on Ehrenberg Ruins if you’re interested…

and one more link…

 

 

Ettal Abbey is a Benedictine Monastery built in the 1300’s (and since rebuilt a few times). We stopped by there on the way home from Linderhof. Simon and Kiera were tired, so only Quinnie and I went in to check it out.

 

Quinnie

 

 

view opposite the entrance

 

There was a church service going on when we slipped in so I was only able to snap a few pics with my iPhone surreptitiously…

Wish I’d had a chance to get more photos- the frescos on the domed ceiling are amazing- you can see them in the link I’ll put at the end of this post.

There are 50 monks who live here and they run their own brewery and distillery (among other businesses). They are famous for their Ettaler Kloster Liqueur (an herbal liqueur). I bought these sample packages for Oma and Opa and Tante Ruth.

Here’s more information on Kloster Ettal if you’re interested…