Visiting the ‘Texas of Germany’

            Last in a series on my recent trip to Bavaria and Austria.   UNTERNEUKIRCHEN, BAVARIA — Famed European travel writer Rick Steves once called Bavaria the “Texas of Germany.” It is by far the largest of the 16 German states, comprising about one-fifth of the country. Just as folks in Texas often refer to themselves as Texans — a habit not practiced in most states — folks in Bavaria often call themselves Bavarians first, rather than Germans. Both Bavaria and Texas were once independent and not part of another country. As Steves notes, many Bavarians really...

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The Longest Castle in the World

BURGHAUSEN, BAVARIA — Historians differ on when this lovely small city, built along the Salzach River that divides it from Austria, was actually founded. The oldest mention dates to 1025. Archaeologists have discovered artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age, approximately 5,000 years ago. The town predates the dawn of Christianity by centuries. On a ridgeline, in the Upper Bavarian Alpine foothills above Burghausen, stands the longest castle in the world. It spans 1,051 meters (about 11.5 football fields). Daughter Mere and I visited the castle while son-in-law Matt worked in town. We first...

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