A long anticipated visit

After close to four years of hearing stories about Marburg (Germany), I finally had the chance to see the place with my own eyes. An hour north of Frankfurt, Marburg is one of Germany's five university villages. The University of Marburg is the oldest protestant university in the world.

Its status as a university village is reflected in its youthful population and the numerous student associations that call this village home.  It is at once charming and pretty with Gothic churches, traditional houses and cobbled pavements.

I couldn't help but take pictures of the picturesque town square with its statue of St. George that seems to have remained unchanged since the medieval times.

To get to the Chateau there is a steep winding climb up but the panoramic views make up for it.

I took this one halfway up...

Doesn't this traditional beergarten have a magnificent view. If only for that, its worth taking a seat and having a beer or two.

 Huffing and puffing our way up to the top, we finally saw the castle up close..

But I was more taken by the vista spread out before us...

It was a great visit, one that I will definitely be doing again as I hear that Marburg under the snow is a sight to be seen. Plus, there's a Christmas market.  How can I resist that?