Braubach travel guide and discussion

It's in Rhineland-Palatinate, situated on the right bank of the Rhine River approximately 10 km southeast of Koblenz. It is famous for its intact historic architecture, lush vineyards, and the iconic Marksburg Castle. Marksburg Castle: Perched high above the town, the Marksburg is the only undestroyed hilltop castle on the Middle Rhine. Dating back to the 13th century, this well-preserved fortress is famous for its authentic medieval knight's hall, armory, and castle kitchen. Historic Old Town: The town is filled with narrow alleys, romantic timber-framed houses, and cozy cafes. Visitors can explore ancient landmarks like the 12th-century St. Remigius Church and the Philippsburg, a 16th-century residence that features a Renaissance garden, a wine cellar, and a library. Outdoor Activities: Situated at the point where the Mühlbach flows into the Rhine, Braubach is a great base for active travelers. It offers access to the popular Rheinsteig hiking trail, numerous bike tours, and walking paths along the scenic Rhine riverbank. #travel #river #trails #castle

✨This is no fairy tale! Along the 65 km stretch of the Middle Rhine, a 2,000-year-old historical code is hidden💎 From Mainz to Koblenz, over 50 medieval castles are scattered like pearls on both banks, with every turn revealing UNESCO World Heritage epic scenery🏆 🚢 Best way to explore: You must take the KD cruise!! 📌 Key tips: Boarding point → Rüdesheim Pier Golden time → 4 PM🌇 (The sunlight lazily highlights the golden tops of the castles, breathtakingly beautiful✨) 🔥 Must-visit castles: 1️⃣【Marksburg】The undefeated war god ⚔️ The only medieval castle never conquered · Features a knights' hall + dark torture chambers · Climb to the top for panoramic views of the Rhine Valley 2️⃣【Cat Castle & Mouse Castle】800 years of love and rivalry 🐱Burg Katz VS 🐭Burg Maus facing off across the river 📸 Best light at 5 PM (Capture a Game of Thrones vibe!) 3️⃣【Dragon Castle】Europe’s most expensive love letter of the 19th century 💔 Neo-Gothic spires + stained glass Behind it lies the tragic love story of an industrial tycoon... 4️⃣【Water Toll Station】The unique castle in the river 💰 Charging tolls since the 14th century Boat-shaped design still withstands the Rhine’s flood season 📸 Secret photo spots revealed: ① Bow deck for wide shots of the castle clusters ② Upper viewing platform overlooking terraced vineyards ③ Lorelei Rock is a must-visit! (Legend of the siren’s song lives here) 💡 Helpful tips: · Bring a light jacket in June (the river breeze is cool❄️) · The cruise offers multilingual audio guides · The final stop, Koblenz’s "Deutsches Eck," is perfect for a grand finale photo

🏰 Medieval Castle Tour: A Duet of German Romanticism and Military Fortress · From fairy tale clouds to the emperor’s peak, a millennia-spanning stone epic along the Rhine River · -- 🗺️ Route Overview Neuschwanstein Castle → Hohenzollern Castle → Middle Rhine Castle Cluster Recommended 7-10 days, combination of self-driving + cruise, immersive experience of Germany’s castle golden triangle · -- 🏰 First Stop: Neuschwanstein Castle (2 days) 📍 Ludwig II’s fairy tale dream, the prototype of Disney’s castle 🚌 Arrival and Base · Best base: Füssen town, stay in Alpine-style guesthouses · Transportation: Take the RE train from Munich Central Station to Füssen (about 2 hours), then transfer to bus line 78 🏯 Visiting Guide Morning strategy (avoid crowds): 1. Arrive at the ticket center by 7:30 AM: online booking still requires ticket exchange, earliest entry at 8:30 AM 2. Ways up the mountain: · Horse carriage (front mountain): traditional experience but long queues · Walking (back mountain): 30-minute forested uphill path, passing the Old Swan Castle · Bus: direct to Marienbrücke, but longer queues in peak season Core experiences: · Marienbrücke: classic spot for castle panorama photos (crowds explode after 9 AM) · Guided tour highlights: · Singer’s Hall (inspired by Wartburg Castle) · King’s Bedroom (Gothic carved bed took 14 years to make) · Artificial stalactite cave (the king’s private theater) · Hidden viewpoint: aerial shot of the castle + Alpine lake from Tegelberg cable car 🌊 Nearby Treasures · Hohenschwangau Castle (Old Castle): Ludwig II’s childhood home, more authentic medieval atmosphere · Alpine Lake: 1.5-hour hiking loop, turquoise waters 🍖 Local Flavors · Gasthof Krone in Füssen Old Town for roasted pork knuckle with dark beer · Café Wittelsbacher for royal cream tarts · -- ⚔️ Second Stop: Hohenzollern Castle (2 days) 📍 The cradle of the Prussian dynasty, a military fortress above the clouds 🚗 Transportation · Best by car: about 1 hour from Stuttgart, winding mountain roads with spectacular views · Public transport: train from Stuttgart to Hechingen, then taxi up the mountain 🏰 Castle Highlights Tour route (book English guided tour): 1. Outer wall walkway: 360° panoramic views of the Swabian Alps (Alps visible on clear days) 2. Must-see treasure room: · Replica of the Prussian crown (original lost after the war) · Frederick the Great’s snuffbox 3. Underground fortress: medieval defense structures, catapult demonstration 4. Neo-Gothic hall: stained glass telling the Hohenzollern family’s millennium history Photo moments: · Sunset: castle lights glow like a golden crown · Sea of clouds days: autumn mornings often reveal the “Sky Castle” phenomenon 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations · Burg Hohenzollern Hotel at the mountain base, includes breakfast + priority entry tickets · Or stay in Tübingen university town for a medieval academic atmosphere 🥘 Swabian Cuisine · Maultaschen (pasta pockets with meat filling, legend says hidden meat during fasting) · Local red wine Trollinger paired with onion beef stew · -- 🚢 Third Stop: Middle Rhine Castle Cluster (4-5 days) 📍 UNESCO World Heritage, 60 km condensed with 40 medieval castles 🛳️ Core Experience: Rhine River Cruise · Best river section: Bingen → Koblenz (UNESCO highlight stretch) · Cruise options: · KD daytime cruises (hourly departures, flexible boarding) · Nighttime illuminated cruises (castles lit like fairy tales) · Cabin choice: right side window seat (castles mostly on the right bank downstream) 🏰 Top 5 Must-Visit Castles 1. Marksburg (Braubach town) · The only medieval castle never destroyed, fully showcasing defense systems · Experience: armor wearing, medieval kitchen smoke 2. Cat Castle and Mouse Castle (twin castles facing each other) · Cat Castle: now a youth hostel, can stay overnight (book six months in advance) · Mouse Castle: prison legend, best symmetrical aerial photos 3. Rheinfels Castle (St. Goarshausen) · Giant wine barrel cellar: 220,000-liter capacity, taste castle’s own Riesling · Night sound and light show (three times weekly in summer) 4. Eltz Castle (hidden in a mountain valley) · Access: 40-minute hike from Moselkern town through a magical forest · Treasures: original family residence for 800 years, armory + treasure room awe-inspiring 5. Stolzenfels Castle (across from Koblenz) · Prussian Romanticism masterpiece, climb to see the Rhine and Moselle river confluence 🏘️ Historic Town Connections · Rüdesheim: drink Riesling on Nightingale Alley, take cable car to Niederwald Monument · Bacharach: best-preserved medieval town, walk around the city walls · Koblenz: see the equestrian statue of Wilhelm I at Deutsches Eck, cable car across the Rhine 🍇 Rhine River Food Highlights · Taste Riesling from each castle winery (dry to sweet) · Rüdesheim Asbach coffee (brandy + coffee + cream) · Koblenz pork knuckle at Wirtshaus Alt-Koblenz · -- ✅ Complete Guide to German Castle Travel 🎫 Ticket Strategies · Neuschwanstein: book 3 months in advance on official site, choose English guided tour time · Hohenzollern: combo ticket including garden/treasure room/tour, choose all-inclusive · Rhine castles: buy Romantischer Rhein Ticket (cruise + 3 castle combo) 🚗 Self-Driving Tips · Must rent automatic + full insurance (cobblestone streets in old towns test driving skills) · Parking tip: find “P+R” park-and-ride lots, transfer to bus into old towns · Romantic Road extension: if time allows, drive north from Neuschwanstein along the Romantic Road section 🏨 Accommodation Wisdom · Castle stays: Cat Castle youth hostel, Marksburg knight rooms (unique experience but simple facilities) · Old town choices: stay in Bacharach or Boppard, enjoy castle views without tourists at dawn and dusk 🌦️ Season and Dress · Best seasons: May-June (grape blossom), Sept-Oct (grape harvest + autumn colors) · Essentials: non-slip shoes (steep castle stone steps), binoculars (to see castle details across the river) 💰 Budget Reference · Mid-range comfortable trip: 120-180 euros/day (including castle tickets + cruise + car rental) · Money-saving tips: · Buy regional tickets (e.g., Bavaria ticket, Rhineland-Palatinate ticket) · Picnic with supermarket lunch at castle terraces · Choose family-run inns with breakfast in old towns · -- 🛡️ Castle Pilgrimage Philosophy “Every castle has three lives: military, political, and fairy tale” Make these moments your eternal memories: 1. At Neuschwanstein, listening to excerpts from Lohengrin, suddenly understand Ludwig II’s loneliness 2. On Hohenzollern battlements, wind flutters your clothes like the Prussian flag 3. On the Rhine night cruise passing Lorelei rock, everyone on board sings ancient folk songs together Pre-trip checklist: 1. Background reading: “The Soul of Germany” (explores castles and national identity), Brothers Grimm fairy tales 2. Film resources: documentary “German Castles” (ZDF production), movie “Edelweiss Pirates” (Rhine history) 3. Useful apps: DB Navigator (German Rail), KD Cruise (cruise schedules), Mittelalter (medieval music playlist) Remember: · Experience only 1-2 castles deeply per day, quality over quantity · Chat with castle staff, they often know hidden passages and stories · Collect castle knight badges (each castle shop has unique designs) When your fingers brush the worn edges of the arrow slits at Marksburg, that smoothness was polished day after day by medieval archers—history is never far away, it’s embedded in the memory of these stones. Tie your hiking boots, adjust your binoculars on your chest, the gates of the Middle Ages are slowly opening for you. 🗝️🏰

#discoversaudimoment Marksburg, located atop Braubach in the Rhine Valley of Germany, is the only hilltop castle in the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. Built around 1117 by Count Epstein to protect the town and collect Rhine taxes, it was later expanded by Counts Katzen-Ernborg and Hesse, with the addition of gun emplacements and fortifications. Since 1900, it has been owned by the German Castle Association and opened as a museum. The castle retains its medieval appearance, offers guided tours, and features exhibits on medieval life and a weapons collection. Overlooking the magnificent Rhine Valley, it is a classic landmark of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rhine Valley.

Koblenz is a historic city in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in western Germany. It is located at the "German Corner" (Deutsches Eck) where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. The ancient Roman city with a history of more than 2,000 years was once a European trade and military fortress. It is now famous for its magnificent river scenery, ancient castles and cultural heritage! Marksburg, located in the small town of Braubach near Koblenz, is the only medieval castle along the Rhine that has not been destroyed by war! First built in the 13th century, it has completely preserved the architecture and life scenes of the Knight Age and can be called a "living fossil". Leaving our previous stop, 🇩🇪Rüdesheim, Germany, as the cruise ship slowly sailed away, the castles on both sides of the river receded like a silent movie, and our next stop, Koblenz, was waiting just ahead! ✅Arrived in Braubach and met Marxburg for the first time After the cruise ship docked at the Koblenz Pier, we took the bus arranged by the cruise ship to the nearby town of Braubach. The quiet town is surrounded by vineyards, and Marxburg stands majestically on the top of the mountain. The gray-white stone walls and spires glow coldly in the sun, instantly bringing people back to the 13th century. ✅Road to the Castle: A "time tunnel" from the foot of the mountain to the sky The bus stopped at the foot of the gentle slope of the small town of Braubach. Looking up at Marxburg on the top of the mountain, I suddenly understood why people in the Middle Ages were obsessed with building castles - this angular gray-white behemoth looked like a stone dragon perched on a 130-meter-high cliff. ✅Inside the castle: a medieval murder scenario brought to life Walking through the heavy oak door, the creaking sound of the iron hinges was like opening a time machine. 1⃣Knight's Hall: Banquet and conspiracy intertwined The stone fire pit in the center of the hall had long been extinguished, but traces of smoke spread from the ceiling to the stone pillars, and it seemed that one could smell the burnt aroma of roasted wild boar. The long wooden table was covered with tin tableware. The tour guide suddenly knocked on the edge of the table and said, "Pay attention to these knives and forks. Commoners in the Middle Ages could only eat with their hands. Only nobles were allowed to use iron utensils. But be careful not to get pricked by the splinters!" The spiral staircase in the corner is only wide enough for one person to pass through, and the stone steps are stepped into a smooth arc. When I was climbing up sideways, my back rubbed against the cold stone wall. The tour guide said quietly from behind: "Back then, the soldiers attacked by sticking to the wall. Maybe the place you touched was stained with blood..." 😂 2⃣Armory: The alternative art of cold weapons The wall of crossbows, swords, and maces glowed coldly under the dim light. The most shocking is a set of 15th century Gothic armor, with rivets all over the joints and only a thin seam left on the helmet. "It's hard to even turn your head when you're wearing this. Knights are often trampled to death by their own people." The tour guide picked up a two-meter-long halberd and said, "Do you know why it's called the 'Swiss halberd'? Because it can cut off a horse's legs directly!" 3⃣Medieval kitchen: high tech and heavy taste The huge fireplace was big enough for three people, and blackened copper pots hung on iron hooks. The tour guide pointed to the stone mill in the corner and said: "The nobles eat white bread, the common people eat rye, but the worst is the miller - he inhales too much dust and will not live past 40." On the wooden shelf was a jar of "medieval seasoning" - moldy salt blocks mixed with unidentified herbs. "You know how they preserve meat? They use the mummy-style shroud technique! Spread salt on it, let it dry, then wrap it in linen, and keep it in the cellar for ten years without going bad... Of course, it tastes terrible." 4⃣Open-air viewing platform: The god-level bend composition of the Rhine River After climbing 57 steep stone steps, you will arrive at an observation deck. The midday sun pierced through the clouds, and the Rhine River seemed to be under a spell - the emerald-colored water turned rapidly under our feet, drawing a perfect Ω-shaped arc, and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the opposite bank stood on the cliff like a Lego block. The tour guide handed over a telescope: "Look at the white cruise ship at the river bend. It is crossing the 'Rhine River Photographer's Nightmare' - this bend has caused many people's wide-angle lenses to collapse!" ✅The ultimate secret of the "living" castle Before leaving, I asked the curator a question: "Why did Marxburg escape all the wars?" He pointed to the griffin emblem on the city wall and said: "This is the symbol of the Katzennellenbogen family. They became rich by intermarriage and selling iron ore. Someone wanted to blow it up, but was dissuaded by geologists - the foundation of the castle is a whole piece of basalt, and the consumption of explosives is enough to fight three battles!" Standing at the exit of the castle and looking back, I suddenly found that the outer wall of the tower was covered with vines. The tour guide smiled and said: "That is the wild ivy that was deliberately preserved. It not only prevents rain erosion, but also makes the castle look like it grew out of the cliff. Remember, real monuments do not need to be refurbished into Disneyland. Wrinkles are the medals of history."

The Rhine River is over 800 kilometers long within Germany, and the most scenic part of it is the Middle Rhine Valley - from Mainz to Koblenz. The river winds its way, the water is clear, and on both sides are hillsides covered with green vineyards, with white clouds wandering between the mountains. Atop the ridges on both banks, the most conspicuous are the various medieval castles. Speaking of the nobility in medieval Europe, it was actually quite similar to Chinese villages - a small piece of land often had dozens of counts and marquises, and the area each person governed was about the size of a village. These stone castles along the Rhine were the 'palaces' and offices of these village chiefs... oh no, the noble lords, built on high ground near the river for defense and to conveniently collect tolls from passing boats. Marksburg, with a history of over 700 years, is one of them, towering on the hill of the small town of Braubach on the eastern bank of the Rhine. Over the centuries, this castle has changed hands several times, having been owned by the Lords of Eppstein, the Marquises of Katzenelnbogen, the Counts of Hesse, and the Dukes of Nassau. Later, the German Castle Association purchased it for 1000 marks and turned it into the tourist attraction it is today. To this day, you can still see the family crests of the various owners of Marksburg on the walls of the castle gatehouse. Although Marksburg is not large, it is a representative castle that fully possesses the characteristics of a medieval fortress stronghold, with the main tower, turret, residential tower, gate, and the corridors between the inner and outer walls all well-preserved. Now, it can be said to be a small museum witnessing the history of the castles along the Rhine, where you can see the armor of German knights through the ages, as well as the ancient cannons that once menacingly targeted the Rhine. As a military stronghold, this type of stone fortress was passable, but the lighting and living environment were not very good, suggesting that the lives of medieval European nobility were not too comfortable... By the way, this castle is also one of the few fortresses on the Rhine that has never been conquered. The castle's toilets were suspended outside, and using them was akin to 'bombing'... No wonder the castle walls are full of unidentifiable marks...

Max Castle is the only castle in the Rhine Valley in Germany that has not been destroyed and completely preserves the medieval style. The castle stands on the peak of the right bank of the Rhine. During the Ascension Day in May 2013, taking a cruise on the Rhine River, looking up, Max Castle is particularly spectacular. Max Castle's Max Castle May 2014 during the Advent of the Holy Week, visit the Rhine Valley and visit Max Castle. Visiting the German castle, every time a tour guide takes a team to enter the interior, which is in line with the German personality, reflecting the organization and discipline of the Germans.

D5 Germany-Marxburg (European Castle) Marxburg, the war has not destroyed the heritage, does not accept a single person, there is a special defender to open the key to enter. ~ The Europeans in ancient times were not tall, but there were many unconventional customs, such as squatting on the table, in order to show respect for the guests, and even the guests should open the door to communicate at any time. The tour guide was very funny, saying that there is a gym. As a result, we saw that it was a prison room full of big stone balls~

Marksburg is the only unspoiled medieval castle in the Rhine Valley that has a history of more than 700 years. It is the headquarters of the German Castle Association and one of the most eye-catching sights on the eastern shore of the Rhine. The most impressive thing about me is the Armory, which houses the historic development of armor from 600 BC to 1500 AD. This is very rare, except for the same exhibitions in Paris and London. Figure 1

The castles preserved in the baptism of war and the history of the past, some as hotels, some privately owned, the only one preserved from the Middle Ages, is more than 700 years of history of Marksburg, towering on the east bank of the Rhine The hills covered by the green trees of Braubach. has not been swayed from the visual feast of the middle and upper reaches of the Rhine River, and the Viking Cruises has made further arrangements intimately. In addition to the eye, you can also walk into this castle, immersed in the feelings of thousands of years of change. Marksberg is a typical medieval fortress base. It has the distinctive features of the Knights era and is an outstanding representative of defensive architecture. It consists of a main building, a tower, a residential tower, a gate, a cloister between the inner and outer walls, and a plurality of buildings in the bastion. Walk into Marksburg, the mottled castle walls and the green castles in Max Castle, you can visit the floors, halls, corners, passages, wine cellars, kitchens, knight halls, chapels... just like a show of medieval life Museum. The stone steps of the moss tell us the weather and the weather that has passed through here. The knight in the fairy tale always gives a feeling of tall and mighty, but the statue in the knight's hall is based on the foundation stone under the foot, and it is not much higher than me. Why is this? The professional Chinese explanations hired by the Viking Cruises tell us that this is because the medieval Europeans are actually relatively short in height.

The castle and winery are the main features of the middle of the Rhine in Europe. This morning we visited Marksberg in Braubach, Germany. It is the only castle on the Rhine that has not been destroyed by war. It has a history of more than 700 years. However, the interior of the old castle in Europe is not as luxurious as we imagined. The bed in the master bedroom is narrow and small. Once it is frozen in the castle in winter, the owner must hold the stove to warm up. So we imagine that "the prince and the princess live happily together in the castle" is not the same thing. Is it really a lie in fairy tales?

Marxburg, the only well-preserved medieval castle in the middle and upper reaches of the Rhine, has seen the castles in the mountains and forests for more than 800 years. The fairy tale of Disney is the key to the hh/castle, and the gatekeeper Opened in person, I feel a sense of mystery is getting closer, and I am uncovering this layer of tulle, find the answer Marxburg only accepts guided tours, that is, the team tour led by the goalkeeper, about 50min-1hour/ Hh/ Although it is not big here, in the Middle Ages, there were nearly 150 plantations, and there were many medically valuable herbs and spices, but there were also black medicines sold to witches, such as Mandela grass and devil nets. And poisonous plants such as poisonous celery

Marxburg, the war has not destroyed the heritage, does not accept a single person, there is a special defender to open the key to enter ~ the ancient European is not tall, but there are many incredible customs, such as against the table, in order Representing respect for the guests, even if the guests go to the toilet, they must open their doors and communicate at any time. Viking Viking Cruises The little redsman guide is very funny, saying that there is a gym. As a result, we saw that it was a prison room full of big stone balls~

The first stop after departure is the most complete castle in the Rhine Valley: Marksburg. This Max is not named Marx. The reason why it is named Marksburg is because of a mural "St. Max" in the chapel of the castle, he has been guarding the castle. The magic is that although the castle is quite vulnerable from a distance, it has not been significantly damaged during these centuries and has escaped many wars. Today it is managed by the German Castle Association and is open to visitors. It must be led by a professional team leader in the castle. These leaders are also known as "gatekeepers." They hold huge keys and open the gates of the castle. Before opening a door, they must close the back door. Climb the castle and look down, you can see why this 13th-century castle was built here. The observation tower is 150 meters high and the nearby Rhine Valley has a panoramic view. The hill where the castle is located is located at the corner of the Rhine River. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is very effective to intercept attacks from the river. This is the most spectacular and well-preserved medieval castle on the Rhine. It has a knight hall, main living room, weapon room, fort, chapel, execution room and so on. Because of the importance of geographical location, from the 13th century onwards, expansion and reinforcement will be carried out at regular intervals. Therefore, the architectural style is also the inner palace is Roman palace style, the outer layer is Gothic. There is a small shop in the castle that looks inconspicuous and sells very delicate things. I especially like the notebooks sold here, I have to take one home.

The majesty and grandeur of Marxburg is the first impression I gave. In fact, there is no connection between Marxburg and Marx. The reason for this name is that after the castle has been sold for generations, the final owner is Mark, and the English castle of Remark will be Written as Mark's Castle, it has been called Marxburg over time. is the only castle on the Rhine River that has not been destroyed by war. It has been standing there for more than 700 years, like a warrior guarding this valley, witnessing the cruelty of the surrounding war, people's revival, Tell the posterity what it has witnessed. Walk in the castle, there will be a castle staff trailing all the way, go to a place, it will lock the door that has been visited. The vermilion's outermost gate is indeed the most striking one in the castle. All the way through the castle, the hallway is full of small windows. Opening the window, the towns on both sides of the Rhine are unobstructed. Imagine how important it is to guard the castle on one side of the land, and gradually understand why the castle is built on the top of the mountain.

The middle and upper reaches of the Rhine are all scenic. From Germany, the scenery along the Rhine River is getting more and more beautiful, all the way through the forest, passing through many towns and castles. Visiting Marxburg early in the morning, although it is called Maxwell, there is no relationship with Marx. This is the best preserved medieval castle on the Rhine coast, built in the 13th century. This castle is completely different from the romantic castle in Neuschwanstein, Germany. It is more like a fortress. It is mainly a defensive function. Because of the age, the road in the castle is rugged, not particularly good, all the way to visit. The kitchen, living room, bedroom, iron making room, and the imagination are completely different. overlooking the Rhine and the town on the lookout at the castle, the view is very wide.

As the only undestroyed medieval castle on the Rhine, Marxburg is a symbol of defensive facilities. It was built in the 13th century in Braubach, a small town near Koblenz. Marxburg has fortunately avoided the baptism of two world wars in the history of more than 700 years, which is inseparable from the EPPSTEIN family that built it. Looking down from the top defense platform of Marxburg, you can see the beautiful scenery on both sides of the Rhine. ~ The entrance to the castle is very interesting. It is to change the original big arch, the tour guide said that this is also For better defense, it is not easy for the enemy to enter. The bed in the castle is very small, and the size of this castle must not be able to accommodate the Europeans. The tour guide explained that people at that time thought that lying down was a dead person's posture, and they were very afraid of this position. Therefore, they are sitting and sleeping, the bed naturally does not need to be so long, shocked me.