Have you ever been to a light show at a castle, at night? Well, this evening is your chance at Schloss Drachenburg. There is also next weekend, when the castle again will be lit in beautiful colors. If you miss it, just come back next year…

Because it’s totally worth it, and really enchanting.

Schloss Drachenburg, built in 1882, sits halfway to the top of the Drachenfels, one of the Seven Hills, or Siebengebirge, in North Rhine-Westphalia. You can take a railway (which will be crowded for events like this) or walk. It is a bit steep at the beginning, but not really difficult.

Roam the castle, climb the towers, and if you are hungry, have a snack in the restaurant, or enjoy the mulled wine and snacks sold at the booths on the little plaza in front of it.

When I was there a few weeks ago, it was foggy, which gave the whole place a special atmosphere of its own.

This year, you will also find lots of references to the composer Ludwig van Beethoven – after all, we’re celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday this year.

The light show – and the references to Beethoven – continue inside the castle.

And if you really pay attention, you may be able to find the dragon, after which the mountain, and the castles are named. To give you a hint: dragons don’t live in castles. They prefer caves….