Fascination with Castles

Today I visited Heidelberg Castle. The castle was a symbol of power and prestige of the Prince Electors of the Palatine. I learned that after the fire in 1689, the palace was never rebuilt. However, the castle ruins continue to lure tourists from all around the world. What fascinated me is the sheer size and the intricacy of architecture. The castle walls, stairways, towers, and gates all reflected the power of the men that lived in this castle. Thousands of details meticulously carved into every single stone. Truly an ode to human perseverance and architectural excellence. What interested me further was the fact that it was culture-specific experience, something that humans take as natural and irreplaceable element of their collective consciousness.