In fact, the Heidelberg Tun has sat empty for most of its life.
When Mark Twain went to visit the famous wine barrel, the Tuns enormous size failed to excite him.
I think it likely that one of these statements is a mistake, and the other is a lie.
An empty cask the size of a cathedral could excite but little emotion in me.
Photo credit:Shujaa_777 / Shutterstock.com
The Heidelberg Tun was built in 1751 by the Prince Elector Karl Theodor.
It remained the largest barrel in the world until Karl Theodor surpassed it with Heidelberg Tun.
This was Heidelbergs fourth wine barrel.
By then, Heidelberg Castle was already in ruins with damage sustained during many wars with the French.
Surprisingly, Heidelberg Tun survived.
The ruin of Heidelberg Castle.
One can still see their aggression in the form of axe marks on the dark wooden staves.
By the 1800s, the Heidelberg Castle and the Heidelberg Tun were already a tourist attraction.
His letters and actions eventually forced the authorities to plan the restoration of the castle.
The Heidelberg Tun, circa 1900.
Photo credit:Wei-Te Wong/Flickr
