Gleichen
One of the entrances to the lower sections of the castle.
While atop one of the Gleichen castles I heard the sound of a heavy propellor engine, and looked up to catch this Anatov AN-2 Colt, an early Cold War Soviet light transport, flying over head.  Had I had my A100 with the telephoto lens with me, the photos would have been better.  Many still use the AN-2 in the old East Bloc, as well as in remote areas of the world as its rugged construction allows it to be used under very spartan conditions.

The photo to the far right is from Aerospaceweb, showing what the AN-2 looks like in military configuration.


Below, a nice view of Gleichen from the nearby Muhlburg.
Below, a view from Gleichen looking towards Wachsenburg.
Right, a couple I met from western Berlin.  I was able to ask them about conditions in eastern Berlin after the "einheit" in which they confirmed that people were smiling now, unlike during the Cold War when under the control of the Marxists.
Right, the toilet in the keep!  It has had restoration work but is based on the original design.
The main gate from within looking out.  The depth of the gate area would allow a small number of men to defend from an attack.
The keep as seen from the trail below.  This provides a good example how the keep could dominate the approaches to the main gate.