Visiting Vaduz

First full day of the holiday and left Germany to go to Switzerland via Austria and Leichtenstein. Took this picture of the Royal Palace in Vaduz which seemd dwarfed by the mountains around it. The Liechtenstein Family acquired Vaduz Castle in 1712 when it purchased the countship of Vaduz. At this time, Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, combined the countship with the Lordship of Schellenberg, purchased by the Liechtensteins in 1699, to form the present Principality of Liechtenstein.

The castle underwent a major restoration between 1905 and 1920, then again in the early 20s during the reign of Prince Johann II, and was expanded during the early 1930s by Prince Franz Joseph II. Since 1938, the castle has been the primary residence of Liechtenstein's Royal Family. The castle is not open to the public as the royal family still live in the castle.