The Altan, a broad platform projecting northwards from the Friedrich Building, offers: a magnificent and much admired view of the town in the Near Valley and of the Rhine Plain over to the mountains of the Palatinate. The building of the Altan, also erected under Friedrich IV was directly connected with the Friedrich Building , as when the latter was built a number of alterations had to be made in the northern access to the castle leading from the Burgweg . The need for such a splendidly situated architectural area with 480 sq. yards for great receptions and festive occasions, together with the magnificent gardens laid out a few years later, is evidence of the feeling for beautiful landscapes reawakened during the Renaissance. Below the Altan is the Gate Hall traversed as we come up from the Burgweg
From the Altan we have a view of the whole of the north side of the castle, from the Bell Tower over the plain front of the Hall of Mirrors, in contrast to the pomp of the Friedrich Building. The latter is adjoined by the Frauenzimmer Building and projecting a1ong the Altan the Vat Building; further to the west the elaborately constructed exterior of the English Building and the Thick Tower.
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