Wow.  Although this was not the first castle I’d been to it was most certainly the oldest and also the only one I’d been able to actively explore.  No, this castle was no palace, but rather a strong stone fortress, and I loved exploring every nook and cranny.  This castle belonged to Godfrey of Bouillon, and the castle of course is located in Bouillon.  Bouillon is a small town now in the south eastern region of Belgium located very close to Luxembourg.  Godfrey was one of the leaders of the successful first Crusade.  He basically leased every single piece of his estates to raise money for the expedition.  Unfortunately he never returned, because after taking Jerusalem he was slain by arrow at Acre, if my memory serves me well.  There was a falconry show going on in the inner bailey and I glanced at it from time to time.  I didn’t sit and watch due to time constraints and a burning desire to explore but I was able to watch from the battlements.  There were some very cool (both literally and figuratively) tunnels beneath the keep and I loved those.  The torture chamber was pretty cool to see although not very well equipped.  Just a rack, some spikes and various pincers and pokers.  But they were all very old and quite authentic to my eye at least.  The wood appeared aged enough and the passing of time was quite evident, not to mention the implements corresponded with the time period.  But now I fear my inner historian/archaeologist is bursting through.  Loved this place.