Since gold is a sign of wealth, wealthy people try to use it in any area. Everything is done in order to demonstrate your status and surprise others. It is for this purpose that edible gold appeared, which is also called leaf gold.
For the first time, such a variant of processing a precious metal arose in China, the mention of it dates back to 1700. But gold leaf was originally conceived as an element of interior decoration. And only then did the confectioners come up with another use for gold.
Edible gold
Gold leaf and applications
Gold leaf is a type of metal processing in which it is rolled into a thin sheet 100 nanometers thick. This is facilitated by such physical properties gold like:
- Malleability, due to which the precious metal can be rolled into a thin sheet or wire and at the same time maintain the integrity of the element.
- Plasticity of metal.
- Lack of interaction with the environment.
- The softness of metal. Gold is a soft substance, in its pure form, a gold product can be crumpled, leave a scratch even with a fingernail, and deform.
Gold leaf has a formula or manufacturing sequence. The essence of the technique lies in the fact that first a large bar of gold is cast. Then the block is cut into smaller pieces in the shape of cubes. They are placed on a precious metal anvil and beaten with a hammer until the pieces become flat. For the operation to be successful and the bar turned into a plate, you need to inflict more than two hundred blows with a hammer.
Of course, the whole procedure is mechanized, since the hammer must be hit in a certain order and place. This is necessary in order to break the bar evenly, to make its thickness very thin and uniform. Of course, in the old days it was done by an employee with a good eye. Manufacturers are now gradually moving away from machines and conveyors to robots that transfer plates.
Gold in food The resulting plates fit into a book that can contain up to three hundred pages. The plates must be free of cracks, scratches or breaks. The manufacturing process itself consists of thirty operations, and each manufacturer keeps it secret.
Among the areas of use of gold leaf are:
- Decorating items. Applying a layer of precious metal to objects is called gilding. This is the simplest and oldest method of gilding products. Today, gilding is used by means of electrolysis and galvanization. The technology is considered to be more durable than the use of plates, which can peel off over time and lose their visual appeal faster. Therefore, precious metal leaf in the interior is now used less often.
- Reception with food. Edible gold is used as an additive called E175. The additive contains gold leaf with a metal content of 96%, and 4% of the product consists of silver.
Gold as a food supplement
The intake of natural precious metal in food, even together with silver, is absolutely harmless. The material is hypoallergenic and does not cause side effects. Gold is included in European additives. It was first added to food in the United States, then fashion came to Europe and Russia. Also, precious metal is used as food decoration in China and India.
It is believed that edible gold is useful from time to time to be taken internally, because it has such effects as:
- cleansing the body;
- improving the work of the cardiovascular system and liver;
- silver, which is present in the composition of food decoration, has antibacterial properties.
The element is excreted from the body unchanged. It also has no tendency to accumulate. Of course, there are gold compounds that harm the body, in particular the liver and kidneys. But firms that produce gold leaf necessarily report whether it can be used in confectionery. It is also important to observe the dosage of the substance, otherwise intoxication of the body may occur. But this is extremely rare, since manufacturers do not add precious metals to the product in kilograms, the bill goes to milligrams.
Confectioners are especially fond of such decor for its unique appearance. The product can be given a smooth and shiny surface, which is very fashionable lately. And also edible gold has no smell and taste, therefore, it will not spoil the properties of the product and is applicable to any dish. Some people also believe that the precious metal attracts good luck, so eating it will bring the owner luck in life.
Of course, decorating confectionery or other food with such a substance is an expensive pleasure. Therefore, most often decor in the form of an additive E175 is found at weddings, anniversaries and other special events for VIPs. Confectioners have learned to decorate the surface of cakes, add small plates to other desserts.
V Everyday life It is hardly possible to find food with E175 additive, the use of such raw materials in production is unprofitable due to low demand, which drives the company at a loss. But recently, a firm in Switzerland launched candy that has been wrapped in a gold shell to surprise its customers with a novelty. You can also often find alcoholic beverages that contain leaf flakes. In Japan, it is believed that sake with the addition of precious metal particles is less harmful to the body. Gold flakes can also be found in such drinks as: "Gold Polubotka", "Goldschleger", "Gdansk Vodka".
Edible gold is a godsend for confectioners, but quite a serious sum for the buyer of such food. Therefore, not everyone in their life succeeds in trying a product with the addition of E175. The appearance of a dessert or other dish is pleasantly surprising for guests. But it should be remembered that gold in food plays an exclusively aesthetic role and does not give food a new shade of taste or smell.
Hello everyone! Today we will focus on the Lion's Castle. This is how the German castle of Levenburg is called. This castle stands on high mountain in Bavaria, the city of Kassel, in the Wilhelmshoehe park. The city of Kassel itself is part of tourist route with the magical name "German Fairy Tale Road". This road runs through places associated with ancient traditions and legends. There are many secrets, a lot of antiquity, and, of course, castles. One of which we will talk about today.
The idea to build Schloss Löwenburg came to William IX. According to his idea, it was supposed to be not just a castle, but something like a medieval English palace.
In order to implement this plan, the architect of Wilhelm IX, Johann Christoph Wussowu, went to England. There he carefully and in detail studied the features of the ruins of medieval fortresses. After that, he created his own plan for a new "old" castle with an adjoining Yussovu garden.
From 1793 to 1806, builders carefully erected the dilapidated castle. As a result, a picturesque pseudo-fortress was born, surrounded by the greenery of the garden.
Features of the castle
Levenburg was one of the first such facilities in Europe. The idea was liked by many, soon the fashion was picked up, and elaborate ruins appeared in other cities. Creation of a skillful imitation requires a flight of imagination, and it costs no less than the construction of a "whole" park. Therefore, surpassing the creation of Christoph Wussoff is not so easy.
To begin with, the garden is picturesquely scattered:
- fake ruins
- fake aqueducts of Rome
- cute "toy" ancient greek temples
- around the castle there is an insurmountable (at least at first glance) moat, which can be crossed over a drawbridge.
- the yard is surrounded by the inherent attributes of any medieval castle: tower-palace, gallery and gate.
In other words, Levenburg and the area around it look like a fan of antiquity. architectural complex, a fortress that survived more than one siege.
The inner atmosphere of the castle is no less unique. Here, as it should be, there are medieval furniture, collections of armor and weapons, altar plates, tables for games, stained glass windows and impressive statues.
On the territory of the castle complex there is a chapel with the tomb of William IX, who bequeathed to bury him here.
Next to the castle is the weapons room, which is worth a look. It contains weapons and armor of the 15th-16th centuries.
Castle surroundings
If you go up the hill from Leuvenburg, you will see another huge palace.
This is the Wilhelmshohe palace. Now he is occupied Art Museum... The exposition includes expensive collections of monuments of ancient architecture and a gallery of old masters.
Alley next to Leuvenburg castle
The palace is also surrounded by a park, in a completely different style. But the main attraction of the Wilhelmshohe Park, which attracts thousands of tourists, is a cascading fountain falling from the mountain, from under their feet. giant statue Hercules.
Advice: of course, visiting these two parks and palaces must be combined. This is a single architectural complex on a hill.
Working hours
- January, February: from 10:00 to 16:00
- March - October: one hour longer.
What is the price
- adult ticket - € 4
- students € 2, people under 18 years old admission is free.
How to get there
It is very easy to get to the park in which the castle is located: either by tram number 1 to the Wilhelmshöhe stop, or to the station of the same name by train. Then walk through the park and past the Wilhelmshohe castle. Or on a tourist train that runs through the park.
The locomotive runs through the park only on Wednesdays. The cascade waterfall for tourists is also open only on Wednesdays. In connection with the reconstruction of the park, this operating mode will last until 2018.
Address: Schloss Wilhelmshöhe, 34131 Kassel, Germany
Castle Leuvenburg on the map
Leuvenburg Castle is a real find for lovers of romantic ruins and classical European painting.
We hope that our article will help you see all the fun in the park. Thank you for reading us. Subscribe to the news so you don't miss out on anything important. And see you soon!
In Germany, in the city of Kassel, an old, graceful, beautiful Levenburg castle or Lvov castle was built. It is made in compliance with medieval customs, with a moat surrounding it, a drawbridge through which you can get to the castle, an open gallery and a gate. The castle of Levenburg is decorated with bronze statues. Inside, in the four princely apartments, made in the Baroque style, there are medieval furniture and antique rarities: an altar, weapons, armor, stained glass windows of medieval churches and abbeys, gambling tables, and much more.Despite the fact that the castle was built in 1800, it looks like a survivor of numerous battles in the Middle Ages. But this is only an artificially created appearance, reminiscent of illustrations for fairy tales or knightly novels. Lviv Castle is practically the first building in the neo-Gothic style in Germany.
This building in various styles of many countries of the world was created by Heinrich Christoph Jussoff on the orders of William the Ninth, an adherent of the romanticism of Gothic architecture, to meet with his mistress Caroline von Schlotheim. Later, the Landgrave, who died at the age of 78, was buried here with Caroline, who bore him 10 children.
To create the Wilhelmscholl park (Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe) around the castle of Leuvenburg, on the 92-meter mountain in Bavaria, Jussow visited the UK for a closer look at the English romantic ruins. The castle complex is one picturesque garden in the English tradition with palace ruins, false aqueducts of Rome, Greek temples, and an artificial Chinese village.
The Lion Castle and the park were badly destroyed during the Second World War. During the restoration work (the main tower is still being restored), the original appearance of the castle was lost. But this did not prevent the castle from losing its beauty and grace, which attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world.
One of the companies that makes children's films uses the image of the castle as its emblem. Many Walt Disney cartoons use the image of this particular castle.
Lviv Castle offers excursions and awaits guests daily in March - October from 10:00 to 17:00, in January - February from 10:00 to 16:00.
Admission for adults - 4 euros, for students - 2 euros, for pensioners - 3 euros, children under 18 years old - free.
Having traveled along the most favorite route of the guests of Germany "German Fairy Tale Road", passing through the old cities with their myths and legends, and, of course, through the castle of Leuvenburg, you get the opportunity to feel yourself in the Middle Ages with knightly tournaments, mighty men at arms, troubadours and beautiful ladies. 
This ancient castle is also called the lion's castle, or the lion's castle. Leuvenburg is located in German city Kassel and is the most interesting attraction of this city
The castle is located on a 92-meter mountain in Bavaria, in the Wilhelmscholl park. It was designed by order of William IX by the architect Heinrich Christoph, who has similar experience in France, England and Italy.
Among all the castles in Germany, it is unique in that it is conceived as a romantic medieval ruin. Such a wonderful project of Leuvenburg arose from the fantasies of Wilhelm IX. Nevertheless, experts regard the castle as very important historical monument, the first neo-gothic building in Germany.
Post quote Ancient castle Levenburg (Germany)
On the mountain of Bavaria (the town of Kassel) there is an ancient castle of Leuvenburg, which is also called the lion. The famous architect Heinrich Christoph worked on its design and carried out similar orders in England, Ireland and France.
Nevertheless, despite his rich experience, the architect had to visit England in order to better study the romantic ruins of English fortresses. Only after a detailed study, Heinrich Christoph began to draw up a plan for the construction of Leuvenburg.
Leuvenburg Castle, unlike other castles in Germany, does not have a rich history, but, nevertheless, it is among the most beautiful castles in the country. The Lion's Castle can be considered a fairly young structure, because four hundred years for such a structure is not a respectable age.
In Europe, such an object is in a single copy. The whole complex is a solid garden, made in the English style.
The idea of erecting such a castle belongs to William IX, who, being delighted with romanticism and the ruins of castles, dreamed of a construction that would be no different from English medieval palaces, so the castle turned out to be very similar to a real fortress, although it has nothing to do with it.
On all sides, as expected, the castle is surrounded by a huge moat, and the path to the castle runs through a drawbridge. The garden is overflowing with fake palace ruins, including fake Roman aqueducts and even temples in Greece.
No less attractive is the interior of the castle, which houses the original medieval furniture, bronze statues, stained glass windows and even weapons and armor from the 15th-16th centuries. Not far from the palace there is a chapel where the remains of the founder of the castle rest.
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Germany: Castle Leuvenburg
This ancient castle is also called the lion's castle, or the lion's castle. Leuvenburg is located in the German city of Kassel and is the most interesting attraction of this city.
Built around 1800, Löwenburg Castle has many medieval features such as a moat and a drawbridge. Inside, it is filled with authentic medieval furniture and rare and unique objects: there are altar slabs, medieval glass windows of churches and abbeys, weapons and armor, bronze statues, gambling tables, and many other things.
Levenburg is located in the middle of the chic Wilhelmsjön Park, and from the outside it looks like a medieval fortress, but inside it is adapted for a cozy family life.
The castle is deliberately built in such a way as if it took part in many battles and sieges. In fact, the effect of antiquity is artificial.
Most of the halls and parts of Leuvenburg are open to tourists. Next to the building there is a weapons room with weapons and armor from the 16th-17th centuries, as well as a chapel-tomb of the founder.
There is little information about this building, it does not have the same history as the more famous German castles, but it deserves a place in the list of the most beautiful castles in Germany.
