A breathtaking series of aerial photographs has documented the German city of Weinheim transformed into a pristine winter wonderland following recent snowfall. The images, captured by photographer David Schramm on January 7, 2026, showcase the community's iconic landmarks and residential neighborhoods blanketed in white from a rare bird's-eye perspective. The photo collection, which has been published as an extensive online gallery, highlights Weinheim's distinctive topography and architectural heritage, particularly the two hilltop castles that have earned the city its nickname 'Zweiburgenstadt' or 'City of Two Castles.'
Weinheim, located in the state of Baden-Württemberg along the scenic Bergstraße route between Heidelberg and Darmstadt, rarely receives substantial snowfall that lingers long enough for such comprehensive documentation. The aerial vantage point reveals how the snow creates a uniform canvas across the city's varied landscape, from the dense historic center to the sprawling residential districts and forested hillsides. The photographs particularly emphasize the dramatic setting of the two castles—Wachenburg and Windeck—that dominate the city's skyline from opposing hills, structures that have defined Weinheim's identity for centuries and appear especially striking when outlined against the white terrain.
The technical execution of this photographic project required careful planning and favorable weather conditions. Aerial photography in winter presents unique challenges, including reduced daylight hours, potential equipment malfunction in cold temperatures, and the need for precise timing to capture the snow before it becomes marked by footprints or vehicle traffic. Schramm's images successfully overcome these obstacles, delivering crisp, high-resolution views that allow viewers to appreciate both the grand scale of the snow-covered landscape and intricate details like individual rooftops, tree branches heavy with snow, and the castles' architectural features standing in sharp relief against the winter backdrop.
Wachenburg Castle, constructed in the early 20th century as a patriotic monument and youth hostel, sits prominently on the Wachenberg hill and appears in several photographs as a commanding presence overlooking the dormant city. In contrast, Windeck Castle, a medieval ruin dating back to the 12th century, offers a more weathered silhouette on the opposing hilltop. The aerial perspective uniquely captures the spatial relationship between these two historic structures and the city they have protected and defined for generations. Snow emphasizes the castles' stonework and creates stark contrasts between the dark architectural elements and the surrounding white landscape, making their forms even more visually compelling than during other seasons.
These winter impressions serve multiple purposes beyond their immediate aesthetic appeal. For residents of Weinheim and the broader Bergstraße region, the photographs provide a memorable documentation of a relatively uncommon weather event, preserving a moment when their familiar surroundings were temporarily transformed. Tourism officials and local historians also value such imagery for promotional materials and archival purposes, as snow-covered scenes of this quality are infrequent in the relatively mild climate of southwestern Germany. The images collectively tell a story of a city paused under winter's spell, with landmarks like the market square, church spires, and castle ruins unified beneath a crystalline blanket.
The photo series has been made available through a digital gallery format that encourages viewers to explore each image at their own pace, appreciating different aspects of the winter scenery with each click. This publication follows other recent visual documentation projects by the same media organization, including historical newspaper archives spanning from 1863 to the present, coverage of local cultural events like the Johannismarkt parade in Fürth, and even broader scientific imagery such as photographs of solar eclipses captured from the lunar surface. Such comprehensive visual storytelling underscores the enduring importance of documenting local landscapes and community life through changing seasons and generations, ensuring that remarkable moments like Weinheim's snowy transformation are preserved for future appreciation.
