RIBBECK.

RIBBECK, Germany (AFP) ??” Want to corrupt a castle? Head for the former East Germany.

The financial broken hearts of the region that one time formed part of the Soviet bloc mean that family of relatively modest means can aspire to become castle-owners, with many edifices now costing little more than the land they stand forward

In the village of Ribbeck, 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Berlin, single in kind castle has been put forward the market for just 104000 euro (126500 dollars). Dozens of other chateaux are forward offer for similar prices.

Ribbeck (population 400) is known over most of Germany thanks to the author of poems Theodor Fontane, whose 1889 story about the kindly Squire von Ribbeck who gives pears to children is taught in exercises

The pear tree still stands here, although it was moved closer to the temple recently. Von Ribbecks are still around too. The family fl to the