An idealized vision of a knight’s castle on the outside and a homage to Wagner’s operas on the inside, Neuschwanstein was Ludwig II’s most ambitious project. During the same period, he commissioned Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee, two castles in the French style. More than 50 million visitors have admired these fairy-tale castles since they were built by the shy and world-weary king. At Neuschwanstein, in particular, there seems to be no low season. A daytrip from Munich toward Füssen in the Schwangau is an unforgettable experience.
Two alternatives to reaching the castle on foot are a bus service, or, for a romantic experience, a horse-drawn carriage. To the left of Pöllat Gorge stood the ruins of two small castles. Ludwig II had Neuschwanstein built on the site of these ruins.
Top 10 Features
1. The Building
The foundation stone was laid in 1869, the gatehouse was completed in 1873, and the castle in 1884. Work continued, with the king constantly altering the plans, until his death in 1886. The keep and Ritterbad (knight’s bath) were never completed.
2. Throne Hall
Gold, saints, and a touch of Byzantium: the throne hall is modelled in part after Munich’s All Saints Church and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Originally, the throne was to stand – like an altar – in the apse.
3. Bedroom
In contrast to the romanticism of the living quarters, the bedroom was designed in a Gothic style complete with elaborately carved oak panelling. Scenes from Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde decorate the walls.
4. Chapel
Altar and murals depict Ludwig IX, the beatified king of France and namesake of the fairy-tale king of Bavaria.
5. Study
Ludwig’s study is filled with pictures from Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser . On his desk is a fanciful pen-and-ink set in the shape of Lohengrin .
6. Minstrel’s Room
Influenced by the ceremonial hall of the Wart-burg in Eisenach, this is the castle’s largest room. The walls are decorated with scenes from the legend of Parzival and his quest for the Holy Grail.
7. Grotto
Going between the living room and study, visitors pass through a grotto, where a small waterfall flowed during the king’s lifetime. The larger Venus grotto, complete with an artificial lake, is located in the park of Linderhof Castle.
8. Dining Room
Dishes were transported in an elevator from the kitchen three stories below to the dining room, where the shy king took most of his meals on his own. Murals depict the tradition of the minstrel’s song.
9. Winter Garden
Adjoining the grotto, the winter garden affords a spectacular view of Allgäu through a large window.
10. Hohenschwangau
Ludwig spent part of his childhood and youth in this summer palace, which is located in wildly romantic scenery. His father, Maximilian II, restored the palace fully in 1832. Hohenschwangau’s coat of arms bears a swan – later often depi
