Neuschwanstein is Germany´s most popular and touristic sight that calls for a visit to all the tourist around the world. This majestic portray of royalty sits on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau, near Munich in Bavaria, Germany.
The castle was intended as a home for the King Ludwig II whose mysterious death, left his dream of staying in the castle of his taste incomplete. Within 8 weeks of the king´s death, the castle was made open to public visits.
Since then more than 60 million people have visited the castle, with 1.3 million visits annually and 6000 visits daily in summer.
Walt Disney was highly inspired by the Bavarian King´s dream castle. On his visit to Europe which included a stopover at this very castle gave Walt an inspirational visionary, which was clearly reflected in his– the Cinderella movie and The Sleeping Beauty movie castles.
The influence was so empowering that the Disney logo at the opening credits has a sheer resemblance of the Neuschwanstein castle and so then after the castle got famous by its nickname– Disney Castle.
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History
Prince to the King Maximilian II, Ludwig never had a stoic personality. According to her mother, Marie of Prussia, Ludwig was inclined towards stage acting, dramatics and enjoyed dressing up as different characters. Ludwig spent his entire childhood at the Hohenschwangau castle. After King Maximilian II´s sudden dead, Ludwig was thrust with power at an early age of 18, naive and unprepared for any political decisions and legal matters. Two years later, the King lost its powers to Prussia, in a humiliating defeat over Seven weeks´ war. It was then that the King decided to create a fantasy kingdom to project an alternate reality.
In a letter to Wagner, he described his plans to create a castle that is far more luxurious and beautiful than the Hohenschwangau castle. The visionary was then known as the new Hohenschwangau castle.
Later it was renamed to “Neuschwanstein” which literally means New Swan Stone.
The village of Hohenschwangau was overlooked by three ruined castles, amongst which the King Maximilian bought the Schwanstein castle and transformed it into a neo-gothic palace, now known as the Hohenschwangau castle.
The Vorderhohenschwangau and the Hinterhohenschwangau stood on a rocky promontory with lakes underneath was ruined by the 19th century.
And this turned out to be the Ludwig´s spot to build his dynasty.
Close to his childhood castle, with the scenery of the valley which is beyond beautiful, and the lakes Alpsee and Schwansee running at the foot made this it a fairy-tale castle setup.
The twin castles were demolished and the foundation stone for the new Hohenschwangau castle was laid in September, 1869.
Ludwig´s immoderate enthusiasm for opera of Richard Wagner was the major inspiration for the interiors and architectural designs. The king was a fan of extensiveness and elaborateness which also lead to his obsession of making the castle to minute details and calling it as its own creation.
The cuboids, semi-circular arches, the delicate embellishments, the Byzantine architecture; the Throne Hall, the exteriors all merge into an eccentric work of art in the 19th century.
King Ludwig wished to have 200 guests´ rooms, Singers´ Hall for musical nights and opera, knights´ bath for the ritual baths used by the Knights of the Holy Grail.
The castle was also planned to include modern interiors and technologies. But soon the project ran out of funds.
The King had dreamt of living in the castle within 3 years of foundation, but could do so only after 15 years, where he lived in a section of the castle.
The sudden and mysterious death of the King in 1886, din´t give him a chance to see the final castle whose work continued till 1892. But the castle was opened to public right after the death of the King.
Less Known Fact:
The height of the tallest tower of the Neuschwanstein castle is about 214 feet.
Inside the Castle:
Despite King Lugwig II´s grand plans to have 200 decorated rooms in the castle, but till date only a dozen rooms are finished and furnished to extiquisity, that are also open for visitors viewing. The visitors can access the cave-like grotto, the King´s bedroom, dressing room, Singers Hall etc. The dressing room holds magnificient ceiling paintings, illustrative murals inspired by the poets Walther and Hans Sachs. Apart from that, the Throne room inside the castle is a sheer obessesion of King Ludwig´s royal personality, where he would be treated as a king and could hold all commands. The Throne room has a high ceiling with Byzantine church interiors and is completed with mosaic floorwork and a 13-foot tall chandelier.
Exterior of the Castle:
The beauty of castle can be praised from the Marienbrüke, the bridge that hangs over a waterfall and offers the most iconic views of the castle to capture!
Less Known Fact:
Maximilian II had already set the paths and lookout points in the area around Hohenschwangrau, to enjoy the natural beauty and scenery. In 1840, the King Maximilian presented his mountaineer wife Marie, a bridge above the Pöllat Gorge as a Birthday gift. Hence, the bridge is known as the Marienbrücke, which today is the best viewing platform to capture the majestic castle– Neuschwanstein.
Planning a trip to the Neuschwanstein castle?
Ludwig II, King of Bavaria since 1864, addressed the following lines to the man he so greatly admired, Richard Wagner, where he shared his views about the castle he wished to create.
Ideal design for Neuschwanstein Castle by Christian Jank, 1869
It is my intention to rebuild the old castle ruin of Hohenschwangau near the Pöllat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights’ castles, and I must confess to you that I am looking forward very much to living there one day (in 3 years); there will be several cosy, habitable guest rooms with a splendid view of the noble Säuling, the mountains of Tyrol and far across the plain; you know the revered guest I would like to accommodate there; the location is one of the most beautiful to be found, holy and unapproachable, a worthy temple for the divine friend who has brought salvation and true blessing to the world. It will also remind you of “Tannhäuser” (Singers’ Hall with a view of the castle in the background), “Lohengrin'” (castle courtyard, open corridor, path to the chapel); this castle will be in every way more beautiful and habitable than Hohenschwangau further down, which is desecrated every year by the prose of my mother; they will take revenge, the desecrated gods, and come to live with Us on the lofty heights, breathing the air of heaven
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Author: Kinnari
Welcome! I am Kinnari, a 20 something Engineer from Pune, India. Presently residing in Germany, which got me an opportunity to explore the world around me! Staying far from my family also got me a chance to step into the kitchen and put my apron on! Altogether a big opportunity to share my experiences with you!
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