Schloss Neuschwanstein, Germany
Romantic Disney-Like Fairy Tale Castle of Bavarian King Ludwig II
Dec 20, 2007
Schloss Neuschwanstein is for many visitors a major reason for visiting Germany. This castle absolutely looks the part. Its Romanesque appearance screams Middle Ages, while its spectacular location on a lone rocky hill with the Tyrolean Alps as backdrop is unrivaled. Of course, it is all fake but who cares – Schloss Neuschwanstein is wildly romantic and absolutely beautiful.
Bavaria’s “Mad” King Ludwig II
Bavarian King Ludwig II spent many happy childhood summers in Schloss Hohenschwangau – his father’s neo-Gothic fantasy castle in Schwangau. Here, surrounded by images of a romantic medieval past, he probably started dreaming of his own castles and palaces that would surpass any of the numerous similar projects that were popular in Germany during the 19th century.
Ludwig II became king of Bavaria in 1864, aged 21. In 1866, Bavaria supported Austria in an unsuccessful war against Prussia and as a result, the Bavarian king lost much of his sovereign power. Joining the German Empire formed in 1871 formalized this loss of power and allowed Ludwig II to spend even more time on his fantasies – romantic castles were only part of it but the most expensive and most visual.
- Ludwig II is often referred to in the Anglo-Saxon world as “Mad” King Ludwig but the Germans prefer Märchenkönig (Fairy Tale King). He was actually very popular with his subjects – but not with the elite who where worried about his behavior and absence of a spouse and heir. Contrary to popular believe, he spent his own money, not that of Bavaria, on his projects.
Construction of Schloss Neuschwanstein
Construction of Schloss Neuschwanstein started in 1869 and although it would never be completed, it was partly inhabitable by 1873. King Ludwig wrote to his friend composer Richard Wagner that he was building a castle in the style of an old German “Ritterburg” (knights’ castle) and he largely succeeded.
Schloss Neuschwanstein is in the historicist style popular in much of Europe during the 19th century. It mixes previous styles and the castle has many Romanesque and Gothic features. The king was no trained architect and frequently changed his mind leaving many blind alleys and useless staircases for posterity to ponder.
The halls that were completed are grand and lavishly decorated. Around 20 rooms are seen on the compulsory guided tour. Scenes from Wagner’s operas – Ludwig was a great fan and sponsor – features in many rooms. The largest hall in the castle is the Sängersaal (Singers’ Hall) with scenes from Parzival (Parsifal). It is based on the larger hall in the Wartburg near Eisenach in Thuringia, central Germany, and is sometimes used for concerts.
- The name Schloss Neuschwanstein (literally, Castle New Swan Rock / Stone) only came into use after the death of the King in 1886. Ludwig II referred to it simply as the Neue Burg Hohenschwangau (New Castle).
Viewing Schloss Neuschwanstein
Schloss Neuschwanstein’s interior can only be seen on guided tours but the exterior can be enjoyed by all. The castle looks absolutely magnificent from all vantage points. Approaching Schloss Neuschwanstein from the flats of the wide Lech River valley, the castle perched on a low rocky hill looks every bit the Disney fairy tale castle with bulwarks and turrets while the Tyrolean Alps form a spectacular background.
However, the best views of Schloss Neuschwanstein are from the mountains. This view can easiest be enjoyed from the Marienbrücke – a small bridge that spans the narrow Pöllat River Gorge 45 m (148 ft) above a waterfall. It is about a ten-minute hike from the castle and absolutely worth the effort. The bridge was built in the 1850s by Ludwig’s father – King Maximilian II for his wife (and Ludwig’s mother), Princess Marie of Prussia. The nearby Jugend Panorama Point has excellent views of Schloss Hohenschwangau and Lake Alpsee.
- The hike that continues past the Marienbrücke is lovely but takes several hours!
More Information:
- Top Sighs in the Füssen & Schwangau Area
- Schloss Hohenschwangau Castle
- Tickets and Opening Hours for Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau Castles
- Transportation and Daytrips to Füssen & Schwangau
- Schlosskonzerte (Castle Concerts)
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