Neuschwanstein is a castle in southern Bavaria, in Germany, commissioned by Ludwig II, also known as Mad King Ludwig.

It opened to the public after Ludwig’s death in 1886 but was not completed until 1892. The design of the castle was inspired by the operas of German composer Richard Wagner, whom King Ludwig greatly admired. The legend of Lohengrin, the Swan Knight, was especially influential and gave the castle its name. The beautiful fairy-tale look of the place inspired Walt Disney to copy it for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland.

Many of the rooms are based on the heroes of ancient German sagas, which also inspired Wagner’s operas. The Winter Garden and Stalactite Grotto, both with waterfalls, pay homage to the opera Tannhäuser; the Great Chamber and the Byzantine Throne Room acknowledge Lohengrin; the Singer’s Hall and paintings in the gallery celebrate the opera Parsifal.

Though the décor and look of Neuschwanstein are medieval, its amenities were surprisingly modern and included running hot and cold water, flush toilets, electricity, a hot air heating system, and elevators to bring food up from the modern kitchen. Historians say that King Ludwig built the castle as a place where he could hide away from the world.

King Ludwig was declared “paranoid” and unfit to rule by a psychiatrist named Bernhard von Gudden.He was deposed and his uncle took over the throne. Not long afterward, Ludwig and Dr. von Gudden were found drowned in a lake south of Munich. Some mystery surrounds this death, but the official explanation is that Ludwig committed suicide by drowning, and Dr. von Gudden drowned in an attempt to save the former king.

Neuschwanstein, nestled in the Bavarian Alps, is the most famous German castle and part of our list Top Ten Sights and Attractions in Germany.

But compared to other castles in the country, Neuschwanstein is neither old, nor was it ever built for defense. Ludwig II of Bavaria constructed this fairy tale castle in 1869, with the help of a stage designer, for pure pleasure; he built it as a fantastic summer retreat.

Ludwig, who was allegedly mad, never enjoyed his dream castle – before Neuschwanstein was completely finished, he drowned in a lake nearby.

Neuschwanstein – Interesting Historic Facts :

*Ludwig II admired Richard Wagner, and Neuschwanstein is a homage to the German composer. Many scenes of Wagner’s operas are depicted in the interior of the castle. In fact, Neuschwanstein shares the same name as the castle in Wagner’s opera Lohengrin.

*Despite the castle’s medieval appearance, Ludwig built in modern technologies of the day, such as flush toilets, running hot and cold water, and heating.

*Until today, the exact circumstances of Ludwig’s death remain unexplained; some say he committed suicide, others believe he was murdered.

*Neuschwanstein was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland.

Neuschwanstein – Address:

*Address: Alpseestrasse 12, 87645 Hohenschwangau, 73 miles southwest of Munich

*Phone: 08362 – 930 830

Neuschwanstein – Getting There:

By Car:

*Take the Autobahn (motorway) A7 into the direction of Ulm-Füssen-Kempten; when the Autobahn ends, just follow the signs to Füssen. From Füssen, drive the B17 into the direction of Schwangau, and then continue to Hohenschwangau.

By Train:

*Take the train to Füssen, then hop on the bus Nr. RVA/OVG 78 into the direction of Schwangau; get off at the stop Hohenschwangau/ Alpseestraße.

Neuschwanstein – Opening Hours:

*April-September: 09:00a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
*October-March: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Good to Know:

*You can take a horse-drawn carriage up the hill to the castle (€5)

*No photographing or filming is allowed inside the castle – for best panoramic pictures, take the walk up to Mary’s bridge, which crosses a spectacular waterfall and gives you a breathtaking view of Neuschwanstein and the plains beyond

*Neuschwanstein is very crowded in summer (6,000 visitors a day); the best time to visit is spring or fall

*Combine Neuschwanstein with a visit of the Castle Hohenschwangau, where Ludwig spent most of his life; it’s lesser known, but no less spectacular

*Neuschwanstein is the highlight of the scenic drive Romantic Road