We've all seen the famous Disney castle but did you know it's actually based on a real-life castle? Here's some information on its inspiration Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.
The fairytale-like Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century castle located in the German state of Bavaria, near the town of Füssen and the village of Hohenschwangau in the hills of the green region Allgäu. Commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the castle was designed as a retreat and a homage to the composer Richard Wagner. It is considered one of the most famous and recognizable castles in the world and attracts millions of visitors every year.
The construction of the idyllic castle was started in 1869 on behalf of the shy and eccentric King Ludwig II, who had this castle built to escape public life. The walls were made of brick with light-coloured limestone as decoration. After his passing in 1886, the construction was paused and the fairytale castle was opened to the public. Walt Disney visited this castle and used it as inspiration for the castle of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty in Disneyland.
King Ludwig II designed the castle to be his personal sanctuary for relaxation, rather than a representation of royalty. To create his own imaginative world, he drew inspiration from Wagner's operas, which centred around themes of love, guilt, repentance, and redemption in the Middle Ages. The three main characters, poet Tannhäuser, the swan knight Lohengrin, and Grail King Parsifal, were frequently depicted, as well as the swan (Schwan), a symbol of purity and the tombs of Schwangau. The castle's interior and exterior are equally impressive and will leave you pleasantly surprised.
Neuschwanstein Castle has more than 200 rooms, of which only 15 are fully finished. On the lower floors, for example, were the service areas for the staff. During your tour, you will mainly visit the third and fourth floors with the King's most important quarters. The second floor was never finished and now contains a shop, cafeteria and multimedia area. You will probably experience one of the nicest views you have ever seen in a castle.
When you are visiting Bavaria, a tour of this beautiful fairytale castle can't be missed. Even the interior of the castle is enchantingly beautiful. Visitors to Neuschwanstein Castle can tour the interior of the castle, including the king's chambers, the throne room, and the conservatory. The castle is also surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including nearby Hohenschwangau Castle and the Alpsee lake.
Keep in mind that 10,000 visitors want to visit the castle every day in the high season; unfortunately, this results in huge waiting times (2 to 3 hours) and in May to October, tickets often sell out before lunchtime. For a more relaxed visit I strongly recommend booking your tour
online! I wasn't lucky enough to go into the castle when I was in Germany, simply because of that extremely long line! The castle is open daily, except December 24th, 25th, 31st and New Year's Day. Entry is as little as 15 EURO.
Today, Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany, with thousands of visitors from around the world visiting every day. Despite its popularity, the castle remains a symbol of Bavarian cultural heritage and a testament to the romantic ideals of its builder. Neuschwanstein Castle is an architectural masterpiece that showcases the romantic ideals and extravagant tastes of King Ludwig II. It remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany and a testament to the enduring appeal of fairy-tale castles.
