Neuschwanstein Castle - GERMANY

The Neuschwanstein Castle is one most visited castles in Germany and one of the most popular tourist destination in Europe.

The castle is located in Bavaria, near the town of Fussen. It was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as the “Fairytale King”.

King Ludwig was a great admirer and supporter ofRichard Wagner, the world - renowned composer.Neuschwanstein Castle was built in his honor and many rooms in the castle's interior were inspired by Wagner's characters. The third floor particularly reflects Ludwig's admiration of Wagner's operas. The Singers Hall, which occupies the entire fourth floor of Neuschwanstein also contains characters from Wagner's operas.

Neuschwanstein literally means “New Swan Castle” referencing of “the Swan Knight” one of the Wagner’s characters.

The Neuschwanstein Castle really looks like a fairytale castle. Neuschwanstein is a castle of the paradox. It was built in the 19th century in Bavaria, in a time when castles no longer had strategical and defensive purposes. While Neuschwanstein's look is that of a medieval castle, it was equiped inside with state of the art technology at that time. For example on every floor of the castle there were toilets with automatic flushing system, as well as an air heating system for the whole castle. Water was supplied by a nearby spring situated at only 200 meters above the castle.

Neuschwanstein's positioning is also a fairytale one. It is located in the Alps in Bavaria, Germany, in a magnificent landscape, on the top of a hill. Neuschwanstein overlooks the Hohenschwangau valley. If you come to visit this castle, you will be amazed by the extremely beautiful landscape that surrounds it. Also, Neuschwanstein lies very close to the town of Fussen, which is also a popular tourist destination in Germany.

The construction of the Neuschwanstein castle began in 1869, and originally it was projected to last three year. But Ludwig II wanted the castle to be perfect, so the immense building was not finished even at Ludwig's death in 1886.

Neuschwanstein castle has a very beautiful inner garden surrounded by a walled courtyard. It even has an artificial cave. Neuschwanstein's interior is as beautiful as its outside. Though only 14 rooms were finished before Ludiwg II's sudden death in 1886, these rooms were majestically decorated. The two story throne room was designed in Byzantine style, with wall paintings depicting angels. Ironically, there is no throne in the Throne Room, as Ludwig died before it was completely finished.

This fairytale look of the Neuschwanstein castle inspired Walt Disney to create the Magic Kingdom. Today, Neuschwanstein is the most visited castle in Germany, and one of the most popular tourist destination in the world. Every year over 1.300.000 people crosses its gate.

Interesting facts

Neuschwanstein is a castle of paradox. It was a very controversial building at its time, and there are many interesting facts about it. Here we will list some of these facts about Neuschwanstein.

1. Neuschwanstein means "New Swan Stone". The name of the castle derives from one of Wagner's opera's character, theSwan Knight.
2. The Neuschwanstein Castle was built for only one person – the King Ludwig II. Neuschwanstein is so immense though, that in some days it is visited by up to 6000 tourists.
3. Ludiwg slept only 11 nights in the castle
4. Ludiwg was Richard Wagner's patron, and many rooms of the castle were inspired by Wagner's operas. Despite of this, Wagner never visited the castle, as he died before its completion.
5. The castle is one of the most photographed buildings in the world, even if photography is not permitted inside of the castle.
6. There is no throne in the castle, as the Throne Hall was not completed before Ludwig's death.
7. The Sleeping Beauty Castle’s design in Disneyland was inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle.
8. Fourteen carpenters worked for more than four years to make the woodwork in the bedroom.
9. Despite its medieval look, it was built in the 19th century, and it served no defensive purposes.
10. The original name of the castle was New Hohenschwangau Castle. It was renamed as Neuschwanstein castle just after Ludwig II's death
11. The designer of the castle was Christian Jank. He was not even an architect but a theatrical designer.
12. In 2012, the Neuschwanstein Castle will appear on a €2 commemorative coin.