A large planned chapel and keep inside the courtyard were never even begun. The king himself spent only eleven nights in the castle, although he was here when a commission arrived to remove him from his role as king. They were intended to be used in a museum of artwork that Hitler planned to open after the war. The castle was deemed an ideal location for hiding the art, since it was far from the frequently-bombed capital of Berlin, and near the Austrian border.
Once Paris had been liberated, soldiers recovered the artworks, including a Rodin sculpture that was discovered in the nearby woods. You can learn more about this fascinating historical story in the film Monuments Men. You know that an attraction is popular when it makes top 10 lists. And Neuschwanstein was recently voted the 3 attraction for the entire country of Germany for For many, a trip to Germany is inspired by a desire to see this famous castle.
Its gorgeous setting is a draw to tourists who love natural beauty, while its architecture and history bring in others. Guest Blogger. I visited the Neuschwanstein castle in They were not allowed to associate with other children and any contact with their parents was reduced to a minimum. The royal brothers spent much of their childhood away from the capital of Munich at Hohenschwangau Castle. Separated from their parents, brought up by down-to-earth civil servants who kept to the rules and who were mainly intent on making the Crown Princes familiar with the realities of the world, Ludwig lived here, however, in an environment remote from the great affairs of state.
A fantastic natural landscape and a castle-like palace, filled with romantic murals depicting German fairy tales, sagas and the omnipresent swan images, were a formative influence on Ludwig, who was of an imaginative and sentimental disposition.
Secretly the youthful prince began to occupy himself at night with what interested him most: theater, opera librettos and literature. On February , the year-old prince was deeply moved by his first performance of an opera. Still very young — 18 years old — the crown prince ascended the Bavarian throne on March 10, after his father, King Maximilian II, had died unexpectedly only 53 years old. He could be sure of the support of his subjects: Ludwig, young and attractive, was regarded as the most handsome king and the most popular one with the women of the day.
A very close and personal relationship grew up between the King and his cousin, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, called Sissi. Ludwig was a romantic idealist, a devoted patron of composer Richard Wagner and hired theatrical set designers rather than architects to build his fairytale castles.
Unfortunately, he spent most of his time absorbed in his own fantasy world at the expense of affairs of state. When his castle building caused the virtual bankruptcy of the Bavarian state, his ministers accused him of insanity, deposed him on grounds of mental illness and had him committed to the custody of Lake Starnberg castle.
He disappeared while out for a walk with his physician Dr. Gudden and his corpse was discovered a few hours later. The death was officially declared to be suicide by drowning, but the circumstances of his death remain open to question. Ludwig was a strong swimmer, the water was less than waist-deep where his body was found and there was no water found in his lungs at the autopsy. Travelers visiting in May or June will enjoy similar benefits during their shoulder-season tour of Neuschwanstein.
Balmy weather, school holidays, and longer hours make Neuschwanstein Castle a particularly popular attraction in the summer. But visitors during peak months July and August should be prepared for long lines and considerable crowds. Despite Ludwig's grand plans, only 14 rooms are currently finished — and on view for visitors. On the guided tour of Neuschwanstein Castle's interior, you'll have access to the cave-like grotto, the king's bedroom, and the Singer's Hall, among others. Highlights of the Dressing Room include the magnificent ceiling painting and murals illustrating the works of poets Walther von der Vogelwide and Hans Sachs.
The entire room is finished in rich gold and violet silks. Few rooms in Neuschwanstein capture Ludwig's obsession with being king quite as well as the Throne Room. The two-story space captures the majesty of Byzantine churches, and it is finished with a foot-tall chandelier, a painted cupola, and elaborate floor mosaics. Ironically, there was never a throne in this space.
After your tour, be sure to spend some time exploring the wooden trails around the castle, which provide countless opportunities to admire the surrounding Bavarian Alps. While tour groups arranged by the Bavarian Palace Department are the only way to see inside Neuschwanstein, many tour companies do arrange day trips to the castle from Munich and other surrounding areas.
Travelers interested in joining a tour company should look for an itinerary that includes stops at nearby Linderhof Castle, Hohenschwangau, and others. Travelers wondering how to get to Neuschwanstein from Munich — without joining a tour group — will find there are many options available for making the journey, including public trains and buses. Parking for Neuschwanstein is all located at the village of Hohenschwangau. Trains and intercity buses are also available for travelers seeking transportation from Garmsich or from Innsbruck to Neuschwanstein.
All travelers visiting Neuschwanstein will first arrive in Hohenschwangau, which is the location of the Ticketcenter, parking lots, Museum of the Bavarian Kings, and other attractions for tourists.
From Hohenschwangau, visitors can reach Neuschwanstein by foot, by shuttle bus, or by horse-drawn carriage. Walking to Neuschwanstein takes 30 to 40 minutes, and travelers should note it's a fairly steep, uphill climb.
Buses cannot be driven directly to the castle, and visitors should expect to walk an additional 10 to 15 minutes afterward. In severe weather, the shuttle buses do not run, and travelers must either reach Neuschwanstein by foot or by carriage. Taking a horse-drawn carriage to Neuschwanstein will likely complete your fairy tale experience to the castle.
Like the shuttles, carriages cannot go directly to the castle, and travelers must be prepared to walk an additional 5 to 10 minutes before reaching the entrance. Tickets for visitors under 18 are free, and there are also reduced entry prices for senior citizens, students, and large groups. Tickets must be purchased at the Ticketcenter in Hohenschwangau, though they can be reserved online — this is particularly helpful during peak season and holidays, when they can very easily sell out.
Travelers can only get inside Neuschwanstein Castle on a guided tour, which is included in the price of admission. Tours are given in either English or German, though travelers can also take advantage of an audio tour, which is available in 17 additional languages.
Tours last approximately 30 minutes, and include stops in the two-story throne room and the Tristan and Isolde-inspired bedroom, with a carved oak bed draped in blue silks.
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