Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is the most famous 19th century neo-romantic castle in the world. Located in Germany, near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, the castle was built by Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner, the King’s inspiring muse. It is the most photographed building in Germany, although photography of the interior is not permitted, and is one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations.
Neuschwanstein Castle is Mad King Ludwig’s magnificent and most famous castle. The Neuschwanstein Castle was built for the Bavarian King Ludwig II as a comfortable home above the Alpsee lake and with the Alps towering all around Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. Construction went on between 1869 and 1886, but only about a third of the building was actually completed. The castle comprises a gatehouse, a Bower, the Knight’s House with a square tower, and a Palas, or citadel, with two towers to the Western end. The effect of the whole is highly theatrical, both externally and within. The king’s influence is apparent throughout and he took a keen personal interest in the design and decoration. An example can be seen in his comments, or commands, regarding a mural depicting Lohengrin in the Palas; “His Majesty wishes that .. the ship be placed further from the shore, that Lohengrin’s neck be less tilted, that the chain from the ship to the swan be of gold and not of roses, and finally that the style of the castle shall be kept medieval.”
The suite of rooms within the Palas is intoxicating and overwhelming; the Throne Room followed by Ludwig’s suite, followed by the Singers’ Hall and by the Grotto. Throughout, the design pays homage to the operas of Richard Wagner, a reflection of Ludwig’s love for Wagner’s work, and perhaps for Wagner himself. However, many of the interior rooms remain undecorated; only 14 rooms were finished before Ludwig’s death.
Neucheswanstein was unfinished when, in 1886, the King was declared insane by a State Commission and arrested at the castle. Taken to Berg Palace, he was found drowned in Lake Starnberg, along with the psychiatrist who certified him, on 13 June 1886. The exact circumstances of his death remain unexplained.
Europe has many historic castles. You can find castles just almost anywhere in Europe and there are many types of castles. Some castles are the center of tourist attractions in a city, while other are located high in the mountains or off in the fields — many of which have been standing, in one form or another, for more than a thousand years.
Throne-Room
The Entrance Hall
Study Room
Singer’s Hall
Living Room
Dressing Room
Dining Room
Chapel
Bedroom
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| View of the castle | Ideal design | Construction | Upper Courtyard | |||
|
|
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Ludwig II | Ludwig II | Ludwig II | Ludwig II | |||
|
|
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Servant’s Room | Lower Hall | Throne Room | Throne Room | |||
|
|
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Dining Room | Bedroom | Washing utensils | Oratory | |||
|
|
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Dressing Room | Salon | Grotto | Conservatory | |||
|
|
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Study | Singers’ Hall | Upper Hall | Kitchen | |||
|
|
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Richard Wagner | Siegfried | Sleigh ride | St Georg | |||
