Neuschwanstein
History
Compared to other castles, Schloss Neuschwanstein is still in its infancy, as it was built in the late 19th century. Its construction began on September 5th, 1869, by King Ludwig II, who spent his childhood at Schloss Hohenschwangau, just a few hundred yards away from Neuschwanstein.
Before his reign, Ludwig spent his days dreaming of medieval knights and exploring the surrounding Alps. After his father, King Maximilian, died suddenly, an 18-year-old Ludwig became king of Bavaria. While Ludwig and Bavarian politicians disagreed, he followed his heart and decided to build a castle rather than be concerned with political matters. It would be no ordinary castle but a palace in the sky. He constructed it on the ruins of Vorderhohenschwangau and Hinterhohenschwangau above Schloss Hohenschwangau.
Schloss Neuschwanstein from the Marienbrücke.
Ludwig decided to build a castle resembling the old German knight castles, which evolved into the Romanesque style during the planning stages. The king's passion for epic German sagas was influential in its design. To realize these visions, Ludwig enlisted Christian Jank, a Munich court theater scenic designer with no formal architectural training, whose expertise in operatic sets shaped the castle's dramatic silhouette, including soaring towers and cavernous halls. Jank's sketches, completed by 1869, emphasized romantic verticality and theatrical pomp. The architect Eduard Riedel began the building, and Georg von Dollmann took over in 1874, followed by Julius Hofmann in 1884. Consequently, the interior depicts various scenes from the great operas written by Richard Wagner, based on the Tannhauser and Lohengrin legends. A keep about 90 meters high, over a chapel, was planned for the upper courtyard, but it was never built, and only its foundation outline is visible today. Only 14 rooms of the castle were completely finished.
While construction was underway at Neuschwanstein, King Ludwig was also building Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee castles with plans for a fourth structure. The king's relatives decided that too much of the royal fortune was being squandered by the dreamer on his fairy-tale castles, so they declared him insane. On June 9th, 1886, a report by the psychiatrist Dr. Bernhard von Gudden and others, prepared without examining the king, certified him unfit to govern. His uncle, Prince Luitpold, became regent the next day, and the first commission sent to take Ludwig into custody was turned away at Neuschwanstein. A second commission arrested him there in the early hours of June 12th, and he was taken to Berg Palace on Lake Starnberg. His body was discovered the next day in the lake with Dr. von Gudden. The king's death remains a mystery to this day. Some say he was murdered, while others say it was suicide.
The mural of Saint George slaying the dragon.
The king never intended to make the castle accessible to others; however, seven weeks after Ludwig's mysterious death, in August 1886, the Bavarian state opened Schloss Neuschwanstein to the public to help offset the construction debts. Today, Neuschwanstein is one of the most famous castles to visit in Europe. Approximately 1.3 million people visit the castle of the fairy-tale King every year. In 2025, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list together with other palaces of King Ludwig II.
Due to its remote location, Schloss Neuschwanstein avoided any damage or destruction during World War I and II. It was used as a Nazi depot until 1944 for storing stolen art from France during World War II. The Schutzstaffel (SS) considered blowing up the castle and the artwork stored within in April 1945 to keep the castle and plunder from falling into enemy hands, but those plans went unfollowed. The castle peacefully surrendered undamaged to allied forces at the war's end.
Castle Highlights
Schloss Neuschwanstein is one of the must-see castles in the world. I visited the castle seven times and was amazed each time. Due to its location high atop a hill, it is a long uphill climb to the castle with numerous steps to navigate once inside. However, it is well worth the effort. There is a horse-drawn carriage from the village to a location near the top of the hill for a small fee.
The courtyard staircase.
A guided tour of the castle interior is highly recommended and the only way to see the inside of the castle. Purchasing tickets online or in the town before embarking on the uphill climb to the castle is also necessary. The finished rooms inside the castle exhibit exquisite detail in the wood carvings and wall paintings. However, three rooms, in particular, stand out from the rest.
The Throne Hall includes a massive chandelier in the shape of a royal crown, in addition to depictions regarding the legend of Parzival (Parsifal) on various walls. There are also images of six European rulers and Christ above the kings over the throne area. The only item to be added to this room is the throne itself. The king's bedroom is the only portion of the castle designed in Gothic style. The wood carvings on the bed and canopy are amazing. There is also a secret door, which blends seamlessly into the wall to Ludwig's bathroom. The last room on tour, the Singer's Hall, resides at the top of the castle. It was designed so Ludwig could have private showings of his favorite operas and plays. The hall was modeled after the banquet hall in the Wartburg.
Proper planning makes it possible to visit Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau on the same day. I recommend booking ahead online and booking a morning tour of Hohenschwangau and an afternoon tour of Neuschwanstein 3-4 hours later, leaving time for lunch in between.
