Neuschwanstein Castle is one of Germany’s most famous sights. Wonderfully situated in the Allgäu region, the fairy tale castle was built until 1886 by King Ludwig II, however it never has been completed. It stands highly on deeply fissured rocks. Regarded as one of the most important constructions of historicism it is quite unique.

King Ludwig who drowned under still unknown circumstances in Lake Starnberg was known to have been avoiding public and his dream was to live there far away from everybody. Inspired by Richard Wagner‘s opera Tannhäuser and Lohengrin, Ludwig II longed for a castle that resembles old German knight's castles. The interior of the castle is held in late romanticism style. The probably most impressive room is a small grotto which stage designer August Dirigl created after the Hörselberg in the Tannhäuser legend. It resembles an artificial stalactite cavern that can be illuminated in different colours and originally even had a waterfall.

1.4 million people come to see it each year. Equipped with valuable pieces of furniture and textiles it reflects the incomparable life and longings of past rulers. The castle can only be visited on a guided tour that takes half an hour. German and English speaking visitors are led by trained staff whilst other foreign language speaking visitors are equipped with an audio guide that is available in many languages, from Arabic to Thai language. Guided tours can be booked at most 2 days in advance.

Neuschwanstein is situated close to the municipality Schwangau and the town Füssen in the Allgäu. Last place for parking and starting point for the way up to the castle is the village Hohenschwangau. From there you can go either on foot (approx. 30 minutes and not suitable for the disabled) or by horse carriage which leaves at the Müller Hotel, that is found in Alpensee street in Hohenschwangau. Alternatively there is a bus that goes from the “Lisl castle” hotel to the castle. However, there are still some 600 metres to master from the bus station until the castle – and this part is only possible to walk for people who are good on foot.

More information: http://www.neuschwanstein.com/englisch/tourist/index.htm

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