Neuschwanstein (Cinderella) Castle - The Fairytale Palace of Eccentric King

The Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most visited castles in Germany and one of the most popular tourist destination in the world. Neuschwanstein means "New Swan Stone". The name of the castle derives from one of Wagner's opera's character, the Swan Knight. 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”. The Castle was built in Richard Wagner honor and many rooms in the castle's interior were inspired by his's music. Neuschwanstein Castle was also inspiration to Walt Disney for Cinderella’s and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. 

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.

The suite of rooms within the Palas contains the Throne Room, Ludwig's suite, the Singers' Hall, and the Grotto. Throughout, the design pays homage to the German legends of Lohengrin, the Swan Knight. Hohenschwangau, where Ludwig spent much of his youth, had decorations of these sagas. These themes were taken up in the operas of Richard Wagner. 

Hall of the Singers

Many rooms bear a border depicting the various operas written by Wagner, including a theater permanently featuring the set of one such play. Many of the interior rooms remain undecorated, with only 14 rooms finished before Ludwig's death. With the palace under construction at the king's death, one of the major features of the palace remained unbuilt.

Bedroom

Throne Hall detail

Throne Hall

Study room

Dining room

Drawing room

Neuschwanstein Castle is definitely one of the most charming castles, and there are many interesting less known facts about it:

• Neuschwanstein means "New Swan Stone". The name of the castle derives from one of Wagner's opera's character, the Swan Knight.
• 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.
• Ludiwg slept only 11 nights in the castle
• Ludiwg was Richard Wagner's patron, and many rooms of the castle were inspired by Wagner's operas.

• There is no throne in the castle, as the Throne Hall was not completed before Ludwig's death.
• The Sleeping Beauty Castle’s design in Disneyland was inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle.
• Fourteen carpenters worked for more than four years to make the woodwork in the bedroom.