Castle Neuschwanstein

Neuschwanstein, Germany’s most famous castle, thrones majestically on a craggy cliff, with the picturesque chain of the Allgäu Alps behind. Building of King Ludwig II’s spooky fairy-tail castle commenced in 1868. The architecture is based on concepts of stage designer Christian Jank, as the King wanted scenes of Wagner’s operas reproduced in reality. However, the only reality which resulted from this project was the King’s ruin: building of the castle cost him 6 million Gold marks and, finally, his arrest and deposition in 1886. The castle was still unfinished when Ludwig died, many rooms have never been completed. Today, Neuschwanstein is one of the most frequently visited castles in Europe. It was not only the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty’s castle but also for Tchaikowsky’s Swan Lake.