Travelers desire to see this prominent site for various reasons but many simply want to visit it because it’s one of the must-see castles in all of Europe. But why exactly is Neuschwanstein Castle so famous?
Disney’s Inspiration
In every Disney film intro, you will find the notable image that sparked a lot of childhood dreams the world over – the Cinderella Castle. It is accompanied by the musical arrangement of “When You Wish Upon a Star”. As a little girl, witnessing that combo always reminded me that something magical was about to happen. That same reminder hit me the moment I saw the Neuschwanstein Castle for the first time.
Schloss Neuschwanstein as it is called in German looks like an illustration from a fantasy book. Walt Disney himself was remarkably fascinated by this fairy-tale-like structure. It became his inspiration for Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty castles and the Disney logo. That’s no wonder because the place can easily bring out the child in you. As soon as you see the stunning architecture standing proud at the foothills of the Bavarian hills, you’ll be thrilled. My first Disneyland experience easily pales in comparison!
Magical Location
I was giddy with excitement on the drive going to the castle. My jaw dropped as soon as I saw the striking contrast of the green landscape and the towering castle from a distance. My husband had to pull the car over several times so I could take photos on the side of the road. I already had nearly a hundred pictures and we had yet to reach our destination!
While it usually welcomes over a million visitors from all over the world every year, most of the guests on our visit were locals. With the pandemic going on but lockdown measures lifted in Germany, the locals were rediscovering their very own treasures. As social distancing rules were in place, there was a long queue to get inside the castle and an even longer one going to the bridge where you can have a panoramic view of Neuschwanstein.
King Ludwig II
If you know the story of the legendary king, you might get sentimental. I felt like I was transported back in his time once inside Neuschwanstein. Walking through the halls of the castle, I could not stop thinking about the man for whom the majestic place was built. I felt sad for the man who was dubbed the Swan King, the Fairy Tale King, and even the Mad King.
Interestingly, what stood out for me among the opulent areas in the palace was a mere window. It was the perfect place to delight in the vast beauty of nature outside. For a moment I imagined that it was to witness the same glorious scenery that made the King decide to have his mansion built there. I supposed he could not be as insane as history depicted him to be. I wondered if he also stood at the same spot and realized that nothing, not even his astounding 65,000 sq ft Romanesque residence can beat God’s creation.
I could not help thinking how privileged he was to have that marvelous sight to behold every day. Then I imagined how awfully tragic it was to do it alone. How terrible it was to have all the luxury in the world but be misunderstood all your life even after death. Sadly, the King passed away even before the castle which was paid for out of his personal wealth was completed. It was said that he only slept 11 nights in a place he intended to be his refuge from reality.
Mystery
Records say that before his death, Ludwig told his governess that he wanted to remain an eternal mystery. If you visit Neuschwanstein and the other two extravagant castles he built, you could say his wish has long been granted. For a castle intended for one man, Neuschwanstein garners around 1.4 million visitors from all over the world every year.
If you are planning a trip to Schloss Neuschwanstein or would like to know more about its history and other information, you may refer to its official page.
Here are a few photos from outside the castle. The use of camera inside the palace was prohibited. Pictures of the other castles of King Ludwig II that I have visited will be posted soon. Below is also a short clip of the castle from the Marienbruke.
If you love castles, you may want to read my post on another famous site in Germany. Click here to read about the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.