Neuschwanstein Castle Facts

Bavaria has some of the most impressive castles and palaces in Europe, three of which were created out of the fantasies of reclusive King Ludwig II. King Ludwig, who was enthralled by the music of composer Richard Wagner, built one of his castles to resemble the set of the German composer's operas.



The Neucheswanstein castle is perched high on a hill overlooking both the border town of Schwangau and its sister castle, Hohenschwangau. Neucheswanstein Castle was originally called "New Hohenschwangau Castle" until the king's death, when it was re-named Neuschwanstein, the castle of the Swan Knight, Lohengrin, of Wagner's opera of the same name. In origin, the castle has been the Schwanstein, the seat of the knights of Schwangau, who's emblem had been the swan.



The German King Ludwig II built this fairy tale castle on top of the ruins of a much older castle. This castle housed many people who belonged to the king's court. Its location on a remote hill afforded the castle security from invaders. Neuschwanstein Castle is the model used for Disney's amusement park castles.



Neucheswanstein was unfinished when, in 1886, the King was declared insane by a State Commission and arrested at the castle. Taken to Berg Palace, he was found drowned in Lake Starnberg, along with the psychiatrist who certified him, on 13 June 1886. The exact circumstances of his death remain unexplained.



Neuschwanstein's setting is breathtaking, as the castle sits on a rugged hill with a verdant backdrop of Bavaria's best mountain scenery. In winter, this lush forest landscape transforms into a snowy winter wonderland. More than 1 million visitors make the pilgrimage to this mecca of mythology each year, making it one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations.