Neuschwanstein originally built as retreat for king
Ann-Marie Colacino/Metro Toronto
One of the best exterior views of Neuschwanstein castle is from the Marienbrücke, the bridge located behind it (on the north side).
Sure, Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle is a magical place, but imagine visiting the real-life royal residence that inspired the popular Walt Disney concept. That muse is Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle, originally built as the retreat of the last king of Bavaria, King Ludwig II (1845-86).
Deemed a misunderstood eccentric (and a latent homosexual), Ludwig II was a mesmerizing historical figure who harboured a great love for the arts. In fact, Neuschwanstein was also built as a patron of the German composer/music theorist Richard Wagner, primarily known for his operas or “music dramas.”
Inside the castle, numerous wall paintings depict scenes from Wagner’s operas, and the castle name itself was adopted from his romantic opera Lohengrin, which is based around a swan knight — “New Swan Stone” or “Neuschwanstein” (although named posthumous).
The castle’s fairytale aura begins with its surroundings. Located in the Bavarian Alps near the town of Füssen, the medieval-style building is nestled on a rugged hill amid unspoiled nature and picturesque mountain slopes. One of the best exterior views can be seen from the Marienbrücke, the bridge located behind it (on the north side).
The panoramic landscape of lakes, both large and small, hiking trails and lush meadows, which can be observed through Neuschwanstein’s windows, is stunning.
Also stunning is the panoramic landscape of lakes, both large and small, hiking trails and lush meadows that can be observed through the castle windows (a view the king supposedly enjoyed very much).
Construction of the castle began in 1869 with theatrical set designer Christian Jank at the helm of its design (another source of its fantastical nature).
However, the castle was never completed due to Ludwig’s mysterious death on Lake Starnberg (southern Bavaria) in 1886, where he and a professor were found dead floating in the water.
Completed rooms that can be seen on a castle tour include the king’s bedroom (which took four and a half years to complete!), the servants’ rooms, throne room, dining room, oratory, dressing room, grotto, conservatory, study, singer’s hall and kitchen.
In addition to the painted legendary kings, knights, poets and lovers that adorn many of the building’s rooms, another theme visitors will notice is Ludwig’s fascination with swans. From an obvious life-size porcelain version to the mini ones that decorate his washstand set, there are two reasons for this fixation: One is the swan was the heraldic animal of the Counts of Schwangau (whose successor the king considered himself to be), and second is the fact the swan is the Christian symbol of “purity,” which Ludwig strived for.
But Ludwig wasn’t always a conflicted individual. Apparently, he enjoyed some happy childhood summers at Hohenschwangau, the castle his father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria, built as the royal cottage. Today, it’s located only about two kilometres away from Neuschwanstein and is also open to the public.
Ludwig’s mother and the queen, Princess Marie of Prussia, and his younger brother Otto also stayed at the castle, which was built on the remains of the fortress Schwanstein (dating back to the 12th century).
In 1886, Ludwig was declared insane — by Bernhard von Gudden, the psychiatrist with whom he was found dead — and officially deposed by the government.
The reliability of “evidence” indicating his illness is said to be questionable, leaving experts and scholars divided on the issue even today.
Our castle guide believes he was a victim of politics and, equally, a man beyond his time with ideas and dreams of somehow flying across his country.
Known by so many names — the “Mad King,” “Fairy Tale King” and the “Swan King” — Ludwig II will always remain a character of mystery, with his fantastical castles being the only clue.
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