Neuschwanstein (in Schwangau)
This is King Ludwig's most famous castle. With its turrets and mock-medievalism, its interior styles ranging from Byzantine through Romanesque to Gothic its a real fairy-tale fantasy come true. It was built between 1869 and 1886. Only about a third of the building was actually completed. The 15 rooms you see on the tour show astonishing craftsmanship and richness of detail.Woodcarving in Ludwig's bedroom took 14 carpenters 4 1/2 years to complete. Wagner's operas feature everywhere in the form of murals. The best view of the castle and a 45m waterfall is from the nearby Mary's Bridge (Marienbruecke), which spans a deep gorge. On the path between this bridge and the castle is a wonderful view of Hohenschwangau and the Alpsee. King Ludwig II of Bavaria ordered to build this castle to express his idea of being a king. The planning was first made by the royal master-builder Eduard Riedel and as result a building was designed that was determined as a monumental Romanesque castle. The scene-painter Christian Jank made major contributions to the plans. The work started in 1869 with the tower house. The castle reveals its splendour to the visitors in the king's bedroom. The magnificence could be seen from the architecture to the frescos, paintings, carved works, mosaics and ornaments, furniture and decorations. Innumerable artists worked there: painters, sculptors, carvers, joiners, glass painters, art smiths, locksmiths, decorators, seamstresses and embroiderers. They created works from their own imagination with highest craft skill by using historical design.
Click here to get detailed information on visiting Neuschwanstein.
Click here for the picture gallery. (coming soon...)
In 1523 the castle was already described as not useful for defence purposes but with thin walls. The repair by the Italian architect Licio de Spari 1538 - 41 for the building owner, the Augsburg patrician Paumgarten, was nearly a rebuilding. The building was the main residence of the government of Schwangau. After repeated change of ownership, the Crown Prince Maximilian of Bavaria was addicted to the charm of the place and bought the meanwhile to ruin decayed castle. The restoration started in 1833. The remarkable, on one side rounded ground-plan was retained and through the tower on the south-west corner resulted a regular building front. King Maximilian II has used the castle as summer residence. As expected will be found the abundance of decorations in the interior, the innumerable paintings and the stories they narrate from the honourable persons of the German legend and history till to the heroic deeds of the then living generations of the family Wittelsbach.
Click here to get detailed information on visiting Hohenschwangau.
Click here for the picture gallery. (coming soon...)
Linderhof (50 km away from Schwangau)
King Ludwig's favorite castle, was built between 1870 and 1879, modelled on the Petit Trianon at Versailles, France. Its interior has characteristically lavish adornments, full of mirrors, painted ceilings and gilded cherubs, in a mixture of Renaissance and baroque styles. The surroundig gardens in french, italian and english style include a grand cascade, artificial grottos. The name of the castle is derived from the farmer family "Linder", who owned a farm at this place.
Herrenchiemsee (approx. 300 km away from Schwangau)
This is Bavarian King Ludwig's II. largest castle. The king decided to make a replica of Versailles (near Paris, France), but only managed to build the central portion before funds ran out. What exits is very impressive, with French gardens, a big hall of mirrors, and a state room where classical concerts are held. This palace is located on an island named "Herreninsel" in the lovely lake Chiemsee. There is a passenger boat service around the lake. Nearby is lovely Fraueninsel, and in Prien you can take a 19th century steam-train for a 2 km-ride from the station to the pier for boats to the islands.
