Germany Day 3 Neuschwanstein Castle

Day 3 was probably my favorite day of our trip.  We visited the Neuschwanstein Castle.  This castle is nestled in the Alps on the Southern border of Germany close to the Austrian border.  This castle was built by King Ludwig II.  Ludwig had an obsession with castles and nice things.  He had multiple castles built.  He died mysteriously in a lake before this castle could be finished.  He was called "mad" because of his obsessions which caused him to be steeped in debt.  

Only 15 of the 200 planned rooms were finished in this castle before Ludwig died.  It was 17 years in the making.  He only lived in this castle a total of 172 days!  

Joseph had done a lot of research about this castle before we went and heard mixed reviews about paying for the tour.  One website said to pay for it since you are in the area, but it is really disappointing.  We went in with really low expectations and we were pleasantly surprised.   No pictures were allowed inside the castle.  

The interior is very elaborate and ornate.  Ludwig was a fan of Richard Wagner so he had multiple murals on the walls depicting various operas of Wagner.  Ludwig also loved swans and in his sitting room he had over 100 swans in the room--in the wood work, embroidered on the curtains, his flower vase, etc.  Back when Ludwig was alive there was a cave in the castle with a real waterfall.  Ludwig patterned his castle after a medieval castle, but made sure it was up to date with the latest conveniences as well.  He had a swan shaped wash bowl that had running water.  He had a lift for the servants to bring up his food.  He had a telephone and a huge modern kitchen.  I can't describe how beautiful it was inside and how happy it made me feel to see it.

This castle is referred to as the "fairy tale" castle and sometimes the "Cinderella" castle since the "castle" in Disney World is patterned after this one. It was definitely more of a palace than a castle used for defense.

View of the castle from the town below.

The street below the castle.

These next few pictures are of the Hohenschwangau Castle.  Ludwig's parents owned this castle so it was fitting that Ludwig built his "new castle" within in view of his parent's "house".

I wish we would have had time to tour this castle but we didn't.  I guess if we had rushed through the tour of the Neuschwanstein we might have had time, but we didn't rush.

Walking the path up to the castle.

The view from the top of the path just before the castle gates.

The front/side.

Inside the castle gate.

The castle gate.

This gorgeous view was from the lower balcony of the castle.  You'll see a picture in a moment of the two balconies.  Wouldn't you love to have this view in your backyard?

In this picture you can see Ludwig's parents' castle.  It's dead center.

Here you can see the two balconies.  We were allowed out on the lower of the two.

The bridge that gives you the "picture perfect" view of Neuschwantstein castle was closed because of damage.  Joseph really wanted that picture location though and when he noticed other people on the forbidden path he convinced me to walk around behind the castle to see if he could find the path.  I told him I didn't want him to die or get arrested and that he had 5 minutes to get his picture.  He didn't die or get arrested but he did get this:

In case you missed it...here it is again...

and again.

Dreamy!!

Last view of the castle after we came down the mountain.  It's dead center.

Since Ludwig was so heavily in debt the castle was open for public tours 3 weeks after he died and it has attracted millions of visitors.  The rest of the castle was never finished.  If you are ever in the area, 

You should go!!