When it comes to castles, we are spoiled for choice around Munich . King Ludwig of Bavaria spared no expense and had some of Germany’s most magnificent fairytale castles built in the region. But there is one that none of them can match. That’s right, we are talking about what is probably Germany’s most famous magnificent building, which has inspired countless fairy tales and dreamers : Neuschwanstein Castle.
It is the epitome of a romantic castle and one of Germany’s most famous landmarks. Although not located directly in Munich, it towers over Hohenschwangau near Füssen in the Bavarian Allgäu region. Every year, it attracts millions of visitors from all over the world , and you shouldn’t miss it either.
A retreat for the fairy-tale king
We already know that King Ludwig was an absolute fan of castles. Neuschwanstein was also built to satisfy his desire for pomp and splendor . After ascending the throne in 1864 at the age of just 18, he laid the foundation stone for Neuschwanstein Castle only five years later. He wanted to build an “ideal castle” in the medieval style, which would serve as a private retreat.
It took 15 years after construction began before the castle was finally ready for habitation. Of the more than 200 rooms planned, only 15 were completely finished. Ludwig moved in in 1884, but only lived there for a total of 172 days. Although he wanted to use the castle as a private residence, this quickly changed. Just seven weeks after the death of the reclusive king, it was opened to the public – primarily to pay off the king’s enormous debts with the admission fees.
Today, we can see how far the construction work progressed during the reign of King Ludwig. Ironically, the throne itself is missing from the throne room. The other interior rooms are decorated almost exclusively with scenes from the operas of Richard Wagner, who also helped shape the UNESCO building in Bayreuth. And why not place a grotto in the middle of a building? Between his living room and study, the king had an artificial stalactite cave built with colored electric lighting and a waterfall.
From private residence to Germany’s most visited castle
Neuschwanstein is a real fairytale castle, as the view of it on the rock against the backdrop of the Alps leaves no doubt. The famous bridge over the Pöllat Gorge, from which almost all tourist photos are taken, was named after Ludwig’s mother, Queen Marie. The castle even served as direct inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland! This connection has firmly anchored it in global pop culture.
The castle, which was intended as a lonely fortress against the world, has thus become the most visited building in Bavaria. You can only visit it with a booked guided tour; the dates can be found directly on the website. Reserve early, as tickets sell out quickly. In summer, exclusive open-air classical concerts are occasionally held. Neuschwanstein Castle is difficult to compare—it is a direct homage to a romanticized view of the Middle Ages and rightly a UNESCO World Heritage Site.