- Tourist Information
- Map
- Why is Neuschwanstein Castle famous?
- What inspired King Ludwig II to build this castle?
- What does Neuschwanstein mean and where is the name inspired from?
- What are the best vantage points for photographing the castle?
- Why is the Marie Bridge (Marienbrücke) important?
- What interior rooms can be visited in the castle?
- What legends and mysteries does Neuschwanstein Castle hide?
- Ludwig’s Dream Castle
- Wagner’s castle
- The Legends of Tannhäuser
- The Mystery of King Ludwig
Tourist Information
| Type | Castle |
| Year | 1869 |
| Getting to the Castle | Check the MAP of the area before you arrive. The 3 ways to get to the castle: On foot It takes about 30-40 minutes to get from the ticket center to the castle. Horse-drawn carriage Starting point: Hotel Müller, Alpseestraße, Hohenschwangau Due to the lack of space, the carriages cannot reach exactly in front of the castle. They drop you off nearby and from there, you walk another 15 minutes at a leisurely pace. Price: Ascent: 7 euros / Descent: 3.50 euros Tickets are purchased from the cart drivers. The carriages run throughout the year and travel according to demand, without a fixed timetable. Unfortunately, reservations are not possible. By bus Starting point: Parking P4 (at the base of the Hohenschwangau Palace) Buses go to the intersection point next to the Marie Bridge (Marienbrücke). From here it is about 500 meters on foot (10-15 minutes) (slope of 12-19%) to the entrance to the castle. Price: Uphill 2.50 euros / Uphill, standing 1.50 euros / Downhill: 3 euros (starting June 1, 2018). The buses operate according to demand, i.e. without a fixed timetable. Tickets can be obtained on the bus or at the ticket offices near the stations. Reservations are not possible. Buses do not operate if there is snow or ice on the road. |
| Tickets | Entrance tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle can be bought in the Hohenschwangau village below the castle or online. Buy tickets here: https://shop.ticket-center-hohenschwangau.de/Shop/Index/en/39901 Your ticket is valid for a tour of the castle at a specific time. Be punctual! After 5 minutes from the time indicated on the ticket, you will no longer be able to enter. There is a turnstile at the gate and it is programmed automatically. You need time to reach the castles depending on the method you choose. Ticket price € 13 – Adults free for those under 17 Photos are not allowed inside the castle Ticket office schedule: – April to October 15: Between 7:30 and 17:00 – October 16 – March: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m Neuschwanstein Castle Program Summer: April 1, 2023 – October 15, 2023 Guided tours daily from 9.00 to 18.00. Winter: October 16, 2023 – March 31, 2024 Guided tours daily from 10.00 to 16.00. Closed: December 24th, December 25th, December 31st and January 1st |
| Website | Official Site |
| Location | Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany, Europe |
Map
Why is Neuschwanstein Castle famous?
Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the late 19th century by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It was built as a romanticized homage to the medieval era and served as a personal retreat for the king. Construction of the castle began in 1869 and was not completed during the lifetime of Ludwig II. Since then it has become one of the most famous and iconic castles in the world.
The castle is famous primarily because of its beauty and because of its location, being built on a high cliff. The castle dominates the entire area from a height.
The castle has appeared in several films and was the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Annually, more than 1.5 million visitors come to visit the castles in Germany, making this castle one of the most visited castles in the world. Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most visited castles in Germany and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
What inspired King Ludwig II to build this castle?
King Ludwig II was inspired by a deep appreciation for medieval architecture and art, as well as his admiration for the works of composer Richard Wagner. He intended Neuschwanstein Castle to be a place to immerse himself in a romantic world reminiscent of Wagner’s works and his own dreams of chivalry.
Ludwig only slept 11 nights in the castle.
King Ludwig was Richard Wagner’s patron, and many of the castle’s rooms are inspired by Wagner’s works.
The king’s bedroom, in neo-Gothic style, is dominated by a huge bed decorated with sculptures. Fourteen people worked on the oak wood carvings.
When the construction of the castle began, the king wanted:
- To be built by Bavarian workers with local materials, which led to the creation of a strong craft industry in Bavaria.
- Seen from the outside, it looks like the fairytale castles that delighted Louis II in his youth.
- Inside to contain the technological discoveries of the era. The castle has electricity, the first mobile phone in history (which covered only 6 m), and a kitchen that uses heat according to the rules developed by Leonardo da Vinci.
- As with other palaces, the king wanted to have a small grotto, built with metal reinforcement and cement, which allowed him to isolate himself from the world and live in his fairy tale world.
What does Neuschwanstein mean and where is the name inspired from?
Neuschwanstein means “New Stone Swan”. The name of the castle comes from Lohengrin, the “swan knight” from German mythology, the protagonist of an opera written by Wagner.
What are the best vantage points for photographing the castle?
Some of the best viewpoints to capture stunning photos of Neuschwanstein Castle include the Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) and the Tegelberg viewpoint. Both offer breathtaking panoramic views of the castle against the backdrop of the Bavarian Alps.
You can also take photos from the parking lot or near the ticket office.
Why is the Marie Bridge (Marienbrücke) important?
Marie Bridge (Marienbrücke) is a bridge built over the Pöllat Gorge, named after Queen Mary of Prussia, and which is a wonderful viewpoint for Neuschwanstein.
What interior rooms can be visited in the castle?
The interior of Neuschwanstein Castle includes several elaborately decorated rooms, such as the Throne Room, the Singer’s Room, and King Ludwig II’s Bedroom. These rooms are adorned with intricate frescoes, wood carvings, and other decorative elements that reflect the king’s taste for the romantic and medieval.
What legends and mysteries does Neuschwanstein Castle hide?
Ludwig’s Dream Castle
Legend has it that King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who commissioned the construction of the castle in the 19th century, conceived it as a place of refuge and an oasis of beauty and dreams. King Ludwig is said to have envisioned the castle as a recreation of the fairy tale worlds of his childhood, and its romantic appearance and unusual design are considered manifestations of his idyllic visions.
Wagner’s castle
Another popular myth is related to the famous German composer Richard Wagner, whose works influenced King Ludwig. It is said that the castle was built as a tribute to Wagner’s work and that some rooms were decorated with scenes and characters from his works.
The Legends of Tannhäuser
Neuschwanstein Castle is located near the Alps mountains and the area of the legendary place called “Tannhäuser’s Valley”. This place has been associated with the legend of the knight and minstrel Tannhäuser, who is a symbol of eternal search and love. The castle is said to have been built in this area to capture the spirit of this legend.
The Mystery of King Ludwig
King Ludwig II of Bavaria lived a life full of mystery and controversy and his death in 1886 was surrounded by conspiracies and unresolved questions. This part of its history adds an additional element of mystery and romance to the legend of Neuschwanstein Castle.
