Just how grand and appreciated is Neuschwanstein Castle? Well, it’s been featured in a lot of films and has been the inspiration for the sleeping beauty castle, yes THE “Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.” It’s visited by over 1.3 million people a year. Located at a rugged hill just above Hohenschwangau village, it was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as his personal refuge, but was opened in 1886 after his death.
The castle was never finished, if it had been then it would have had over 200 interior rooms instead of 14. Three years was their estimation before it was finished, but since Ludwig II wanted everything to be perfect, it took longer and wasn’t finished even at his death 17 years later. Neuschwanstein Castle is well equipped with the modern technology of their time like toilets with automatic flush on every floor and even an air heating system for the entire castle.
In the courtyard, you can find an astonishing inner garden and even as far as an artificial cave. Of course we can’t forget to mention the two story Byzantine style throne room, with paintings that depict angels, which ironically does not have a throne since Ludwig II died before they had a chance to install it. The castle’s surroundings are just as grand as the interior, since it’s situated atop a hill you can imagine how fairy tale-like the view is; forests and valleys all waiting to please the eyes.
A few things to remember though, tickets can only be bought at the ticket center located in Hohenschwangau village. Rooms can only be viewed through guided tours, smoking and photographing/filming aren’t allowed, child carriers/prams/huge rucksacks and the like may not be taken in since there’s a limited space for depositing and animals aren’t allowed.
