Neuschwanstein

Neuschwanstein Castle (German: Schloss Neuschwanstein, lit. New Swan Stone Castle; IPA pronunciation: /nɔy'ʃvanʃtain/) is a late 19th century castle in Germany, near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, not far from the Austrian border at approximately . It is the most photographed building in Germany , and is one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations.

Construction was started by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as "Mad King Ludwig". It was named after the Swan Knight, Lohengrin, of Wagner's opera, and was designed by Christian Jank. The castle is located near Hohenschwangau Castle, an older structure restored by Ludwig's father, Maximilian II of Bavaria. Owing to his eccentricites and his perceived use of Bavarian funds (a myth, as Ludwig actually used his own money to finance the construction of the castle), Ludwig was removed from power before the castle was completed. Soon after Ludwig's mysterious death (he drowned in Lake Starnberg) in 1886, the castle and its amazing interior were opened to the public. Many tapestries and paintings depict scenes from the operas of Richard Wagner, a reflection of Ludwig's love for Wagner's work. However, many of the interior rooms remain undecorated; only 14 rooms were finished before Ludwig's death. At the end of the second World War a hoard of gold from the German Reichsbank had been stored in the castle. In the last days of the war it was carried off to an unknown place. According to unproven rumours it was plunged into the nearby Alat lake. Many other items, such as gold snuff boxes, antique jewelry, furniture, and famous paintings (all stolen), were also stored at the castle. They were destined for Adolf Hitler's personal collection.

The nearby Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge), named after Marie of Prussia, provides a beautiful side view of Neuschwanstein.

Neuschwanstein, the (relatively) modern fairy-tale castle of Bavaria, inspired the modern fairy-tale castle at Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty Castle. The inspiration for the Cinderella Castles at other Disney parks is sometimes incorrectly attributed to Neuschwanstein. The basis for those designs is the Château d'Ussé in France [http://www.dlp-guidebook.de/Lands/Fantasyland/Attractions/ChateauDeLaBelle.htm.

Neuschwanstein appears prominently in Luchino Visconti's 1972 film Ludwig, and also in the 1992 film From Time to Time (also known as De Temps en Temps) as one of many famous European landmarks that are shown to Jules Verne.

Neuschwanstein also appeared in among others the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a castle in the fictional land of Vulgaria and in season 1 episode 7 of the television series The Amazing Race and in the 1987 film Spaceballs

External links

Neuschwanstein Wallpaper - from National Geographic

Castles in Germany | Royal residences | Landmarks in Germany

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Neuschwanstein

See also

External links