GERMANY // King Ludwig I of Bavaria (1845-86) certainly knew how to pick his locations. His fairy-tale pile, Schloss Neuschwanstein, is a riot of towers and turrets surging up from a sheer wooded hill, with the snow-capped Bavarian Alps backdrop the icing on the cake. It's every inch the childhood dream and indeed the Romanesque-revival schloss played a starring role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle. Obsessed with German mythology and Wagner's operatic works, King Ludwig enlisted a set designer for the interiors, which include the frenziedly frescoed Sängersaal (Minstrels' Hall) and Byzantine-style Thronsaal (Throne Room). For the postcard view of Neuschwanstein, walk 10 minutes up to the gorge-spanning Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge). And bear in mind the castle can only be visited by guided tour.

Why is Neuschwanstein Castle so famous?

The castle was built on the orders of King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a personal retreat and tribute to the composer Richard Wagner. Neuschwanstein has also played a role in Bavarian history and is a popular tourist attraction, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Who lived in Neuschwanstein Castle?

Neuschwanstein Castle was built for only one person - King Ludwig II. Neuschwanstein is so huge that on some days up to 6,000 tourists visit it. Ludwig slept only 11 nights in the castle. Ludwig was a patron of Richard Wagner, and Wagner's operas inspired many rooms in the castle.

Why was the Neuschwanstein Castle never finished?

Most of it is unfinished
You wouldn't know it from the outside, but a lot of Neuschwanstein is unfinished on the inside. This is due to King Ludwig's lack of money to build it. The king loved to build and has two other castles in Bavaria that you can visit.

Can you go inside the Neuschwanstein Castle?

Neuschwanstein Castle can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Your entry ticket is valid for a guided tour of the castle at a specific time. We expressly point out that guided tours start on time. If you arrive late, it is no longer possible to participate in the guided tour.

What are 3 interesting facts about Neuschwanstein Castle?

• Construction lasted almost two decades.
• Personal retreat of King Ludwig II.
• The castle has more than 200 rooms.
• It was built on the site of two former castles.
• The castle has a hidden cave. ...
• Inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle.
• Famous for special horror stories!
• The name of the castle means "new castle of the swan".