Neuschwanstein Castle

The Neuschwanstein Castle had never been a defensive structure. It was built by a romantic person of the XIX century, king Ludwig II of Bavaria. The ruler had vivid imagination and almost unlimited state funds to bring his ideas to life. So the construction of a fairy castle began in 1869 not far from the border with Austria and lasted for 17 years but was not completed as Ludwig II was overthrown.

The name of the castle Neuschwanstein means "New swan cliff". The swan was a heraldic symbol of the royal family. Moreover Ludwig II was fond of Richard Wagner. He supported this German composer and considered himself to be the Swan knight, a personage of his opera. So in some way the castle is dedicated to Wagner and his works.

Eight meters of rock had to be removed from the top in order to lay the foundation of the Neuschwanstein Castle. But from afar this five-storeyed construction seems to be floating in the air. The form of the castle resembles a white stone Gothic fortress. Its lancet windows and high towers create a romantic image that makes a great impression.

Not all the rooms of the Neuschwanstein Castle were completed. But the finished ones are exceptionally beautiful. Among them are Marble Trone hall, dining-room, royal bedrom, drawing room, king's study, singers' hall. Wooden furniture is decorated with carving, the walls of the halls are painted with pictures and hung with tapestry. All the scenes contain motives of Wagner's works, old legends and swans, of course.

Romantic image of the Neuschwanstein Castle leaves no one indifferent, neither ordinary people nor people of art. They say Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky was inspired to write his "Swan lake" after visiting the castle. Films were shot in the Neuschwanstein Castle. A fairy castle, similar to the "Swan" castle, is depicted on the logotype of Walt Disney's studio. And so the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Paris.

King Ludwig II was not supposed to let visitors into his castle. But after his death and because of his huge debts, the Prince Regent of Bavaria Luitpold had to allow visiting the palace for a fee. For this purpose some rooms and the courtyard had to be completed, though without luxury decoration. Since that time a flow of tourists to the castle is only growing. And the Neuschwanstein Castle brings Germany considerable income.

Though the Neuschwanstein Castle is not very old, only a little more than a century, the legends are already being told about it. One of them is related to a mysterious death of its founder, king Ludwig II drowned in the lake. Another one is connected with the lost gold of the Reichsbank, which was kept in the castle during the World War II and then vanished forever.