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Neuschanstein CastleNeuschwanstein Castle is Mad King Ludwig's magnificent and most famous castle.  This is also the castle that Walt Disney patterned his theme park after.  With its turrets and mock-medievalism, and its interior styles ranging from Byzantine through Romanesque to Gothic, Germany's number one tourist spot is a real fairy-tale fantasy come true.

Neuschwanstein Castle with Rising Sun  Alpsee Lake  Horse Cart

The castle is perched high on a hill overlooking the border town of Füssen.  The castle was built for the Bavarian King Ludwig II as a comfortable home above the Alpsee lake and with the Alps towering all around the castle.  Construction went on between 1869 and 1886, but only about a third of the building was actually completed.

The 15 rooms you see on the tour show astonishing craftsmanship and richness of detail.  The woodcarvings in King Ludwig's bedroom took 14 carpenters 4 1/2 years to complete.  Wagner was a frequent companion of the King (he had his own room in the castle) and the castle's wall murals feature highlights from his operas.

The best view of the castle and a 45m waterfall is from the nearby Mary's Bridge (Marienbr
ücke), which spans a deep gorge.  You can get to this bridge by taking the trail which branches off the road at the foot of the castle.  This trail wraps up and around the ridgeline to a scenic outlook at the bridge.  NOTE: This trail may be closed due to ice during winter.

The scenery around the castle is spectacular, and the castle offers a splendid bird's eye view of the countryside below.

Neuschwanstein Archway  Neuschwanstein Window  Mary's Bridge  View from Castle

TOUR:
You may only enter the castle on a tour (available in English).  You can purchase your tickets for both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschangau at the information booth located in the valley between the two castles. 

HINT: Be sure to bring along your student or US military ID cards to get a discount.  Be sure to bring Euros for parking and entrance fees.

Guided tours take about 35 minutes, and you will have to walk 170 steps up and down--a lift is not available.  The castle (like Hohenschwangau) is open daily April to October, 8.30-5.30, November to March 10-4.  You are not allowed to take photographs or videotape the inside of the castle.

Tickets can be booked in advance by calling (0 83 62) 93 08 30.

Neuschwanstein Castle  Neuschwanstein Castle in the Snow  Neuschwanstein Castle in the Fog

Directions:
From Stuttgart
Take the A8 towards M
ünchen (Munich), then turn right on the A7 towards Kempten.  Exit off of the A7 onto 309/310 towards Füssen.  Turn right at the T-intersection onto 16, and drive into Füssen. Turn left when you come to the Füssen pedestrian zone and head out of town.  After the bridge, take the second right at the Y-intersection and follow the road to the castle.

Click Here to map your route to Neuschwanstein!
 

Other European Castles

 

Moving to Germany?  Look at out our tips!

Moving to Germany
Whether you are a member of the US Air Force, Army, or Navy, check out our guide to moving to Europe. 
 

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