Neuswanstein

After saying goodbye to our friends, we southwest to get to Neuswanstein Castle. When we arrived it was pouring down rain. This was not Seattle rain, but driving mountain rain. We stood in line to get our tickets and then realized that it was about three hours until the next English tour of Neuswanstein Castle. So we decided to buy the “Royal Ticket” and go to both castles (kids under eighteen are free by the way).

We returned to our car, dressed more warmly, and then hiked up to Hohenschwangau Castle.

The Hohenschwangau Castle was built by King Maximilian II of Bavaria on top of the ruin of a citadel that he came across while hunting. The citadel was one of four guarding the old Roman road that went to… Rome! Although built as a summer residence, Maximilian’s queen, Marie of Prussia, didn’t like Munich and preferred to live in the country. So, Hohenschwangau became the family’s residence and was where King Ludwig II and King Otto grew up.

The interior was painted with pictures of Medieval times, with glorified battles (no dirt or blood), victorious knights, and beautiful maidens. It was pretty easy to see how Ludwig grew up thinking the world was all fun and games. Apparently Maximilian didn’t teach his sons how to be a king either.

So, this is Hohenschwangau Castle, or part of it anyway.

Neuswanstein, through the rain. One of Ludwig’s six castles. Only three of them were built before his (very mysterious!) death though, and not really finished either. The entire third floor (meant for guests) was unfinished, and a keep tower was planned here. It was beautiful inside (we weren’t allowed to take pictures) and very extravagant! Ludwig’s bedroom alone had four (or three or five) wood carvers working in it for four years.

After the tour, we visited the museum shop (there’s a zillion here) and the cafe. We bought lots of postcards and several other fun things. By the end, the rain let up, and we were able to walk back down the hill.

Although we got thoroughly soaked, we had lots of fun and have added another destination to our list.