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Nestled in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, Neuschwanstein was built as the private retreat of King Ludwig II. When work commenced in 1869, the royal ruler requested that the architect Eduard Riedel base his design upon the stage sets of German scenery painter Christian Jank. Outside, the towers and spires were a romantic reinterpretation of a classic medievel castle, yet the interior was equipped with every modern convenience available. In 1886, Ludwig II died with his castle unfinished and cloaked in scaffolding.

 

 

 

 

Tourist Hit

Each year, 1.3 million tourists visit this scenic part of Germany and pass through Neuschwanstein.

 

 

On Tap

Mineral-rich drinking water was piped to the castle from a natural spring 650 ft (200 m) away.

 

 

Modern Conveniences

Features of the castle included elevators, automatic flushing toilets, and a telephone system.

 

 

Stage of Opera

Ludwig II admired the composer Richard Wagner, basing the castle’s interior painting on his operas.

 

 

Dinner For One

 

As Ludwig II dined alone, the dining room was small compared to the rest of the castle.

 

 

Imitation Luxury

 

Much of the room’s grandeur was an illusion – the pillars and mosaics were plaster and paint.

 

 

Combined Influences

 

From Romanesque to Gothic and Byzantium, the interior was a mixture of architectural styles.

Wagner Performance

The castle’s first Wagner concert was performed in the Singer’s Hall more than 60 years after Ludwig’s death.

 

 

Eroding Surface

The Alp’s harsh wintry climate erodes the soft limestone surface, requiring regular maintenance.

 

 

Limestone Exterior

The limestone used to clad the brick exterior was quarried from the nearby town of Alterschrofen.

 

 

Gothic Grandeur

Over four years, 14 artisans carved the oak that made up the king’s Gothic-inspired bedroom.

 

 

King’s Hideaway

With colored lighting and small waterfall, “The Grotto” was built to resemble a dripstone cave.

 

 

Wide Windows

 

When Neuschwanstein was built, the windowpanes were considered very large and extravagant.

 

 

Central Heating

In freezing winters, the castle was kept warm by a sophisticated central heating system.

 

 

Hired Help

The reclusive king refused visitors, and had more than 30 servants while he lived in the castle.

 

 

Unstable Soils

Set on shitting rock, the castle’s foundations need constant maintenance to ensure safety.

 

 

Laying Foundations

The foundation stone was laid in 1869, but king did not live in the castle until 1884.

 

 

Opera Enthusiast

 

When planning Neuschwanstein’s construction, King Ludwig II asked the stage scenery designer Christian Jank to create an artwork (above) for the architects to use as their blueprint. Jank was later employed to paint murals of medieval kings, knights, and poets that composer Richard Wagner mentioned inn his operas.

 

 

WOW!

 

King Ludwig II used the latest technologies in all areas of his life. He was said to travel by night in high-powered sleighs and coaches, while dressed in historic costume.

 

   

 

Castle Grandeur

 

Featuring a crown protected by fierce animals, the king’s personal coat of arms was carved over the castle’s main entrance. This led the way into room after room of ornate columns, decorative details, and colorful paintings. A swan crest was also seen regularly throughout the castle.  Lohengrin, the hero of Wagner’s opera of the same name, was known as the “swan knight” because he sailed in a boat pulled by a swan.

 

 

 

Building blocks

 

Like the dramatic operas that King Ludwig II admired, the construction of Neuschwanstein Castle was an epic production. Building work commenced on the castle in 1869, with the foundation stone laid on September 5 of that year, and its roofs finally added in 1881. The site has an idyllic outlook over rugged mountain alps and low-lying meadows, yet the remote rocky location was a challenge for the teams of construction staff. Tons of bricks, cement, and Salzburg marble were carted to the site from Bavaria and neighboring lands, with cranes powered by steam engines lifting the materials into place.

 

 

Under Construction

 

During its long construction, the castle’s architectural plans changed frequently from the original plan. The deep rock foundations beneath the castle provided a strong anchor for the towering wooden scaffolding that surrounded the structure for 15 years.

 

 

 

Fairytale Castle

 

The Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland theme park in California was based on the design of Neuschwanstein. Opened by Walt Disney on July q7, 1955, the pink and blue fantasy structure includes “fortifications” imitating a traditional Germanic Castle, such as watchtower, turrets, a drawbridge, and moat.