Neuschwanstein Castle

Want to visit one of the most striking, beautiful and amazing buildings in the world, take a look and pay a visit to this architectural wonder.

Neuschwanstein Castle is a Romanesque Revival palace built on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwanhau in southwest Bavaria, Germany. Surrounded by a beautiful landscape built for King Ludwig II. The name in english means New Swanstone Castle, even though it looks medieval it was actually built in the late nineteenth-century. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner the famous German composer.

Ludwig paid for the palace out of his personal fortune and by means of extensive borrowing, rather than Bavarian public funds. Laying the foundations started in 1868, after the ruins of the medieval twin castles were completely demolished; the remains of the old keep were blown up. The foundation stone for the palace was laid on September 5, 1869; in 1872 its cellar was completed and in 1876, everything up to the first floor, the gatehouse being finished first. At the end of 1882 it was completed and fully furnished, allowing Ludwig to take provisional lodgings there and observe the ongoing construction work.

Courtyard still under construction (circa 1886)

King Ludwig II dedicated the building to the life and works of Richard Wagner, who died in 1883 before he had set foot in the building. Ludwig paid for the palace out of his personal fortune and by means of extensive borrowing, rather than Bavarian public funds. In the end, Ludwig II only lived in the main palace for a total of 172 days. The castle was intended as a home for the king, until he died in 1886. It was open to the public shortly after his death.

This beautiful castle is one of the most photographed buildings in the world, even though photography is not permitted inside of the castle. Which is a shame because the building is so stunning i could spend a full day taking quality photographs as the views from the top of the tower must be breathtaking.

Palace rooms (late 19th century Photochrom prints) below

Dining Room

Drawing Room

Hall of the Singers

Study Room

Throne Hall

Bedroom

Information for visitors
If you're staying in Munich and want to take a day trip to Neuschwanstein, the best way to get there and the nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, (where the Ludwig family actually lived) is by the regional Bavarian train. It runs every couple of hours, and the trip will take about 2 ½ hours to the nearby town of Fussen. Neuschwanstein Castle is situated near Schwangau and Füssen in the Allgäu. The path to the castle starts in the village of Hohenschwangau, and this is also your last opportunity to park. Please note: Entrance tickets can only be bought at the Ticketcenter Hohenschwangau in the village of Hohenschwangau below the castle.

Admission charges 2017

13 euros regular · 12 euros reduced
Children and young people under 18 are free.

Cars and bicycles are not allowed on the road to the castle and walking on foot takes about 30-40 minutes to walk from the ticket centre to the castle (around 1.5 km on a steep uphill road).

Why not take a romantic trip by horse-drawn carriage the departure point: Hotel Müller, Alpseestraße, Hohenschwangau, because of space limitations, the carriages cannot go right up to the castle. From the carriage turning area beneath the castle it is an uphill walk of about 300 metres or 5-10 minutes to the castle entrance.

Price: Uphill trip 6 euros / downhill trip 3 euros (as of 1 October 2016)

Tickets can be bought from the carriage driver.

The carriages operate all year round and shuttle according to demand, with no fixed timetable.

Reservations are unfortunately not possible.

The carriages do not operate when there is snow or ice on the roads.

The carriage service is not operated by the Bavarian Palace Department, but by independent companies.

Guided tours
Unfortunately visitors are not free to explore the castle as they wish, guided tours only and the tours last approximately 30 minutes. You can book the ticket for your guided tour in advance for an additional prepaid charge at the Ticketcenter Hohenschwangau two days before the desired castle visit (3 pm local time) at the latest. On the second floor of Neuschwanstein Castle the "Café & Bistro"invites you to take some refreshment after your guided tour if you wish.