Neuschwanstein
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Image:Castle Neuschwanstein.jpg
- For the band, see Neuschwanstein (band).
Schloss Neuschwanstein (pre-reform spelling: Schloß Neuschwanstein; IPA pronunciation: /nɔy'ʃvanʃtain/), literally "new swan stone castle", is a late 19th century castle in Germany, near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, not far from the Austrian border at approximately Template:Coor dms. It is said to be the most photographed building in the worldTemplate:Citation needed, and is one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations.
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History
Construction was started by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as "Mad King Ludwig". It was named for the Swan Knight, Lohengrin, of Wagner's opera, and was designed by Christian Jank. The castle is located near Schloß Hohenschwangau, an older castle restored by Ludwig's father, Maximilian II of Bavaria. Owing to his eccentricites and his perceived use of Bavarian funds (a myth, as Ludwig actually used his own money to finance the construction of the castle), Ludwig was removed from power before the castle was completed. Soon after Ludwig's mysterious death in 1886, the castle and its amazing interior were opened to the public. Many tapestries and paintings depict scenes from the operas of Richard Wagner, a reflection of Ludwig's love for Wagner's work. However, many of the interior rooms remain undecorated; only 14 rooms were finished before Ludwig's death.
Image:Neuschwanstein Castle LOC print.jpg
The castle sits at the top of a hill, some 200 to 300 feet above the village. A steep, narrow switchback road leads to the front gate. The towers that are seen in the outside walls of the castle contain circular stairways. With over 360 rooms, it took 17 years to build. It is heated by a forced air, coal fired furnace in the basement. The throne room, which does not actually have a throne, is located in the rear of the castle on the fourth floor. The bed in the King's bedroom features ornate carving that woodcarvers worked on for two years. The castle has a very large, cobblestoned courtyard. It is unknown whether the castle contains a dungeon.
At the end of the second World War a hoard of gold from the German Reichsbank had been stored in the castle. In the last days of the war it was carried off to an unknown place. According to unproven rumours it was plunged into the nearby Alat lake. Many other items, such as gold snuff boxes, antique jewelry, furniture, and famous paintings (all stolen), were also stored at the castle. They were destined for Adolf Hitler's personal collection.
The nearby Marienbrücke (Marie's Bridge), named after Marie of Prussia, provides a beautiful side view of Neuschwanstein.
In popular culture
Image:Neuschwanstein from Fields.jpg Neuschwanstein, the (relatively) modern fairy-tale castle of Bavaria, inspired the modern fairy-tale castle at Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty Castle. The inspiration for the Cinderella Castles at other Disney parks is sometimes incorrectly attributed to Neuschwanstein. The basis for those designs is the Château d'Ussé in France [1], [2].
Neuschwanstein appears in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a castle in the land of Vulgaria.
It also appears in the childrens' animated series, Little Einsteins, in an episode where they go trick-or-treating.
See also
External links
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