KING LUDWIG'S CASTLE

Neuschwanstein Castle the New Swan Stone Castle; is a 19th century Bavarian castle. Located in Germany, near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, the castle was built by Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, as a retreat and as an homage to Richard Wagner, the King's inspiring muse. It is the most photographed building in Germany, although photography of the interior is not permitted,and is one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations.




Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, Ludwig Friedrich Wilhelm (August 25, 1845 �" June 13, 1886) was king of Bavaria from 1864 until shortly before his death. He is sometimes referred to in English by his detractors as 'mad' King Ludwig. There is ample evidence to prove that he was far from mad. In German, Ludwig is known by the far kinder description as 'the fairy-tale' King (der Märchenkönig). He is best known for his personal eccentricity and for the extravagant fantasy castles he constructed, such as Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee. Neuschwanstein Castle was used as the inspiration for Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle in the animated film Sleeping Beauty and also for the castles at the many Disney parks around the world. King Ludwig II left a large collection of plans for other castles that were never realised. One was to be called Falkenstein, another was to be built in the style of a Chinese summer palace and yet another in the style of a Byzantine palace.