Ein Eskimo in Bayern, Part II

Neuschwanstein
The Disneyland Castle

A few hours away from Sid's Oma's in southwest Bavaria is one of the most famous castles in the world - Neuschwanstein.  This incredible, unfinished work was built by Ludwig II a little over a century ago, which is very new as far as castles go.  This Ludwig fellow was quite careless with the state of Bavaria's money and spent it chiefly on luxurious things for himself.  Aside from Neuschwanstein he had two other grand palaces constructed for him.  As you might think, this didn't make too many people happy.. especially Ludwig's uncle and a few decades into the construction of his masterpiece (which by the way he dedicated to a famous opera writer - Richard Wagner), Ludwig mysteriously died while on a morning swim in a nearby lake.

The view from Neuschwanstein. The castle seen glowing in the sun is Hohenschwangau Castle, which belonged to Ludwig II's father, King Maximillian.  The Alps are seen in the distance.  

Sid and I first toured Hohenschwangau, also constructed in the 19th century.  Compared to Neuschwanstein, the exterior of Hohenschwangau is much more modest; however, it is till one of the more amazing castles I've seen from the outside.

View of Hohenschwangau from the road.

In 1832, King Maximillian acquired Hohenschwangau and restored it from it's sad, ruiny-self.  It was then used as a summer get-away for the Bavarian royal family... oh you fancy huh.

The interior of this castle was absolutely amazing complete with Renaissance-esk paintings on every wall; golden statues adorning the furniture; fancy beds, chairs, and chandeliers in each room; and secret passageways taboot.  

On the left is a 19th century version of a Lazy Boy and on the right is a small golden figurine hanging out on top of a fireplace in front of another incredible painting.  

Croutons anyone? 120 year old bread.

The ceiling... I'm a bit jealous.

The blue paint back in the day was crazy bright.  Also, the chair on the left has swans carved from the wooden armrests.  Swans were the symbolic animal of this family and literally in EVERY room multiple times.  Sid and I eventually started playing a rendition of "Where's Waldo" to see who could spot the most swans. 

The King's bedroom... obbbvviously since there are naked ladies on the walls.

View of the back courtyard from a hallway on the top floor.

Gotta say, there's something quite nice about seeing a painting of a knight helping a lady off her horse :) 

When we bought our tickets, we bought tours for both Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein... one at 10:15 and the next at 12:25... plenty of time to get both in and do a little extra wandering around!  We knew that NS was atop a pretty hefty hill and signs said that it would take 30 minutes from the town to trek up, but hey we're professional athletes right?  Well after checking out HS, we hung around the lake a bit and then saw a sign nearby that said the hike was actually 50 minutes.  Two big sweaty hot messes later we made it to Neuschwanstein with 5 minutes to spare before our tour.  BUT..we get to the gate, scan our ticket, and then see that it says 12:55.  Classic.  All the shoving of slow tourists and frizzed hair for nothing!  As they say in Germany, shiza!

  

Town at the bottom of the hill of Neuschwanstein.

On the bright side, that extra half hour gave us time to wander around and take in the view.  Snow had freshly fallen that night and the sun was out shining... couldn't have asked for a better day.

View from the path walking up to the castle... or sprinting/shuffling if you think you're almost going to be late!

View from the lower courtyard.

Lights going down the main hallway at the start of the tour.

A closer look at the pillars... Amazing detail all along the hallway (and the rest of the castle!). 

Both of these pictures were taken from the Throne Room, one of five finished rooms in the castle.  Ludwig II died before the rest could be completed. 

On our way up to the Marine Bridge that overlooks Neuschwanstein. 

View from the Marine Bridge.