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There are castles...and then there is Neuschwanstein. Bavaria, Germany is home to the quintessential storybook castle called Neuschwanstein. This castle was so utterly perfect, even Walt Disney noticed. He used this castle, with its climbing spires and turrets, as his primary inspiration for Cinderella's castle at Disneyland. It's no wonder.
In castle terms, Neuschwanstein is young. The castle was constructed between 1869 and 1886, on a peak overlooking the dense green forests of Bavaria. The entire region abounds with nature's finest clear lakes and mountains.
The man behind the castle was King Ludwig II. In many ways, the castle mirrors the personality of it's eccentric creator. His strange behavior still provokes heated discussions among local people. Historians may call him "Mad King Ludwig" but others feel the label "eccentric" is a more fitting title.
Ludwig cared little for the duties of royalty, preferring to retreat into isolation. He found escape in the mountains. It was said he held imaginary talks with Madame de Pompadour and brought his horse to dine at the dinner table. Building dreamlike, romantic castles was his passion. His other great loves were history and opera, in particular the works of Richard Wagner.
Regardless of his highly unusual ways, there can be no doubt he chose the right location for Neuschwanstein.
The interior of Ludwig's castles reflect his delve into fantasy. Nothing is used sparingly; colors are bold and brassy. Every inch of space is painted, carved or decorated in some fashion. Consistency of style was never at issue. Gothic, Moorish and Romanesque are all used. The major part of the interior paintings represent motifs which also served as themes for Wagner's operas.
The centerpiece of the castle is the throne room. Modeled after a Byzantine basilica, it's set off by an enormous gilded brass chandelier of 96 candles. Frescoes done in vivid colors, Ludwig favored blue, along with rich greens and reds. The irony here is Ludwig never used the room. An empty space at the top of the Carrara marble steps--where the King's throne was to have been placed, is empty. When Ludwig died, all work stopped and the throne exists only as a blueprint.
The name Neuschwanstein means "new swan rock" and swans are another reoccurring theme throughout the castle. The swan was the King's favorite animal. They are found in everything from woodwork to fixtures in all shapes and sizes.
Unfortunately, the King's masterpiece was never finished. Fifteen of the sixty-five rooms were completed, as well as the exterior.
By 1886, Ludwig was faced with the pressures of heavy debt and public criticism. Without money to build castles, he was miserable. To make matter worse, his family and other politicians were conspiring to have him deposed. It proved more than he could bare. Ludwig most likely committed suicide. He, along with his physician were found drowned. Some believe he was murdered. Others think he might have had a heart attack while attempting to escape across the water.
King Ludwig would surely be pleased to know his castle continues to be admired and appreciated. Though his life was brief, his legacy lives on.
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