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Neuschwanstein |
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| In 1869 King Ludwig II of Bavaria had construction begin on the mighty castle.. |
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| Undoubtedly Germany's most famous castle, Neuschwanstein is know for its romantic beauty and Fairy tale appearance. It is the model for the Cinderella castle in Disney World. |
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Towards the end of the days of kings and queens, there was a young king by the name of Ludwig. As King of Bavaria, Ludwig II was witness to the rapidly changing political make-up in Germany. Parlaments were popping up and the king saw his ruling power (and importance) quickly dwindling. After a time, he decided that he was of no real importance to Bavaria, except as a figure-head.
Upon this realization, he secluded himself near his childhood home of Hohenschwangau.There he put his money (which was actually the state's money) into the construction of his own world. He started Neuschwanstein in 1869. In 1874, he began constructing Linderhof, in 1878 Herrenchiemsee was started and plans were drawn fo yet another castle (Schloss Falkenstein) in 1885.
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As one can surely believe, this was extremely costly, and the importance of having a royal castle in the late 1800's was in doubt. The King, and thus, the Kingdom of Bavaria slipped deeper and deeper into debt.
The government sought to remove the king from his throne, but there were only two ways for this to happen. the King could voluntarily abdicate (which no one dared ask him) or he could be declared unfit to remain as king.
On June 8, 1886, Dr. von Gudden made a contraversial declaration that Ludwig was insane and not fit to be king. Little did one know, that the king may have abdicated, had he been so asked.
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On June 10, an attempt was made to capture the king, and the citizens of the twon of Schwangau prevented this coup. The government later succeeded on June 12. They took the king to Schloss "Berg" on Lake Starnberg.
The following day, tragedy struck. Ludwig and Dr. von Gudden went for an evening walk along the lake. They did not return alive. Rumors of a struggle have been heard, but the official word is that there was a murder suicide. Ludwig killed the doctor and then turned on himself. This is one of many theories, but the most widely accepted. |
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Construction on Neuschwanstein continued, despite the King's death. In 1890 the castle was a third complete when the money ran out. Construction halted with the castle in it's present state.
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Ludwig was born in Hohenschwangau. A castle that overlooks Neuschwanstein and the small towns of Fuessen and Schwangau. |
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Despite its beauty, castle enthusiasts regard Neuschwanstein as "Kitsch" and call it artificial. |
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Source: Royal Castle Neuschwanstein, The King adn his Castle. Wilhelm Kienberger GmbH, 1992 |
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