E26: Schloss Neuschwanstein 6 May

King Ludwig II’s Schloss Neuschwanstein is probably the most famous castle in the world and was the model for Walt Disney’s citadel.  It was designed as a romantic medieval castle by Ludwig in collaboration with a stage designer (as opposed to an architect!) and was Ludwig’s showpiece palace, in essence a giant stage on which to perform operatic works by Wagner.  

Perched on a rocky spur it is indeed straight out of a fairytale….

The front door!….

a view towards the Minstrels’ Hall (there should have been a chapel and an imposing keep in the courtyard but Ludwig died before it was built)….

back towards the entrance gate and lower courtyard….

where you can view the Marienbrucke which spans the Pollat Gorge….

and from the bridge you can look back towards the castle (Ludwig liked to stand here after dark watching the candle light radiating from the Minstrels Hall)….

On the way up to the Marienbrucke one is treated to this aspect of the castle….

complete with these entertaining chaps…. (Kate thinks the 3rd one from the right looks like me with a beard!)

from higher up the path can be seen Schloss Hohenschwanau where Ludwig spent his formative years….

his dad, Maximilian II rebuilt this palace from 12th century ruins in a neo-Gothic style….

Here we are on the Marienbrucke (Mary’s Bridge)….

Another aspect of the castle as seen from below (just an hour earlier the castle was hidden in the clouds and mountain mist)….