Neuschwanstein Castle

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, and is one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations.

The foundation stone of the building was laid September 5, 1869. Neuschwanstein was designed by Christian Jank, a theatrical set designer, rather than an architect, which says much regarding Ludwig's intentions and explains much of the fantastical nature of the resulting building. The architectural expertise, vital to such a perilously-sited building, was provided first by the Munich court architect, Eduard Riedel, and latterly by Georg Dollman and Leo Von Klenze.

The castle was originally called "New Hohenschwangau Castle" until the king's death, when it was re-named Neuschwanstein, the castle of the Swan Knight, Lohengrin, of Wagner's opera of the same name. In origin, the castle has been the Schwanstein, the seat of the knights of Schwangau, whose emblem had been the swan.

Admission charges and tickets

Entrance tickets can be bought at the ticket centre in the village of Hohenschwangau below the castle.

Ticketcenter Neuschwanstein - Hohenschwangau
Alpseestr. 12, 87645 Hohenschwangau
Telephone +49 - (0) 83 62 - 9 30 83 - 0,
Fax +49 - (0) 83 62 - 9 30 83 - 20
Internet: www.ticket-center-hohenschwangau.de

Neuschwanstein webcam - Latest 7 pictures

Near Neuschwanstein Castle

• The Romantic Road ("Romantische Straße" in German) is a popular tourist route through historical towns in southern Germany, from Würzburg to Füssen.
• Füssen (Fuessen) is an enchanting village in Bavaria, Germany known for the Neuschwanstein castle. Most visitors come to tour the castles and leave immediately afterwards leaving the beautiful little village unexplored.
• Reutte is a small city in Tirol, Austria, just south of the German border. Reutte is a charming place away from the main tourist crowds of Fussen. Expect to see sheep, cows and alpaca in the fields surrounding the city.
• The Ehrenberg castle ruins (three/four different castle ruins) provide a contrast to the highly touristed Konigschlossen.
• Tegelberg: A ski area, but in the summer you can take the lift to the top. Enjoy the view, hike some trails and stop by one of the little restaurants.
• Via Claudia: Füssen is on the Via Claudia — the old roman road from Donauwörth over the alps to Venice. You can travel the Via Claudia (or parts of) it by bike.
• Falkenstein: Another castle, this one is a ruin, a short distance from Füssen, near Pfronten. There is a great hotel and restaurant nearby, but driving there is a bit tricky.
• Konigsee - the deepest lake in the alps.
• Swim in the public lakes: Alpsee, Obersee, Mittlerersee, Alatsee

Swabia (German: Schwaben) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the south-west of Bavaria.

Bavaria (German, Bayern) is the largest federal state of Germany, situated in the south-east of the country, and extends from the North German Plain down into the Alps. Bavaria is what many non-Germans probably have in mind when they think about Germany. The stereotype includes Lederhosen (leather pants), sausages and lots of beer - Bavaria, however, has much more to offer to the traveller.

Neuschwanstein Castle (Bavaria) - Cam  English ¦ Deutsch ¦ Español ¦ Français ¦ Português ¦ Svenska ¦ Italiano ¦ Nederlands