Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle is located in southwestern Bavaria, Germany, on a rugged hill above the village of Schwangau. The Alps are nestled in the background, with Lake Alpsee and Swan Lake to the west, and smaller lakes such as Forggensee and the plains to the west. The palace, dedicated to the German composer, theater director, polemicist, and conductor Wilhelm Richard Wagner, was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, reflecting his passion for Wagner's operas. Originally intended as the king's private residence, Ludwig II chose to pay for the palace with his personal fortune and substantial loans, rather than using Bavarian public funds. Construction began in 1869, with the topping-out ceremony held in 1880. The king was able to move into the still-unfinished hall in 1884, and in 1885 he invited his mother to Neuschwanstein Castle for his 60th birthday. As a palace of friendship, the king originally planned for Wagner to live and work there, but he died on February 13, 1883, before construction was completed. Neuschwanstein Castle was not fully completed until Ludwig II's death in 1886. Even in the 21st century, Neuschwanstein Castle appears to have been under constant renovation. A visit in early 2020 finally revealed no scaffolding. Shortly after the king's death, the castle opened to the public. Since then, over 61 million people from around the world have visited Neuschwanstein Castle. It now attracts over 1.3 million visitors annually, with up to 6,000 per day in summer. Marienbrücke, not far from the palace, offers one of the best panoramic views of Neuschwanstein Castle, but the bridge is closed in winter. #GreenTourism #GermanyTravel #NeuschwansteinCastle #Bavaria #deutschland #bavaria #neuschwanstein #alps