Surely, in the fairy tales of your childhood, you've encountered images of magnificent and splendid castles more than once. In southern Germany, one can witness a real castle hidden amidst vast and picturesque natural scenery. Beyond its magnificent appearance, it also holds a poignant historical story about a sensitive and dreamy king from nearly 200 years ago.

Dreamer or Mad King of Bavaria?

Growing up in a prestigious royal family, King Ludwig II spent his childhood at Hohenschwangau Castle in southern Bavaria, Germany. Hundreds of medieval-inspired frescoes, intricately woven tapestries, and Neo-Gothic architecture nurtured a passion for beauty and art within the young prince.

Upon ascending the throne in 1864 at the age of 18, Ludwig II possessed all the qualities one might imagine in a young monarch from fairy tales: a handsome, charming appearance, a romantic soul, and an open heart towards his people. However, his dreaminess led him far beyond the responsibilities of a ruler. Ludwig showed little interest in managing the country's economy or diplomatic affairs, and frequently missed important meetings. Instead, he devoted himself entirely to exquisite but incredibly expensive artistic projects. One of these was Neuschwanstein Castle – Ludwig's greatest lifelong dream.

Neuschwanstein is a colossal structure nestled among hills, offering panoramic views of rolling mountains, verdant meadows, mystical forests, and picturesque lakes. Unsurprisingly, its construction was enormous. However, contrary to popular belief, King Ludwig did not use national funds to fuel his extravagant passion. Instead, he used his entire personal fortune and resorted to massive, high-interest loans. Ignoring the advice of his royal advisors, he relentlessly pursued his monumental project at all costs. Because of this determination, Ludwig was considered a madman obsessed with beauty, and therefore unfit to rule.

Furthermore, many reports indicate that, in the final days of his life, he was arrested and forced to receive treatment in a psychiatric institution with a private physician. His death in 1886 is also a mystery and a subject of much debate. He was found at the bottom of Lake Stanberg, and the conclusion was that he drowned by suicide.

Fairytale castle and unfulfilled dream

King Ludwig II's childhood was heavily influenced by the strict upbringing and rigorous standards of the royal family. He found neither comfort nor empathy within his own family. Perhaps this was one of the reasons the king was determined to build a world of his own – a place where his sensitive soul, love of freedom, and appreciation of beauty could be fulfilled.

Neuschwanstein Castle is the embodiment of all those desires. Nestled in isolation on a picturesque hilltop amidst the Bavarian mountains, with its striking conical spires and white limestone facade, the castle appears shrouded in mist like a mystical little kingdom from childhood tales. Its height, hundreds of meters above the ground, offers breathtaking views of distant mountains, a tranquil, crystal-clear lake, lush green forests, and the vast, open sky stretching out before you.

That grandeur also revealed a magnificent and splendid kingdom with elaborately decorated rooms, gold-plated ceilings, an exquisite collection of mosaics, colossal paintings, a hall dedicated to music, and a vast courtyard where the king could comfortably enjoy the fresh air of the surrounding mountains and forests.

With a vision that was both romantic and modern, King Ludwig II was determined to create a harmonious blend of medieval architecture with modern technological amenities. These included flush toilets, a hot water system for the kitchen and bathrooms, central heating, elevators for transporting food, telephones, and more. These technologies were considered the most advanced of their time in the 19th century.

Initially, King Ludwig intended to dedicate three years to the entire construction of this ambitious project. However, the complex design and the hilltop location proved difficult to transport and construct. As a result, after five years of construction, only the gateway castle was completed. Technical details were added nearly five years later, but until King Ludwig II's death in 1886, his fairytale castle remained unfinished.

Despite its unfinished interior, Neuschwanchen has become one of Germany's most prominent tourist attractions, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors annually. It also served as a major inspiration for the castle in Disney's "Sleeping Beauty."

Hundreds of years have passed in the blink of an eye, yet Neuschwanstein still stands majestically amidst lush greenery as it rightfully belongs, silently observing the changes and vicissitudes of time. The story of King Ludwig II continues to captivate lovers of beauty, and with each step through the ancient castle, one feels a haunting longing and the lingering yearning of a beautiful dream yet to be fulfilled.

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