Hi everyone! I am back! Don’t worry, I haven’t been hibernating due to the London winter. What I have been doing is visiting the castle most famous for inspiring Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disney land!
The real life Sleeping Beauty Castle is called Neuschwanstein Castle and was owned by the “fairy tale” King Ludwig II. If you feel like visiting the birth place of a real life fairy tale, drive 1.5 hours from Munich and you will see this magnificent Castle.
King Ludwig II was a dreamer and just like Disney himself, he wanted to create a magical kingdom of his own. He was a loner and some say that he built parts of these Castles as a way to escape the outside world. The King spent just over 20 years building the Neuschwanstein Castle and by the time of his mysterious death in 1886, the Castle was only one-third complete.
A Man of Magical Mystery
When we arrived at King Ludwig’s fairy tale castle, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. The Castle overlooks quite a picturesque village with such ornate architecture that you feel almost compelled to jump onto a horse-drawn-carriage to take you to the ball (before it turns into a pumpkin at the strike of midnight).
We took a mini bus instead and found the bridge that would give us the best view of the Castle. Perched high upon a cliff side and covered with snow was the most beautiful Castle I have ever laid eyes on. The snow was lightly falling around us and as we looked down, we could see the forest and river below us. This is what fairy tales are made of!
Neuschwanstein Castle – the castle of the fairy tale King Ludwig II
The Neuschwanstein Castle was even more fascinating inside as it was outside. Our guide took us through halls that were far advanced for its time, almost neo-romantic in design and absolutely magical in every way. Then we were taken through rooms that were gilded with gold and gave you a glimpse of the King’s personality. The King’s room had carvings so delicate and ornate that parts of his room exuded thoughts of an enchanted forest. Large paintings of the Tristan and Isolde (the tragic story of two lovers who could never be together) evidenced King Ludwig’s love for love itself. This could explain the rumours about the King’s unrequited love for Empress Elizabeth Sisi (Queen of Austria), who was married to King Franz Joseph I. In fact, rumour has it that this is why he broke off his engagement to Princess Sophie of Bavaria, who was also Elizabeth’s sister. The King never married and nearing the end of his reign, was known as the mad King.
I truly believe that he was mad but not in a bad way – I think he was a genius! Once we walked through to his music room there were frescos that reminded me of my favourite fairy tales and Disney movies. One of my favourite frescos was the painting of an Angel whose leg gradually turned 3D as it jutted out of the corner, almost as if breaking through the 2D realm and into the 3D realm. There was a music room that resembled a small grotto and rooms with unicorns and dancing monkeys jutting out of the corners. The King had imagination that’s for sure!
Was King Ludwig II pure mad or pure genius? Tell me why below!
Other interesting reads:
- Disney Castle in Paris (blog post)
- Neuschwanstein Castle (blog post)
- If you want to read more about Vienna, the home of Empress Elisabeth, click my blog post here
Isn’t the castle interesting. Did you walk up or ride the carriage. We rode as it was snowing and cold. Looked like it was for you also. Here is my visit : http://the-tin-man.com/?s=neuschwanstein Wasn’t the grotto room interesting!
We took the mini bus and then walked up from the bridge. It was too cold to walk but in summer I think it would have been a nice walk. The grotto room was very interesting indeed! Very random too
Did you get to go to Linderhof? If not here is my post. Ludwigs home was so beautiful also! http://the-tin-man.com/2012/02/11/linderhof-residence-of-king-ludwig-ii/
I did get to go to Linderhof which was also beautiful. I will talk about it in my next post
A beautiful castle, I didn’t know about this one and that it was Walt Disney’s inspiration for the Magic Kingdom’s castle. Thank you for the great photos and history lesson Christine!
You’re welcome, I am glad that you enjoyed the post! I was inspired to go to this Castle after someone recommended it and when I actually visited the Castle, I could see why Walt Disney was so inspired
Love your ear muffs, Christine.
Thanks, it was sub zero temperature so they kept me warm
You just combined two of my favorite things!!! Travel in Europe and Disney! I love this blog!
Thanks! They are two of my favourite things too!
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Even though it was cold, you had great weather to visit the castle…it truly is a sight to see. We were there in October and the town and castle were totally encased in fog so no wonderful photos. I’m glad we had seen it before in good weather.
Yeah we were lucky with the weather that day. It was even snowing slightly which gave a nice effect. I’m glad that you were able to see it in good weather too!
Oh had always wanted to go. Got close but never made it, looks amazing!
Hi – It’s more amazing in real life. I hope that you make it there some day
Hi Christine! Looks like you’re at a magical place once again. I have yet to step food in Europe so reading about your adventures with the hubby is quite a treat! I am intrigued by that painting of an angel. I hope to visit someday in the near future…when I’m done with school, I suppose. Tim and I are don’t have many memories of traveling together, and so I hope this changes…before we are grey and weak.
Hi Min, there’s plenty of time to travel with Tim
My husband and didn’t start traveling together until years after we finished university and that was the first time he even applied for a passport. Hopefully you guys get to see the Castle some day. I think you’ll really enjoy it! Take care.
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Gorgeous photos! I think anyone who made such a beautiful castle was definitely a genius, not mad. I had never even heard of this castle and had no idea it was the inspiration for the Disney castle.
There’s a old villa in my town (in Sicily) built by a count who was mad – at least, some said he was mad and some said he was an artistic genius – a similar situation to Ludwig I suppose. His villa is full of the most amazing sculptures imaginable and apparently generations of European aristocrats have been freaked out by it!
I posted a few photos here if you’re interested:
http://siciliangodmother.wordpress.com/2012/09/22/the-villa-of-the-monsters-in-bagheria/
I didn’t know it was inspiration for the Disney Castle too until I was told about it. It’s amazing how much you learn when you travel
I just looked at your post of the old villa, it looks beautiful! I hope to visit there some day when I finally make it to Sicily – one of the only areas of Italy that I have not visited.