Neuschwanstein Castle

Miss Poland

Previously known as: New Hohenschwangau Castle

Where is the Neuschwanstein Castle located?

Importance

• Built for King Ludwig II also known as the “Fairy-tale King”

• Located in Bavaria (near the town of Fussen)• Ludwig only spent 11 nights in the castle• Most visited castle in Germany

– Every year over 1.3 million people crosses its gate– During the summer, around 6,000 people visit per

day

Have you seen this castle before?!

This fairytale look of the Neuschwanstein Castle inspired Walt Disney to create the Magic Kingdom

Interesting Facts

• Neuschwanstein means "New Swan Stone". The name of the castle derives from one of Richard Wagner's opera's character, the Swan Knight.

• The castle was built in the 19th century and served no

defensive purposes.

• Castle was built for King Ludwig II.

• Seven weeks after the death of King Ludwig II in 1886, Neuschwanstein was opened to the public.

More Interesting Facts• Designed by Christian Jank, a theatrical designer.

• Each floor in the castle has toilets with automatic flushing systems.

• Water comes from a spring.

• The whole castle has an air heating system.

• In 2012, the Neuschwanstein Castle will appear on a €2 commemorative coin.

Exterior

• The foundation is cemented and the walls are built of bricks with light-colored limestone.

• Ludwig II only ever saw his new castle as a building site, as he died before it was finished.

• There is a very beautiful inner garden in the courtyard.

Castle Tour:

• No photos will be allowed inside the castle.

• A ticket for the tour only costs €9 (approximately $ 14 .85 )

• A tour lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Lower Hall

• The walls in the lower hall have illustrations, sagas, songs, and sayings.

• Marble portals open into the Throne Room on the west side and the royal apartments on the opposite side.

Throne Hall

This room most resembles a church:– 4m high chandelier– 2 stories tall

There is no throne in the Castle, as Throne Hall was not completed before Ludwig's death.     

Dining Room• All of Ludgwig’s apartments

are entered through the anteroom on the third floor.

• In 1885, an electric bell system was installed so that the servants could be summoned from any other room.

• In this room, red silk with gold embroidery is used to decorate.

Bedroom

• King Ludwig II’s bedroom has a state bed and is decorated in blue silk with embroidered and appliquéd lions, swans, crowns, lilies and the Bavarian coat of arms.

• In this room, you will find a washstand, with a fountain in the form of a silver-plated swan.

It took 14 carpenters who worked for more than four years, to make all the woodwork in the bedroom.  

Oratory

• The oratory is beside the bedroom.

• The murals, glass windows and the middle picture on the altar feature Louis IX of France.

Dressing Room

• The dressing room is decorated with a garden theme.

• This room is decorated with violet silk with gold embroiderings of leaves, tendrils, and peacocks.

• This is the room in which the King stores his jewelry box.

Salon

• As in the bedroom, the curtains and coverings are made of blue silk and embroidered with swans and lilies.

• To stick with the swan theme, there is also a container for plants or flowers in the form of a large swan.

Grotto

• The Grotto is found between the salon and the study.

• An artificial dripstone cave which had colored lighting and a waterfall.

Study

• The king’s desk is the large table in the center of the room.

• The cupboard was used to store the castle plans and drafts of Neuschwanstein.

• Elaborate carvings cover the ceiling beams.

Anteroom (Adjutant Room)

• The anteroom is for the servant who would wait on the king at night.

• Includes: table, chairs, tiled stove, and a couch.

Kitchen

• The kitchen was equipped with the latest technology of the day.

• Kitchen has a large stove, a large and a small spit, a built-in roasting oven with a plate warmer, a baking oven, and a fish tank.

• Beside the kitchen is the pantry .

References

http://www.neuschwanstein.de/index.htm(Accessed on Feb. 21, 2011)

http://www.neuschwansteincastle.net/(Accessed on March 13, 2011)