GERMANY - Neuschwanstein Castle

NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE (Schwangau)
This storybook-like castle was built by King Ludwig II in 1868. He wrote that he wanted it built on a rocky precipice, as if heavenly and he wanted it to appear unapproachable. Unapproachable is right. From the parking lot, it is a steep, 1/2-mile climb, but definitely worth the effort. The castle is one of the grandest and most visited in all of Europe. Incidentally, it was also the inspiration for Walt Disney's quintessential fairy-tale castle. Sadly, King Ludwig II never saw his castle completed. In fact, the building of Neuschwanstein Castle and of a few others raised some eyebrows as to the king's state of mind. On June 8, 1886, he was certified insane and deposed. Five days later, he was found dead floating in a lake. Was it murder, suicide or an accident? No one knows for sure. What is known is that Bavarians to this day still love Ludwig II, the dreamer king who built a castle in the sky. Hours: Daily April-Sept., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Oct -March, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets: Tickets are obtainable only at the ticket center in Hohenschwangau: April-September: 8 am-5 pm October-March: 9 am-3 pm Tickets can also be booked in advance at the ticket center for an additional charge: Ticket service Neuschwanstein, Alpseestr. 12, 87645 Hohenschwangau tel (0 83 62) 9 30 83-0, fax (0 83 62) 9 30 83-20 www.ticket-center-hohenschwangau.de Guided tours Guided tours (ca. 30 mins) in German and English. Audio guide tours in eleven languages. Admission charges: 9 euros regular, 8 euros reduced Combination ticket Neuschwanstein Castle / Hohenschwangau Castle: 17 euros regular, 15 euros reduced