10 interesting facts about Neuschwanstein Castle

The Neuschwanstein Castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1867. He brought in Eduard Riedel, who designed most of the castle, as per the king's demands. Christian Jank was another architect, who laid out the initial plan for Neuschwanstein. The castle's construction began in 1869.

The architecture of Neuschwanstein Castle cannot be traced back to a single period. Primarily, the castle is built as per Romanesque Revival techniques. Its thick walls and rounded arches are reminiscent of the Romanesque style. However, its towering turrets and pointing spires are Gothic while the colorful murals and mosaic are from the Byzantine period.

The Neuschwanstein Castle's fairytale-like structure, towering turrets, and picturesque surroundings inspired Disney to create another enchanting 'Sleeping Beauty' castle in their Disneyland. This castle was also featured in their logos from 1985 to 2006. This is why Neuschwanstein is known as the 'Disney Castle of Munich'.

A Swan Knight appears in Richard Wagner's Lohengrin, which is referenced in several walls and arches inside Neuschwanstein Castle. The opera tells the story of a mysterious knight who arrives in a boat pulled by a swan to defend Elsa, a noblewoman falsely accused of murder. King Ludwig II had been inspired by these Wagnerian operas, hence, you can notice swan motifs throughout the castle.

The Neuschwanstein Castle was far ahead of its time, not only for its innovative engineering techniques but also for its artificial cave system and hidden telephone system. Inside Neuschwanstein, Ludwig II enabled the construction of a grotto, complete with cascading waterfalls as a private escape from courtly duties. He also enlisted architects to connect the kitchen to other areas within the castle, one of the earliest systems mirroring a modern-day telephone network.

King Ludwig II passed away on 13th June 1886. Due to his untimely passing and financial constraints, the castle was left incomplete. Later on, the Bavarian Parliament renovated sections within the castle to maintain its structural integrity, however, no additions to its interiors were made. Even the Throne Room is kept without a throne.

The Neuschwanstein Castle was built as a private retreat for King Ludwig II. The castle was also constructed to reflect his love and passion for Wagnerian operas and German Romanticism.

The Neuschwanstein Castle was one of the few castles, which were unharmed during World War II. However, it was used as a storage facility for the Nazis around 1933. After the Allied Forces took control of the territory, these troops were evicted from the castle around 1945.

One is not allowed to film inside Neuschwanstein Castle to ensure its historical structure is preserved. However, the castle's exterior has been featured in several films like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1963) and The Great Escape (1968).

While not a modern smartphone, Neuschwanstein boasted an early form of communication technology in the late 19th century. King Ludwig II had a system connecting him to the castle kitchen and other locations. This network of bells and speaking tubes was a marvel for its time and allowed the king to efficiently communicate within the vast castle.

The Neuschwanstein Castle was built to indulge the artistic passion and interests of King Ludwig II. While never used for an actual court, the Throne Room evokes a Byzantine church with its vaulted ceilings and mosaics. The king's bedroom's swan motifs pay homage to Wagner's Lohengrin.

Yes, depending on the kind of Neuschwanstein Castle tickets you purchase, you can tour the inside of the palace as well as its grounds. Consider booking premium guided tours for priority access to the castle.