One of the major attractions for tourists visiting Europe is its rich and vast collection of castles, that are scattered across the continent and span the ages. It is estimated there are over 150,000 castles, with the majority located in Italy, France and Ireland.
Germany also boasts a vast collection, with some 25,000 spread out across its territory. Perhaps its most magnificent castle is Neuschwanstein, located at the southern end of the Romantic Road just outside the village of Schwangau. The castle was named one of the most beautiful in Europe by Conde Nast in 2022, as well by many of its visitors. One who took to TripAdvisor after heading there said: “Beautiful castle, a pearl set in the mountains. Furniture completely original, well preserved. Highly recommended, gorgeous both inside and out.”
Nestled in the Bavarian Alps at the top of a rugged hill, the castle was commissioned by “mad king” Ludwig II in 1868, and was completed in 1892.
It was built as an ode to his favourite composer, Richard Wagner, and its design was based on sketches by Christian Jank, a stage painter who worked for the famous musician.
Neuschwanstein’s unique architecture features grand turrets, towers, and spires – and famously is said to have been the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
There are over 200 rooms inside, including a spectacular Throne Room, a bedroom, a study, and an artificial cave.
Its interiors are lavishly decorated with wood carvings, frescoes, and elaborate tapestries.
No expense was spared by the Bavarian monarch as he sought to turn his fantasies into reality.
Ludwig shelved out a whopping 6.2 million German gold marks – roughly the equivalent of £42 million in today’s money.
He refused to use public funds to pay for its construction, and instead accumulated a massive debt that threatened to bankrupt not only him, but the state of Bavaria.
His ministers and relatives declared him insane and incapable of ruling, whereupon he was arrested and taken to Berg Castle on Lake Starnberg.
A few days later he died in mysterious circumstances, adding more intrigue to the story.
Today, the castle is rumoured to be haunted by his ghost, which has been seen wandering around the halls inside.
However, visitors have not been deterred by stories of Ludwig’s ghost, with more than 1.4 million flocking to the castle each year.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
