Indian Chief Travel Guides

Sightseeing in Schwangau

Schloss Neuschwanstein

Schloss Neuschwanstein was the ultimate fantasy castle of Mad King Ludwig. It was built between 1869 and 1886 in the Historicist style. It was supposed to resemble a medieval knight’s castle and thus follows the Romanesque style to a large extent. It looks magical, high on a hill against an Alpine background. The briefest of glances tells you where Disney’s castle came from.

The interior, which can only be seen on a guided tour, mostly resemble scenes from Wagnerian operas such as Tannhäuser and Lohengrin. The Singers’ Hall is a smaller copy of the one in the Wartburg near Eisenach and its walls are decorated with scenes from Parzival. Only about 20 rooms are on view, as the castle was never completed. King Ludwig spent less than six months here.

Several routes lead to the top of the hill where Schloss Neuschwanstein is perched. The most interesting route goes up through the Pöllatschlucht (Pöllat Gorge). Others go more directly and are less strenuous. Walking up requires 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the route chosen. It is also possible to take a minibus or horse-drawn carriage to the top.

The best views of the castle are from the Marienbrücke (Mary Bridge), which is 148 ft above the Pöllat waterfall, and absolutely worth the 15-minute walk from the castle. (Note that the hike that continues on the far side of this bridge is beautiful, but it takes several hours.)

Schloss Hohenschwangau

Schloss Hohenschwangau, the other royal castle in Schwangau, was also built in a Historicist style but by Maximilian II in 1832-36. It is a Neo-Gothic building with wall paintings of German sagas. Ludwig spent happy childhood years here and was almost certainly influenced by what he saw on these walls. He also first met Richard Wagner here. The interior can only be seen on a guided tour, which generally is less fully booked than those for Neuschwanstein.