[27] Fairy Castles and Kings in Bavaria

Neuschwanstein seen from Mary's Bridge
see all photos »

[27]

We’ve been "off the air" for a couple days because we had to internet access. After a few wild days at the Oktoberfest, we all boarded a train for the mountains south of Munich. We wanted to show the girls a little something of the surrounding country in Bavaria and maybe a castle or two. The train took us to Fussen, then we went up the road about 2 km to the tiny town of Schwangau where we stayed in a lovely guesthouse/restaurant. This is the Bavaria of green meadows and golden cows – and Crazy Ludwig.

The Neuschwanstein tour alone had over 300 steps!

Can you see the girls on the castle wall?
see all photos »

Ludwig II of Bavaria became king at the age of 19 in 1864. He grew up in his parents’ castle Hohenschwangau just above the village where we stayed. Apparently, the unmarried king (he broke off an engagement to a princess just months before the wedding) lost interest in politics and governing after losing a war with Prussia. He became increasingly "eccentric," caring only for the theater and music. He was entranced by Richard Wagner and his operas which is in evidence at Neuschwanstein. As he grew older, we built lavish castles for himself that bankrupt the country. He watched the construction of Neuschwanstein from his living room window at Hohenschwangau. It looks familiar to us because it is the model Walt Disney used when he designed Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disneyland. Inside it is only 30% finished and he lived there only 140 (or 179 depending on the guide) days before he was declared insane in 1886 and taken away. A few days later he and his physician were found drowned in the Starnberger See. It has never been determined if it was an accident or assassination. What we have left are the castles and they are magnificent.

Looking down on Hohenschwangau from Neuschwanstein
see all photos »

There is not much more to say, the pictures tell the story. After three days of drizzle, the sun came out and gave us the most beautiful sky we’d seen all week. A perfect day for an alpine walk and climb. And it was a climb, even inside the castles. But we made it, REB often finishing ahead of me and the girls.

We've planned a big day for Sunday, the girls' last day. More on that later. Our love to all,

-30-