Neuschwanstein: My Castle

Seeing the album of my friend/officemate, Zann, makes me want to go there again.

The first time I saw this castle, I fell inlove and said to myself, "I must go there on my first trip, come what may."

Ok short introduction of Neuschwanstein.

a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner. Contrary to common belief, Ludwig paid for the palace out of his personal fortune and extensive borrowing, not with Bavarian public funds (see below).

The palace was intended as a personal refuge for the reclusive king, but it was opened to the paying public immediately after his death in 1886.[1] Since then over 60 million people have visited Neuschwanstein Castle.[2] More than 1.3 million people visit annually, with up to 6,000 per day in the summer.[3] The palace has appeared prominently in several movies and was the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle[4] and later, similar structures.

Finally, last Dec 11, 2010, inspite of just Me and Tan Yin(my singapore colleague) and bad weather due to heavy snow fall, we still went to Neuschwanstein.

When we reached the foot of the hill where the castle is, my heart was filled with so much joy and wish Bert, closed friends and family were there with me on that moment. ok eksag much lang!

Although the road were slippery and wet and the surroundings were covered with snow, we didn't care. We still walk going uphill and amazed when we reached the top.

Too bad the best spot to see the castle is closed due to thick snow and only experts and professionals are allowed. This is the view from the bridge but this pic was taken two months ago. Summer time.

King Ludwig really had chosen the perfect location for his castle. This castle can be viewed from his window in the Royal Palace called Hohenscwhangau, the yellow figure on the left. During sunset it's as if in the spotlight and at night becomes the only lighted thing in the hill. Not to mention the breathtaking view from the castle.

But the interior of the castle is not that impressive compared to King Ludwig's palace. Maybe because it is unfinished.

Oh by the way Neuschwanstein comes from the words: Neu Schwan Stein which means New Swan Stone. So you can actually see swans figures around these area.