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76 EUROPE Neuschwanstein Castle
Set amid magnificent mountain scenery on the shores of the
Schwansee (Swan Lake), the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle
was built in 1869-91 for the eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig II,
to a plan by the theater designer Christian Jank. On deciding
~Throne Room
to build this imposing residence, the king had undoubtedly been
The gilded interior of the
throne room is reminiscent inspired by Wartburg Castle in Thuringia, which he visited in 1867.
of Byzantine temples and the
palace church of All Saints But Neuschwanstein is no ordinary castle-behind the pale gray
in the Residence in Munich. granite exterior, which combines a variety of styles, the interior is
equipped with several late 19th-century technological innovations.
THE SWAN MOTIF
Ludwig was fascinated by swans (hence
his early identification with Lohengrin, the
Knight of the Swan), not only as a symbol
of purity, but also because he regarded
himself as successor to the Lords of
Schwangau, whose heraldic beast was
the swan. Unsurprisingly, the swan motif
dominates the castle's interior decor.
Kemenate Knight's Hall
Completed after Ludwig's This three-story structure
death, the so-called connects the gatehouse
women's apartments with the main building; it
was intended to house
state and service rooms.
~ Dining Room
LUDWIG'S CHILDHOOD HOME
In 1832, Ludwig's father bought Arcades
the remains of a 12th-century
fortress In the Bavarian village Two-story arcades
surround the castle.
ot Schwangau. He rebuilt it in
Nee-Gothic style (Gotlic Style, ~Courtyard
see p.54} as Hohenschwangau
Castle. As a child, Ludwig was Gatehouse
captivated by its frescoes, Completed in 1872. this served
which depict various legends. as temporary accommodation
for the king. He had an
Hohenschwangau Castle apartment on the second floor.
