Bavaria is famous throughout the world for its beer, cars and... castles.
Over the past few months, hitherto unknown Germany has somehow been trying more and more to attract attention.
Moreover, she does this as if “by accident”, simply finding herself in the way. It all started with an unplanned visit to Dusseldorf, which was formed due to the gap between two flights on the way from Moscow to London, and the impressions then turned out to be very interesting.
The second acquaintance can also hardly be called conscious. The case began in the Czech Republic, where during the New Year holidays, in order not to sit in one place for two weeks, I had to visit one of the many excursion bureaus in Karlovy Vary. After thorough study huge list excursions it turned out that the most interesting routes go in a western direction, where the border with Germany is fifty kilometers away.
Germany penetrates consciousness, albeit somewhat cunningly, but far from unsuccessfully. If earlier this country did not arouse any special interest - somehow there was no particular exoticism in it, now sympathies are growing more and more. In addition to advanced modernity, this part of Europe has a very rich and interesting past, well-preserved traces of which are scattered throughout the country in the form of castles, fortresses and even entire preserved cities, and the excellent German tourist infrastructure allows you not only to get to know all this good stuff well, but also choose the methods of this acquaintance to your liking. To complete the portrait of this country, let’s add others to all of the above. Interesting Facts: developed cruise shipping, excellent cuisine, relative proximity to Russia - and you can safely include Germany in the list of target sites for the coming years.
As I said above, in New Year holidays I managed to visit several places in Germany at once and they were all located in the southernmost part of the country - Bavaria. Historically, Bavaria was and is now the most developed and rich of all regions of Germany - the level of industry and Agriculture achieved great success here. And if we take into account the latest rumors that Germany, in general, “feeds” the whole of Europe, then it is simply impossible to question the coolness of Bavaria.
During the New Year holidays I managed to visit several Bavarian cities at once: Munich, Nuremberg and Bamberg, and also visited two historical castle, located south of Munich, almost on the border with Austria at the foot of the Alps. Having violated the idea that the most delicious things should be left for “later,” I’ll probably start my stories about Germany with them.
So, the castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein are magnificent creations of architecture, created according to the plans of the Bavarian kings for the usual, one might say, everyday purpose - to live in them.
The area in which the two castles are located is located at the very foot of the Alps. It is interesting that the steep cliffs begin completely abruptly and unexpectedly, as if the Alps were specially brought and placed on this plain. In addition to the mountains, nature has endowed these places with numerous lakes, which are (mainly in the summer) a popular vacation spot for Germans. 
The first castle - Hohenschwangau (literally: "High Swan Land") has a long and ornate history. 
Since the 13th century, the ancient Schwanstein castle, owned by the knights of the local Schwangau family, stood on this site. Two hundred years later, the line of knights ceased to exist, and the castle, which changed hands several times, finally turned into ruins after the war with Napoleon. 
The modern history of the building begins in 1832, when the future next Bavarian king Maximilian II, seeing the romantic ruins and the lakes surrounding them, was captivated by the beauty of the place and decided to purchase the remains of the castle, restore it and make it his summer residence in the Alps. 
Five years later, the local picturesque landscape was decorated with a castle-palace surrounded by a stone wall with decorative defensive towers, several pointed turrets and balconies.
In contrast to the gloomy gray fortresses of the past, it was painted a cheerful yellow, standing out as a bright spot against the surrounding greenery. 
The swan again became the symbol of the castle. The swan was previously on the coat of arms of the counts of Schwangau. Hohenschwangau Castle has survived to this day in its original form and with its original furnishings. 
Today the castle still belongs to the members Royal House Bavaria - the Wittelsbach family. Since 1913, it has the status of a museum and is open to the public. 
King Maximilian II had an excellent European education and became one of Europe's most brilliant monarchs, turning Munich into one of the most beautiful European cities. He contributed to the development of science and art in his native Bavaria. Hohenschwangau became the official summer and hunting residence of Maximilian II. 
After Maximilian's death, his son, Ludwig II, ascended the throne at the age of 18, who went down in history as the “fairy-tale king” thanks to the castles he built. Outwardly he was very handsome, slender and tall. All of Bavaria greeted the young king with delight. But for Ludwig, who grew up surrounded by knightly legends and swans, the first place was not the kingdom, but Wagner’s music. The romantic and impressionable king dreamed of building castles in the Alps that would embody the character of the music of his favorite composer. 
Ludwig built the castles of Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herenkimsee, although in general he planned to create about a dozen similar structures.
Unlike his father, Ludwig failed to leave a noticeable mark on the history of Bavaria, but he definitely succeeded in architecture. Conceived in the king's childhood fantasies and implemented over 17 years, the project Neuschwanstein Castle (literally: "New Swan Rock") has become one of the most magnificent castles in the world. 
Like Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein stands on the site of ancient fortresses. However, Ludwig’s plan was so large-scale that the space available on the rock was not enough, and the necessary space was obtained only as a result of blasting, which somewhat reduced the height of the rock, but expanded the construction site. 
Over the past years, the castle has been undergoing phased reconstruction, so, unfortunately, there is now practically no opportunity to capture it entirely in its natural form. 
You can try to feel the full scale and beauty of the Neuschwanstein building in the numerous postcards, photographs and paintings sold in huge quantities around the site. 
Judging by these artistic materials, the best and most accessible general view of the castle is from the Marienbrücke bridge, located a few hundred meters from the castle. 
In winter, the bridge is officially closed, since the path to it runs along the edge of the gorge and is quite dangerous for walking on ice and snow. Particularly desperate tourists still find their way onto this path, bypassing all sorts of designated prohibitions and established fences.
Neuschwanstein was built based on Ludwig's constantly changing dreams, so the resulting structure is difficult to attribute to any one style. The main gate, for example, stands out very much from the image of the entire castle, including its color. 
Due to the fact that it was the second half of the 19th century, technology had already begun to come to the aid of builders. A huge amount of building material was lifted from the western side of the building in trolleys using a steam-powered crane. They were delivered and installed in the right place using a special lifting block system. It was simply impossible to build something like this in a rather inaccessible place without technology. 
The main part of the construction of Neuschwanstein was completed in 1884 and in the same year Ludwig moved into his new creation. 
But Ludwig lived in the new castle for only two years. Unfortunately, the king’s beautiful occupation had the worst possible impact on the life of the previously rich Bavaria and, in fact, destroyed him. The country was constantly drawn into European squabbles, but the young king had neither diplomatic talents nor business acumen. There was not enough money in the treasury and debts were growing rapidly. However, Ludwig did not care - he took out loans and continued to ruin the treasury. From a handsome prince, who was enthusiastically welcomed by all of Bavaria, he turned into a closed and sad king, a romantic and a spender, a builder of fantastic castles.
The greatly concerned government demanded a medical report from doctors on the king's state of health. Of course, no one dared to examine him personally. But the famous and respected psychiatrist Dr. Goodden made his conclusion based on testimony. Ludwig was declared insane and on June 11, 1886 he was captured and taken to Berg Castle on Lake Starnberg. A day later he went for a walk, accompanied by Dr. Goodden. They did not return from their walk. Their bodies were found at the bottom of the lake. The circumstances of the death of the “fairy-tale king” have not yet been clarified.
What about Neuschwanstein Castle? After the death of the king, all construction work was suspended. Despite this, the castle now looks impressive, but according to the plan, a third floor and a knight’s room should have been built, as well as main tower with a church 90 meters high, which was supposed to tower above all buildings.
But it seems that time has finally put everything in its place. Ludwig's mania for building castles, which nearly ruined Bavaria in the 19th century, resulted in the appearance of real masterpieces of architecture on German soil. There is a legend from which it follows that the impressions of Ludwig’s castles and the nearby lakes (one of them, by the way, is called Schwansee - “Swan Lake”) greatly influenced Tchaikovsky when writing music for the famous ballet. Now Ludwig's castles (especially Neuschwanstein) are one of the most famous and most visited tourist attractions in Bavaria, and according to experts, income from visitors has long covered all construction costs.
Category materials
Great and terrible....Reichstag...
(Germany)The building was designed by Frankfurt architect Paul Wallot in the Italian High Renaissance style. The first stone for the foundation of the German parliament building was laid on June 9, 1894 by Kaiser Wilhelm I. Construction lasted ten years and was completed under Kaiser Wilhelm II. During the Soviet troops stormed the Reichstag on May 1, 1945, the Victory Banner was hoisted on the Reichstag. On the...
Dusseldorf (Germany)
(Germany)The appearance of Dusseldorf on the trip described can be called, in general, unplanned. The route from Moscow to London consisted of two flights, and a stop in Dusseldorf initially took 2.5 hours, which could only be spent getting acquainted with the assortment Duty Free and watching planes take off. However, a month before the trip, it became known that the second flight Dusseldorf-London was postponed 5 hours later and the stop in Germany was significantly delayed.
Castles of Bavaria
(Germany)Bavaria is famous throughout the world for its beer, cars and... castles. Over the past few months, hitherto unknown Germany has somehow been trying more and more to attract attention.
Castles of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau
(Germany)I planned five days for Bavaria - three for Munich itself and two more for one-day forays into interesting places in Bavaria: one of the two such places planned for visiting was the “classic” - the castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau located in the Alps. Getting to them from Munich is quite easy - a direct train to Fussen takes only two hours.
Cruise on the Rhine
(Germany)In this part I will talk about the most interesting part of our cruise - the castles in the Rhine Valley. This place is considered the most interesting and beautiful site on the Rhine. In 2002, these places were declared a world cultural heritage by UNESCO.
Passau – the city of three rivers
(Germany)Passau - "Bavarian Venice", one of the oldest and most beautiful cities on the Danube, is located in the eastern part of Bavaria right on the border with Austria. A unique feature of the city is that it stands on three rivers, each of which has its own character and its own color of water. In Passau, three rivers converge in one place: the Danube, the Inn, one of the largest tributaries of its upper reaches, and a small meandering one coming from the Ilz mountains.
The second largest city in Germany met with a minor mood - yesterday in the stunningly beautiful semi-final of Euro 2012, the Germans lost to the Italians 1:2, and the German flags sticking out of every house, door and window of the car are waving sadly in the wind. After getting some sleep at the hotel, we begin exploring the city. Hamburg left a surprisingly pleasant impression - very beautiful and green City! Hamburg is located along the banks...© All rights reserved 2011 - 2019
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March 21st, 2012 , 09:39 pm
In the last few months, hitherto unknown Germany has somehow been trying more and more to attract attention. Moreover, she does this as if “by accident”, simply finding herself in the way. It all started with an unplanned visit to Dusseldorf, which was formed due to the gap between two flights on the way from Moscow to London, and the impressions then turned out to be very interesting.
The second acquaintance can also hardly be called conscious. The case began in the Czech Republic, where during the New Year holidays, in order not to sit in one place for two weeks, I had to visit one of the many excursion bureaus in Karlovy Vary. After thoroughly studying the huge list of excursions, it turned out that the most interesting routes go in a western direction, where the border with Germany is fifty kilometers away.
Germany penetrates consciousness, albeit somewhat cunningly, but far from unsuccessfully. If earlier this country did not arouse any special interest - somehow there was no particular exoticism in it, now sympathies are growing more and more. In addition to advanced modernity, this part of Europe has a very rich and interesting past, well-preserved traces of which are scattered throughout the country in the form of castles, fortresses and even entire preserved cities, and the excellent German tourist infrastructure allows you not only to get to know all this good stuff well, but also choose the methods of this acquaintance to your liking. To complete the portrait of this country, let’s add other interesting facts to all of the above: developed cruise shipping, excellent cuisine, relative proximity to Russia - and we can safely include Germany in the list of target sites for the coming years.
As I said above, during the New Year holidays I managed to visit several places in Germany at once and they were all located in the southernmost part of the country - Bavaria. Historically, Bavaria was and is now the most developed and rich of all regions of Germany - the level of industry and agriculture here has achieved excellent success. And if we take into account the latest rumors that Germany, in general, “feeds” the whole of Europe, then it is simply impossible to question the coolness of Bavaria.
During the New Year holidays, I managed to visit several Bavarian cities at once: Munich, Nuremberg and Bamberg, as well as visit two historical castles located south of Munich, almost on the border with Austria at the foot of the Alps. Having violated the idea that the most delicious things should be left for “later,” I’ll probably start my stories about Germany with them.
So, the castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein are magnificent creations of architecture, created according to the plans of the Bavarian kings for the usual, one might say, everyday purpose - to live in them.
The area in which the two castles are located is located at the very foot of the Alps. It is interesting that the steep cliffs begin completely abruptly and unexpectedly, as if the Alps were specially brought and placed on this plain. In addition to the mountains, nature has endowed these places with numerous lakes, which are (mainly in the summer) a popular vacation spot for Germans.
The first castle - Hohenschwangau (literally: "High Swan Land") has a long and ornate history.
Since the 13th century, the ancient Schwanstein castle, owned by the knights of the local Schwangau family, stood on this site. Two hundred years later, the line of knights ceased to exist, and the castle, which changed hands several times, finally turned into ruins after the war with Napoleon. 
The modern history of the building begins in 1832, when the future next Bavarian king Maximilian II, seeing the romantic ruins and the lakes surrounding them, was captivated by the beauty of the place and decided to purchase the remains of the castle, restore it and make it his summer residence in the Alps. 
Five years later, the local picturesque landscape was decorated with a castle-palace surrounded by a stone wall with decorative defensive towers, several pointed turrets and balconies.
In contrast to the gloomy gray fortresses of the past, it was painted a cheerful yellow, standing out as a bright spot against the surrounding greenery. 
The swan again became the symbol of the castle. The swan was previously on the coat of arms of the counts of Schwangau. Hohenschwangau Castle has survived to this day in its original form and with its original furnishings. 
Today the castle still belongs to members of the Royal House of Bavaria - the Wittelsbach family. Since 1913, it has the status of a museum and is open to the public. 
King Maximilian II had an excellent European education and became one of Europe's most brilliant monarchs, turning Munich into one of the most beautiful European cities. He contributed to the development of science and art in his native Bavaria. Hohenschwangau became the official summer and hunting residence of Maximilian II. 
After Maximilian's death, his son, Ludwig II, ascended the throne at the age of 18, who went down in history as the “fairy-tale king” thanks to the castles he built. Outwardly he was very handsome, slender and tall. All of Bavaria greeted the young king with delight. But for Ludwig, who grew up surrounded by knightly legends and swans, the first place was not the kingdom, but Wagner’s music. The romantic and impressionable king dreamed of building castles in the Alps that would embody the character of the music of his favorite composer. 
Ludwig built the castles of Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herenkimsee, although in general he planned to create about a dozen similar structures.
Unlike his father, Ludwig failed to leave a noticeable mark on the history of Bavaria, but he definitely succeeded in architecture. Conceived in the king's childhood fantasies and implemented over 17 years, the project Neuschwanstein Castle (literally: "New Swan Rock") has become one of the most magnificent castles in the world. 
Like Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein stands on the site of ancient fortresses. However, Ludwig’s plan was so large-scale that the space available on the rock was not enough, and the necessary space was obtained only as a result of blasting, which somewhat reduced the height of the rock, but expanded the construction site. 
Over the past years, the castle has been undergoing phased reconstruction, so, unfortunately, there is now practically no opportunity to capture it entirely in its natural form. 
You can try to feel the full scale and beauty of the Neuschwanstein building in the numerous postcards, photographs and paintings sold in huge quantities around the site. 
Judging by these artistic materials, the best and most accessible general view of the castle is from the Marienbrücke bridge, located a few hundred meters from the castle. 
In winter, the bridge is officially closed, since the path to it runs along the edge of the gorge and is quite dangerous for walking on ice and snow. Particularly desperate tourists still find their way onto this path, bypassing all sorts of designated prohibitions and established fences.
Neuschwanstein was built based on Ludwig's constantly changing dreams, so the resulting structure is difficult to attribute to any one style. The main gate, for example, stands out very much from the image of the entire castle, including its color.
Due to the fact that it was the second half of the 19th century, technology had already begun to come to the aid of builders. A huge amount of building material was lifted from the western side of the building in trolleys using a steam-powered crane. They were delivered and installed in the right place using a special lifting block system. It was simply impossible to build something like this in a rather inaccessible place without technology.
The main part of the construction of Neuschwanstein was completed in 1884 and in the same year Ludwig moved into his new creation.
But Ludwig lived in the new castle for only two years. Unfortunately, the king’s beautiful occupation had the worst possible impact on the life of the previously rich Bavaria and, in fact, destroyed him. The country was constantly drawn into European squabbles, but the young king had neither diplomatic talents nor business acumen. There was not enough money in the treasury and debts were growing rapidly. However, Ludwig did not care - he took out loans and continued to ruin the treasury. From a handsome prince, who was enthusiastically welcomed by all of Bavaria, he turned into a closed and sad king, a romantic and a spender, a builder of fantastic castles.
The greatly concerned government demanded a medical report from doctors on the king's state of health. Of course, no one dared to examine him personally. But the famous and respected psychiatrist Dr. Goodden made his conclusion based on testimony. Ludwig was declared insane and on June 11, 1886 he was captured and taken to Berg Castle on Lake Starnberg. A day later he went for a walk, accompanied by Dr. Goodden. They did not return from their walk. Their bodies were found at the bottom of the lake. The circumstances of the death of the “fairy-tale king” have not yet been clarified.
What about Neuschwanstein Castle? After the death of the king, all construction work was suspended. Despite this, the castle now looks impressive, but according to the plan, a third floor and a knight's room should have been built, as well as a main tower with a church, 90 meters high, which should have risen above all the buildings.
But it seems that time has finally put everything in its place. Ludwig's mania for building castles, which nearly ruined Bavaria in the 19th century, resulted in the appearance of real masterpieces of architecture on German soil. There is a legend from which it follows that the impressions of Ludwig’s castles and the nearby lakes (one of them, by the way, is called Schwansee - “Swan Lake”) greatly influenced Tchaikovsky when writing music for the famous ballet. Now Ludwig's castles (especially Neuschwanstein) are one of the most famous and most visited tourist attractions in Bavaria, and according to experts, income from visitors has long covered all construction costs.
It is impossible to visit Bavaria and not see the beautiful royal castles. They are all different, and all are interesting in their own way. What are the most beautiful castles in Bavaria, and which ones are best to visit first?
in Bavaria (Germany)
This is one of the famous castles of Ludwig II built in Bavaria by the king. Tourists are amazed by the architectural sights and the picturesque landscape around the castle, because for its construction it was necessary to cut down a rock plateau as much as 8 meters down! At the same time, the majestic Neuschwanstein did not appear defensive fortress, not a luxurious royal residence, but was built according to the romantic whim of the king, who spent on his whim a colossal sum for those times - 6 million gold marks.
Today the castle is one of the most interesting places for excursions in Bavaria. Literature lovers will especially like it here, because by order of the monarch, the decoration of all the halls and spacious chambers is dedicated to scenes from German poetry (the Saga of Lohengrin, the Poem of Tannhäuser, the Legend of Parzival).
In the vicinity of the castle there are several beautiful lakes and a bridge from which a wonderful view of Neuschwanstein opens. And you can get here from Munich by train (with a transfer) or by road.
Hohenschwangau - summer residence of the kings
In the same village - Schwangau - there is another palace. Hohenschwangau Castle in Bavaria is often called the White Swan because there are many images of these noble white birds.
Hohenschwangau was originally built by the knights as a fortress, but in the 16th century the Schwangau family ceased to exist, and since then the castle has gradually been destroyed. They began to restore it only three centuries later, using the best artists and architects for this. Since then, Hohenschwangau has become the summer home of the royal family. Today the castle is officially a museum.
The architecture and interiors of the castle differ from the nearby Neuschwanstein Palace. In particular, elements of the Turkish style are noticeable here; the design is dominated by lilac and purple colors and, of course, gold
.
The guides will definitely draw your attention to the Wagner piano, which is located in the castle, as well as to the chapel with unique icons selected by King Ludwig himself.
Linderhof Castle in Bavaria
It is considered the only castle built during Ludwig's lifetime. He was rightfully proud of his luxurious residence, designed in the Baroque style.
The rich interiors of Linderhof amaze the imagination with an abundance of gilding, porcelain, luxurious statues and tapestries.
In addition to the internal chambers, the attractions of Linderhof are also the royal grounds that lie around: this is a large park with a picturesque pond, as well as an artificial cave called the “Grotto of Venus”. During Ludwig's reign, receptions and even opera performances were held here.
Typically, the easiest way to get to this castle in Bavaria is by train. To do this, you need to arrive in the city of Oberammergau and take a bus that will take you all the way to Linderhof Castle.
Nymphenburg - palace of the nymphs
It is located in Munich itself, thanks to which it attracts about 400 thousand people a year. Nymphenburg can rather be called palace complex, because, in addition to the main castle, it includes several more pavilions - Badenburg, Amalienburg and Pagodenburg. Their architecture successfully combines features of the French Baroque and Rococo styles.
In front of the Nymphenburg Palace there is a large square in the shape of a semicircle. A central channel separates from it, which ends with an original cascade decorated with statues of ancient gods.
The territory of the complex stretches over 200 hectares. In addition to the architectural ensemble, it includes gardens, parks, grottoes and canals. Swims in ponds a large number of swans, feeding them is one of the favorite pastimes of visitors.
Bavarians are sincerely convinced that their castles are the most beautiful in the world. Indeed, the castles of Bavaria, in particular those of the infamous King Ludwig II, are unforgettably beautiful. We are ready to help you see this beauty and tell you how to get to the castles of Bavaria, how much the entrance costs and what their visiting hours are.
There are four castles in the vicinity of Munich that attract tourists from all over the world - Neuschwanstein, Hoeschwangau, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee. We have marked them on the map so that you can get a clear idea of what path you will need to cover.
All castles are located approximately 120 km from the Bavarian capital near the town of Fussen near Munich. If you have a day or two left, it is better to stop in Fussen and continue leisurely sightseeing from there - it’s not for nothing that these castles are famous all over the world; there is no need to rush here. And in Fussen itself there is still something to see.
We have already worked out the question in advance and compiled a short one. The journey here from Munich by train will take 2 hours, the ticket price is 23 €. Trains go directly to Füssen at every odd hour, and at every even hour you will need to make one change.
If you go from Munich to Neuschwanstein by car, you will have to park in Hoeschwangau and walk part of the way, since parking directly near the castles is prohibited, and there is nowhere.
The location of parking lots can be seen on the map.
Parking costs 7€ for the whole day for a car and 3€ for a motorcycle. Parking is only allowed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Address for navigator - Alpseestraße 12, 87645 Schwangau (ticket office address). Follow the signs along the way so you don't miss parking.
Prices
Entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau can only be paid at the ticket office Ticketcenter Hohenschwangau, which is located on the way between the two castles - you cannot buy a ticket in the castle itself. But you can buy a ticket to the Museum of the Bavarian Kings on the spot.
Ticket office opening hours: in summer (from April 1 to October 15) daily from 7:30 to 17; in winter (from October 16 to March 31) daily from 8:30 to 15:00.
The cost of visiting Neuschwanstein Castle for an adult is 13 €, for children under 18 years old accompanied by parents - free.
Can buy combination ticket to Neuschwanstein and Hoeschwangau for 23€ or to the Museum of the Bavarian Kings for 20€ (or three places at once for 30.00€)
You cannot buy a ticket online, but you can reserve a ticket 2 days before your visit. The cost of the service is 2.50 € per ticket for one castle for one person.
Visiting times and rules
Neuschwanstein Castle itself is open to the public from April to October 15 from 9 am to 6 pm, from October 16 to March 2017 from 10 am to 4 pm daily. The castle is closed on December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1.
As for visiting, for all their hospitality, the Bavarians are very pedantic. They do not allow you to explore the castles alone, and you can only go inside as part of a group.
How it happens: when you buy a ticket, your ticket will be marked with the time by which you will need to approach the entrance - “Einlasszeit”. By the appointed time, a group will already have gathered next to you, and you will all be allowed inside. If you wish, you can stay for a while in the rooms that interest you and wander around inside on your own with a Russian-speaking audio guide in your ear.
Photography, video shooting and smoking are prohibited in the castles. You will also have to leave large bags and backpacks at home.
Hoeschwangau Castle
Hohenschwangau Castle, translated as “high swan land,” was built on the site of the Schwangau fortress, built in the 12th century and almost completely destroyed during the Napoleonic War.
King Ludwig II, who lived here most of his life, was very fond of swans, and much in the decoration of the palace reminds of this.
After the death of Louis, his mother continued to live in the castle, but she soon died, and the only resident was Luitpold of Bavaria, who was responsible for the electrification of the castle. He died in 1912, and a year later the castle was opened to the public as a museum.
There is also a lake next to the castle - Alpsee, where you can ride a boat or catamaran. From the water there is a breathtaking view of both castles peeking out from behind the tops of the green hills.
4-6 people can ride on a boat, up to 4 on a catamaran. Boats are rented out to tourists only in good weather from May to October every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How to get to Hoeschwangau Castle
Hoeschwangau is located next to Neuschwanstein - you can see the map here. Therefore, consider the question of how to get from Neuschwanstein to Hoeschwangau.
By car or bike
Cars and cyclists are prohibited from driving on the road between Neuschwanstein and Hoeschwangau (Neuschwansteinstraße) - we park and walk. If you come by bicycle, then use the special bicycle path 100 meters from Neuschwanstein, it can be easily found by signs.
On foot
It is about 1.5 km to walk from Neuschwanstein to Hoeschwangau, it will take about 30-40 minutes. You'll have to walk uphill.
Cart or shuttle
A horse-drawn carriage carries tourists between the two castles - a great solution if you don’t want to walk for a long time. But the cart still doesn’t drive straight to the entrance, so you still have to walk for 5-10 minutes.
The cost of the carriage is 6€/3€ (trip uphill/downhill), the ticket can be purchased from the cab driver. There is no clear schedule, the trip is carried out upon request.
The shuttle departs from Neuschwanstein near the Maria Bridge (walk 15 minutes). The cost of the trip is 2.50€ / 1.50€ (up/down), round trip ticket – 3.00€.
If the roads are slippery, you will have to walk - carts and buses do not carry passengers in icy conditions.
You can view detailed map to make it easier to navigate:
Prices
Prices in Hoeschwangau and Neuschwanstein are the same - 12 €, for children under 18 years of age admission is free. You can buy a combined ticket.
Tickets cannot be purchased in advance, you can only reserve them (for 2.50€) maximum 2 days before the planned time of visit, and then pick them up at the ticket office. Arrive on time - you will only be able to enter the castle at a certain time, indicated on the ticket as "Einlasszeit". If you are late, the ticket is non-refundable.
Tourists are provided with free audio guides in different languages, incl. in Russian.
Visiting times and rules
Until October 15, the castle is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from October 16 to April 9, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The castle closes only on Christmas Day on December 24th.
You cannot enter the castle on your own, but after entering you can fight off the group and stay for a couple of minutes in the room you are interested in. The average excursion time is 35 minutes; in high season it may be less.
Linderhof
The Royal Linderhof Castle, comparable in its openwork lightness only to the Taj Mahal, surpassed even the luxurious Versailles in its interior decoration. With all this, the castle and park have a fabulously cozy charm. The Grotto of Venus deserves special attention - an artificial cave 10 m high, which was often used to stage opera scenes.
Linderhof is the only castle whose construction was completely completed during the lifetime of Ludwig II. The castle was built a little further from Neuschwanstein and Hoeschwangau - 50 km.
Nearby is the picturesque village of Obermaergau, which itself is one large work of art. Almost all the houses in this village are decorated with scenes from fairy tales, religious frescoes or simply traditional German ornaments. It's like a village of gingerbread houses from which you can travel further into the Linderhof fairy tale.
How to get to Linderhof Castle
Lienerhof is located just 100 km from Munich, near the village of Ettal, and can be easily reached by car. There is paid parking near the castle itself.
To get to Linderhof Castle from Munich without a car, you will need to take the train to Oberamergau for 2 hours and 19€ (or with a Bavarian ticket). Next at railway station We take bus 9622 directly to the castle, travel time is 30 minutes.
It will be very difficult to get here from Fussen on your own, so it is better to either rent a car or leave this castle for your next trip.
Prices
The cost of visiting the palace and park is 8.50 €. Only the park and all buildings in the park, including the Grotto of Venus - 5 €. Children under 18 years old can see the castle and park for free.
Tickets can be purchased on site, and you can reserve a specific time of visit.
You can purchase a combined ticket for Linderhof, Neuschwanstein and Herrechiemsee (the castle just east of Linderhof), which costs €26 and is valid for 6 months after purchase.
The Grotto of Venus is undergoing restoration and admission is free every Sunday. But for this you will need to get a free ticket - without it you will not be allowed into the grotto.
Visiting times and rules
The castle can be visited at any time of the year, and the park and all buildings in the park, including the grotto, are closed from October 16 to mid-April. The castle is completely closed on December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1.
From April to October 15, the castle welcomes guests daily from 8:30 to 17:30, from October 16 to March from 6:30 to 16.
It is not possible to explore the castle on your own; you can only enter as part of a group of tourists - for this purpose, the time at which you need to approach the entrance is indicated on the tickets. The guides speak English and German; on average, the excursion takes a disappointingly short time - 25 minutes.
Herrenchiemsee
You are not allowed to use mobile phones in the palace, nor are you allowed to take photographs or videotape of the halls from the inside.
Bavaria is unlikely to be matched by any other place in the world for such a luxurious architectural heritage. We have listed just a few places, although in fact there are dozens of castles and palaces in Bavaria. We hope we were able to pique your interest so that you can explore the lush buildings of this green region on your next trip.
Bavaria is a free state in southern Germany, bordering Austria. In the Middle Ages and later years, castles were built in Bavaria, as throughout Europe. These are defensive structures that stood in hard-to-reach but strategically important places. Today, the preserved castles attract hundreds of thousands of tourists. Many of them are given over to the needs of museums or other cultural institutions. A small part of the castles are privately owned; wealthy families still live in them.
Neuschwanstein
This is a popular castle in Bavaria and one of the most visited castles in Europe. This is a romantic castle that was founded by Ludwig II. Built in the neo-Gothic style, in 1869 - 1886. The height of the castle is 35 meters. It is located in Schwangau in Southwestern Bavaria. The palace is called the Swan Castle. The main element of the interior decoration is swans. They decorate walls, ceilings, stairs. Today Neuschwanstein has the status of a museum and is open to the public.
Hohenschwangau
The castle is located opposite Neuschwanstein. It was built by Maximillian the Second, the father of Ludwig the Second. This “fairy-tale” king spent his childhood years here. Construction lasted from 1832 to 1836. Previously, there was a 12th century fortress on this site, but it collapsed during the war and turned into ruins. Hohenschwangau was different from other fortresses, painted bright yellow. The interiors of the palace are decorated with frescoes and paintings. There is a fountain in the shape of a swan in the courtyard. Tours are available around Hohenschwangau.
Linderhof
It is considered the only castle of King Ludwig II that was completed during his lifetime. Located in the Gransvangtal valley. Construction of the building itself lasted from 1869 to 1874. Interior decoration completed later, after the death of the king. The interiors were painted by the best artists of the time (Kvadlio, Gauschild). 10 luxurious walk-through halls are open to tourists. The most unusual place– the Grotto of Venus, an artificial cave in which scenes of Wagner’s operas were staged.
Herrenchiemsee
This is the residence of Ludwig II. The castle was built on the island of Herren, on Lake Chiemsee. The first stone was laid in 1878. Herrenchiemsee is a kind of imitation of Versailles, a tribute to Louis 16 - the idol of Ludwig. The façade and layout are an exact copy of Versailles. The internal equipment even surpasses that of a French palace; the castle had an elevator and a running water supply with hot water. Today there is a museum in the castle, the exhibition is dedicated to Ludwig the Second.
Hohenaschau
One of the largest castles in Bavaria, located in Aschau im Kingau, on the border with Austria. The castle was built at the end of the 12th century according to the design of the von Girnsberg brothers. The fortress was rebuilt several times. Initially it was built in the Renaissance style, and the halls and chapel were completed in the Baroque style. In 2006, a museum and falcon center opened on the territory of Hohenaschau. The castle also houses a holiday home for rock climbing enthusiasts.
Banz
It was once a monastery and a castle. Located in Upper Franconia on the banks of the Main. The building is now used by the Hanz-Seidel Foundation as a conference center. Banz was founded around 1070. The monastery was the richest in the area, reaching the peak of prosperity in the 14th century. The castle was destroyed several times. The current ensemble was built in the late 17th - early 18th centuries in the Baroque style. The authors of the architectural project were the Dientzenhofer brothers.
Harburg
This is a medieval fortress located in the city of the same name in Bavaria. Scientists cannot agree on when it was built. The first mentions date back to the 10th century. Harburg stands on a rock, the castle was built according to military laws. To get to the fortress, it was necessary to go through a lot protective structures. The castle has a “tower of thieves” where torture took place. A collection of paintings and hunting trophies has been collected.
Berg
The castle is located in Upper Bavaria, next to Lake Starnberg. It began to be built in 1676 by order of Ferdinand Maria. In 1849 - 1851 the castle was rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style. After the Second World War, the castle was badly damaged, then restored, but the Gothic towers could not be restored, so its current appearance differs from the historical one. Today Berg is the private property of the Wittelsbach family. Tourists can only walk around the park; they cannot get inside.
Burghausen Castle
Located on the border with Austria. Recognized as the longest castle in Europe, its length is 1043 meters. The first mention of the castle dates back to 1025. Previously it was the residence of the Wittelsbach family. The castle is divided into six separate courtyards, each of them performed its own functions (there was even a tower of torture and executions). During Napoleonic times the warrior was greatly destroyed. It was restored in 1960, and today a museum exhibition is opened in the fortress.
Dachau
The castle is located in the city of the same name in Upper Bavaria. It was the former summer residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty. It was first built in 1100; it was subsequently destroyed, rebuilt and rebuilt. The modern castle was built in 1715 in the Baroque style. Today, out of four buildings, only one has survived. The palace is open to tourists and hosts classical music concerts. The main feature of the castle is the coffered ceiling of the banquet hall, made in the 16th century. Behind Dachau there is an English park and a linden alley.
Grünau
This is a hunting castle, it is located in the Neuburg an der Donau area. The building was built from 1530 to 1555 in the Renaissance style. It was erected by order of Otto Goenich, a representative of the Wittelsbach family. Today the castle belongs to the foundation of the former dynasty. It hosts cultural events and has hosted an annual Christmas market since 2005. It also houses the Neuburg river research center.
Wiesentau
The first mention of the castle dates back to 1379. Originally belonged to the Wiesentau family, then passed to the Wittelsbachs. The castle is located in Upper Franconia, near Ehrenburg. It is a fortress with four towers in the corners. Built in the Renaissance style. Today there is a hotel and restaurant in Wiesentau.
Wurzburg residence
This is an architectural complex located in the center of Wurzburg. Construction lasted from 1719 to 1744 according to the design of the architect Balthasar Neumann. The castle was built in the South German Baroque style. In 1981 it was included in the UNESCO heritage list. The interior decoration is made in Rococo and Baroque styles. The residence has 400 rooms, divided into northern and southern apartments. During World War II, the castle was badly damaged, but most of the interiors were restored.
Altenburg Fortress
It is known as Bamberg. It once served as a refuge for refugees. Located in the city of Bamberg, but one of the seven hills. It was built in 1109. It was used by the archbishops of the city as a residence. In 1985, the castle was given the status of a protected monument. It became open to tourists. With her observation platforms may be considered Old city and surrounding areas.
Abenberg
The castle stands on a hill near the town of the same name. It was built from 1040 to 1059 for Count Adalbert. Subsequently it passed into other hands and was reconstructed several times. This is an impressive stone fortress in the area. Today it houses a restaurant, a hotel, and a lace museum. There is a house of Franconian history. Abenberg hosts concerts and festivals.
Johannesburg Castle
The fortress is located in Asschafenburg, a city in Bavaria. Construction lasted from 1605 to 1614. The castle was built in the Renaissance style from dark limestone. Previously served as the residence of the Mainz archbishops. The interiors of Johannesburg are designed in the style of classicism. During World War II, the castle was badly damaged, but was then restored.
Irmelshausen
The castle is located in Lower Franconia, in the village of the same name. It was first mentioned in 800. The modern fortress was significantly reconstructed in 1854. Since the 14th century it served as the residence of the Biebrich family. This is the only castle in Bavaria that was not damaged during the Thirty Years' War and the Peasants' War. During World War II, American soldiers were stationed there. The castle houses the archives and family cemetery of the Biebrich family.
Kleinbardorf
This is a very small castle near the city of Sulzfeld. Its peculiarity is that it stands on the water and is still used as a residential building. The construction of the first fortress dates back to the end of the 17th century, erected by order of Heinrich von Biebrich in the Renaissance style. Then the castle was bought by Baron Guttenberg and restored in 1766. Near Kleinbardorf there is a large Jewish cemetery.
Kranzbach
Located at the foot of the Zugspitz mountain, on the border with Austria. Kranzbach was built between 1913 and 1915, despite the First world war. The architects were Detmar Blow and Fernardo Biller. The castle was built in the English Arts and Crafts movement style. After World War II, the fortress was purchased into private ownership, and a hotel was opened in it.
Marienberg
The fortress is located in Lower Franconia, near the city of Würzburg. Back in the times of the Celts, there was a settlement on this site, then a church and a fortress were built. It was rebuilt several times. The most extensive works were carried out in the Renaissance and Baroque styles. Today, two museums are open in Marienberg: Main Franconia and Fürstenbau.
Mespelbrunn
It stands in the center of the pond, which is why it is called the “Water Castle”. Located in the city of Mespelbrunn. It was built in the Renaissance style in the 15th – 16th centuries. The construction of the fortress was started by Eaman Echter, the construction was continued by his son and descendants. Today the castle is owned by the Counts of Ingelheim. The family occupies the southern part of the house, and the rest of the area is open to tourists.
Elmau
The castle is located in southern Germany and was built in the 19th century. It hosted the 47th G7 summit. Today it operates as a luxury hotel with 140 unique and modern rooms. Not far from it is the Hotel Krantzenbach (former castle). In 2005, Elmau burned due to poor wiring, but was restored. The castle hosts chamber music concerts.
Trausnitz
The castle is located in the city of Landshut. It was built in the Renaissance style. For a long time it was the residence of representatives of the Bavarian-Landshut Duchy. The first mention of the castle dates back to the 13th century. Today Trausnitz is a branch of the Bavarian National Museum. A collection of items collected by Albrecht the Fifth is exhibited. The most interesting place in the castle there is a staircase of jesters, around its steps are depicted characters from the commedia dell'arte.
Nymphenburg
This is one of the most convenient palaces to visit. Located in Munich. Built in the 17th century in Baroque style with Rococo elements. The castle has been well preserved to this day. The layout includes huge ballrooms, ducal bedrooms, offices, and portrait galleries. There is a gorgeous garden next to the castle, which has a pond, fountains and canals. The park contains elegant pavilions where royalty rested.
Blutenburg
This is a former hunting castle in Munich, built from 1431 to 1440 by order of Albrecht III. Connected with the unhappy love of a prince (he married a commoner, the girl was recognized as a witch and drowned). The castle is located near Nymphenburg Palace. Blutenburg changed his status many times and was here for a long time convent. In 1980, the building was given to the International Youth Library.
Falkenberg
This fortress is located in the Upper Palatinate, a district of Bavaria. Falkenberg is located on the castle hill, built in the Renaissance style. The first mention of it dates back to 1154. Initially, the fortress belonged to the Falkenberg family, then Leuchtenberg, then it often changed owners. Today the castle was bought by the city municipality. It hosts cultural events.
Parsberg Castle
The fortress is located in the Bavarian city of the same name. This is the former residence of the Parsberg dynasty. The first mention dates back to 1205. Subsequently, the castle was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. In the 19th century, local court sessions were held in the fortress. Today in Parsberg there is one of the exhibitions of the Museum of Folklore and modern history Bavaria.
Schleissheim
This palace and park ensemble, located in the vicinity of Munich. It was built in the 16th century in Baroque style. Served as the residence of the Witelsbachs. It was built following the example of the little Versailles. In front of it there is a large garden, canals, groves, and a flower garden. Today the palace houses a museum, displaying a collection of paintings from the Baroque era.
Plassenburg
The fortress belonged to the German Hohenzollern dynasty. Located in the north of Bavaria, above the city of Kulmbach. The first mention dates back to 1135. Architectural ensemble, which has survived to this day, was built in the 16th century. Today, exhibitions are held in Plassenburg and there are four museums. Among them: the Museum of Tin Figures, the Museum of the Upper Main Region, the Museum of the Army of Frederick the Great and the Hohenzollern Museum in Franconia.
Naidstein
The castle is located in Etzelwang, a commune in Bavaria. The founding date is considered to be 1513. The fortress was the residence of the Brandt family for a long time. But in 2006, the castle was bought by American actor Nicolas Cage. The property was valued at $2 million. Three years later, he resold it for half a million more. The most valuable assets of the castle are the Neidstein archive and official documents for housing.
Nassenfels
The fortress is located near the Bavarian city of Eichstätt. The first mention of it dates back to 1245. In the Middle Ages it was used as the residence of the Bishop of Eichstätt. Repeatedly expanded by other bishops. In 1932, Nassenfels Castle was severely damaged by a lightning strike. Today, views of the fortress are possible only in exceptional cases.
New castle
Located in Ingolstadt, it was erected for Duke Ludwig the Seventh Bearded. It was built in the French style. Work began in 1418. The thickness of the external walls is 4 meters. There are two towers on the western side and one tower on the eastern side. Another tower, the largest, stands separately. Today the castle houses the Bavarian Army Museum.
Staufeneck Castle
The castle is located in the commune of Piding in Bavaria. It was built in the 12th century by order of the Counts of Staufeneck. It then became the property of the archbishops of Salzburg. The fortress was finally rebuilt in the 16th century, and in this form it has survived to this day. In the twentieth century, a museum was placed in it, festivals are held in the fortress, and medieval markets are held.
Neuburg Castle
The fortress was built in the city of Neuburg, near the Danube River. It served as the residence of the rulers of the Palatinate-Neussburg branch (the Wittelsbach dynasty). The castle was built in the style of Renaissance architecture. Construction work continued from 1527 to 1655. Today, there are three museums on the territory of the palace: an exhibition of Neuburg Castle, an archeology museum and a collection of Flemish Baroque painting.
Estate on Shahen
This is a small royal mountain castle. Built on Mount Schachen, in the Alps, by order of Ludwig II, but the least known of his palaces. Construction lasted from 1869 to 1872. The castle was built in the style of a Swiss chalet. The estate has a living room, a main hall, a bedroom, and a bathroom. Today, next to the castle there is a branch of the Munich Botanical Garden.
Feste Coburg
The fortress is located in the Bavarian city of Coburg. One of the best preserved fortresses in Germany. Built in the style of Romanesque architecture. The first mention of it dates back to 1056. Today, the castle has a museum that houses collections of paintings, sculptures, coins, jewelry, weapon trophies, and glassware.
Nuremberg
This structure consists of three parts: Buggrafenburg, Kaiserburg and Nuremberg Fortress. The castle is located in the city of Nuremberg and is considered a monument of medieval architecture. On the territory of the imperial fortress there is an observation tower, an observation deck, a double chapel, dungeons, adits, gardens and a hundred-meter well. There is a paid museum.
