That Castle

Up very early to begin our journey to Neuschwanstein Castle, the iconic fairy tale castle that was the model for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. It is almost too pretty to be real and that's because it isn't.  It was designed by a set designer and is of the same vintage as that other famous European tourist magnet, the Eiffel Tower.  Having said that, it is quite breathtaking to behold. The getting there is the problem. 

We had read that the lineups can be ridiculous so we booked a skip-the-line tour back in June.  We met up with our tour group at 9:30 in the Munich Train Station and boarded a train for a 2 hour ride to the town of Füssen, changed to a bus for an additional 20 minute ride to the foot of the hill the castle is situated on.  

After a quick lunch of bratwurst on a bun we hopped another bus which took us up to Marienbrücke, the bridge overlooking the castle.  The bridge is a creaky wooden structure jammed with tourists. My new bionic elbow came in handy getting us a good vista point on the bridge.

 After snapping off a few photos we hiked down to the castle itself.  Surprisingly the castle was never actually finished as another tower and a garden were planned.  

Like good sheep we lined up and proceeded to climb the 400+ stairs to the decorated rooms.  Unfortunately no photography was allowed inside.  

Neuschwanstein's nickname is "Mad Ludwig's Castle" alluding to King Ludwig II of Bavaria who commissioned its construction.  King Ludwig II was a very interesting and controversial King.  He only managed to live in the castle for 2 weeks before he was declared insane and sent off to a family home in Munich. He died shortly thereafter under extremely suspicious circumstances.  He and his doctor went for a walk around a lake and later, both were found dead.  The "official" version was death by drowning but no water was found in their lungs and the lake was only 2 feet deep. The question of Ludwig's sanity involved a considerable amount of political intrigue.  A panel of 4 psychiatrists declared him insane without ever having spoken with him.  In the ultimate example of karma the doctor who drowned with Ludwig was the head of this 4 person panel. 

We repeated the bus, bus, train scenario in reverse and arrived back in Munich.  The big question is, "was the over 10 hours of travel and preparation worth it for a 35 minute tour?"  That's another box checked and like its contemporary, the Eiffel Tower, we've done it and are there is no need or desire to to it again.