Schloß (Castle) Neuschwanstein

A Brief History

[1] Click for complete GIF image, 110K, 320×448

The foundation stone for the castle was laid on September 5, 1869 at the behest of King Ludwig II. of Bayern (Bavaria, southern Germany.) Ludwig's personal desire for isolation reflected on his political attitudes, which were not well-received with the Bavarian government. He was dethroned on June 8, 1886 on grounds of supposed insanity. The second attempt to arrest him succeeded four days later on the 12th, and on the 13th he and his doctor were found dead in Lake Starnberg. Suicide? Murder? Assassination? The mystery was never solved.

In ignorance of the true facts of the case, it is always stated that Ludwig II. had wasted the state's money and taxes for the building of his castles. It is even suggested that he brought the country to the edge of bankruptcy. However, the true facts are such that the King only used money from his own privy purse (that is, from his own personal fortune) and from the Civil List (his "salary" as Monarch of a country.)

As this money was not always sufficient, Ludwig II. worked on credit which, after his death, was paid back by his family. According to the main audit books of the Royal Cabinet, which are still in the secret House Archives of the House of Wittelsbach, the building of Schloß Neuschwanstein, up to the end of the year 1886 cost 6,180,047 Goldmarks.

[2] Click for a full-size GIF image, 62KB, 384×256

The castle was reopened to the public on August 1, 1886, less than two months after the king's death, but was never completed. The castle remains today in the possession of the family of King Ludwig. They own the copyrights to the truly fabulous artworks (such as pictures) housed within the castle walls, which is why they do not allow cameras to be used inside.

Images of Neuschwanstein

[3] Click for large JPEG image, 163K, 1160x870

[4] The Castle in Winter; no larger version is available

Acknowledgments

1. Digitized from a postcard that I bought at the castle,
2. Digitized by Mariusz Olejarczyk
3. Digitized by Mariusz Olejarczyk
4. Supplied by Mariusz Olejarczyk

I have several other images from Mariusz and some that I took myself. I hope to put a few more images here within the month of July (1997), so come back soon and get your Neuschwanstein fix!