The world of Crazy King Ludwig II

We took an organised tour and see the famous Neuschwanstein castle - the one that Disneyland castle is based upon. The tour also included a visit to the Winter palace of Ludwig II. 

 The first stop was the Winter Palace, which is quite small but fantastically designed and decorated. 

After a short tour of the palace, it was back on the bus and off to the gift shops, in some remote village in the mountains. As we drove out of the little township, Nicole spied the Christmas shop that we have found at the Christmas markets last year, but it was too late, we were on the way out of the village. 

When we arrived at the base of the castle (at a pre-determined restaurant for lunch, you know how these tours go), we had lunch, then set off up to the castle itself. It was a good 30-40 minute walk up the hill, and quite steep. It was possible to get a horse and cart ride up about 2/3 of the way, but the line was about 100 people deep (and with 8 per wagon, it was going to be a while). It was a nice walk, and we got up to the castle in plenty of time for our designated tour time. 

 

Ludwig was as mad as a hatter. He did, however have a pretty decent castle built. Heavily inspired by the operas of Wagner (by the sounds of it, his only friend), he designed and decorated Neuschwanstein based upon these themes. Although only 30% of the interior was finished. The castle is 150 years old, and hardly lived in (he only lived there for 175 days). Everything is really well preserved. 

The government of the time realised Ludwig was spending too much money, and getting into debt (he had plans for another castle as well, which was never built). The only way the government could stop him building and getting into more debt, was to have him diagnosed as mad. He was declared mad by a doctor, and was removed from the castle. The following day the doctor and Ludwig were found dead in the lake. To this day it is not known how they died...it adds to the mystery of the castles. 

The boys loved the castle - in fact, they were right up the front with the tour guide, looking around whilst Nicole and I were stuck in the middle of the 'herd'. They were off looking at everything having a great time.  It was good to see them being independent, discovering facts, asking the tour guide questions and really listening. As we headed back to the bus. and on the way back to the hotel hey were able to rattle off all sorts of facts about both castles! After our castle tour, we headed back down to the bus and drove back to Munich. A quick dinner and back to the hotel in preparation for the following day's surprise.