Neuschwanstein Inspired a King, Disney and the Nazis
Perched on a cliff in the Bavarian Alps near Füssen, Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle is the epitome of idyllic. Its towers rise to the skies, while the surrounding landscapes invite you to daydream. It’s the stuff of fairy tales, so much so, that the man who built it is dubbed the “king of fairy tales” – Ludwig II of Bavaria, born in 1845.
“Neuschwanstein is nestled in this alpine landscape. Reminiscent of a theatrical setting, Ludwig II intended to unite architecture, art and landscapes in one Gesamtkunstwerk — a complete work of art,” Alexander Wiesneth of the Bavarian Palace Administration told DW.
Designed as a place of refuge
Just a few weeks after the mysterious death of Ludwig II in 1886, Neuschwanstein opened to the public. It was an ironic twist of fate, as the king built it as a private retreat for himself, desperately seeking solitude.
Modeled after a medieval knight’s castle, inspiration for Neuschwanstein came during Ludwig II’s 1867 travels to Wartburg Castle near Eisenach, Germany and the Chateau de Pierrefonds in France.
As the eccentric Ludwig II himself wrote to his revered friend, the opera composer Richard Wagner, in May 1868:
“It is my intention to rebuild the ruins of the old castle […] close to the Pöllat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights’ castles, and I must confess to you that I look forward to living there one day”, as the Bavarian Palace Administration notes.
A tribute to composer Richard Wagner
Construction on the “new castle” which was to include 200 rooms began in September 1869 and continued for decades, but was never fully completed.
The building combined several styles that included towers, chapels and arches, but also featured modern realizations such as central heating, flush toilets and a bell system to summon servants.
The Neuschwanstein project was also dedicated to Wagner, whose operas “Tannhäuser”, “Lohengrin” and “Parsifal” profoundly influenced Ludwig.
The Hall of Singers has gilded moldings and frescoes depicting knights, courtly love and other legends from medieval times, such as the Holy Grail. The ceiling reveals the signs of the zodiac, while images on the walls show Parsifal’s son, the “Swan Knight” Lohengrin. Ludwig II himself had identified with these figures from his youth.
Source: DW
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