NEUSCHWANSTEIN

'Neuschwanstein Castle' (German: ''Schloß/Schloss Neuschwanstein'', lit. ''New Swan Stone Castle''; IPA pronunciation: ) is a 19th century Bavarian castle. Located in Germany, near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, the castle was built by Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, as a retreat and as an homage to Richard Wagner, the King's inspiring muse. It is the most photographed building in Germany,^[1] although photography of the interior is not permitted,^[2] and is one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations.

Contents

History

Conception

Scope of the castle

Ludwig II declared insane

Post-Ludwig II

In popular culture

Notes and References

External links

History

Conception

The conception of the castle was outlined by Ludwig II in a letter to Richard Wagner, dated May 13, 1868;
:''"It is my intention to rebuild the old castle ruin at Hohenschwangau near the Pollat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles...the location is the most beautiful one could find, holy and unapproachable, a worthy temple for the divine friend who has brought salvation and true blessing to the world."''
The foundation stone of the building was laid September 5, 1869. Neuschwanstein was designed by Christian Jank, a theatrical set designer, rather than an architect, which says much regarding Ludwig's intentions and explains much of the fantastical nature of the resulting building. The architectural expertise, vital to such a perilously-sited building, was provided first by the Munich court architect, Eduard Riedel, and latterly by Georg Dollman and Leo von Klenze.
The castle was originally called "New Hohenschwangau Castle" until the king's death, when it was re-named Neuschwanstein, the castle of the Swan Knight, Lohengrin, of Wagner's opera of the same name. In origin, the castle has been the Schwanstein, the seat of the knights of Schwangau, whose emblem had been the swan.
Whilst when the king died a riot started killing 200 children, 500 women and 760 men. the riot went for several weeks.

Scope of the castle

The castle comprises a gatehouse, a Bower, the Knight's House with a square tower, and a Palas, or citadel, with two towers to the Western end. The effect of the whole is highly theatrical, both externally and within. The king's influence is apparent throughout and he took a keen personal interest in the design and decoration. An example can be seen in his comments, or commands, regarding a mural depicting Lohengrin in the Palas; "His Majesty wishes that .. the ship be placed further from the shore, that Lohengrin's neck be less tilted, that the chain from the ship to the swan be of gold and not of roses, and finally that the style of the castle shall be kept medieval." The castle includes a room made to look like a cavern, as well as a secret flushing toilet in the master bedroom. The toilet flushes with water collected from an aqueduct.
The suite of rooms within the Palas contains the Throne Room followed by Ludwig's suite, followed by the Singers' Hall and by the Grotto. Throughout, the design pays homage to the German legends of Lohengrin, the Swan Knight. Hohenschwangau, where Ludwig spent much of his youth, had decorations of these sagas. These themes were taken up in the operas of Richard Wagner. However, many of the interior rooms remain undecorated; only 14 rooms were finished before Ludwig's death. The Royal Castle of Neuschwanstein, , Julius, Desing, Verlag Wilhelm Kienberger, 1998,
Despite its medieval look, the construction of Neuschwanstein required the modern technology of the day, and the castle is a marvel of technological structural achievements. Steam engines and electricity, modern venting, and heating pipes are all part of the structure.
It is now almost forgotten that Ludwig II was a patron of modern inventions and that he pioneered the introduction of electricity into public life in Bavaria. His new castles were the first to use electricity (i.e. the Venus Grotto at Linderhof) and other modern conveniences. Through his building activities Ludwig kept many particular crafts alive the knowledge and expertise of which would have died out otherwise, and he provided work and income to a large number of artisans, builders, plasterers, decorators, etc.

Ludwig II declared insane

Neuschwanstein was close to completion when, in 1886, the King was declared insane by a State Commission under Dr von Gudden and arrested at the castle. The King could hardly control himself as he asked von Gudden "how can you declare me insane? You have not yet examined me!"^[3] Taken to Schloss Berg, he was found on June 13, 1886, in shallow water in Lake Starnberg, drowned, along with von Gudden, the psychiatrist who certified him. The exact circumstances of his death remain unexplained.

Post-Ludwig II

The castle is owned by the state of Bavaria, unlike Hohenschwangau which is owned by Franz, Duke of Bavaria.
It inspired the building of another Wittelsbach castle, Schloss Ringberg. Neuschwanstein is a contemporary of the slightly older Portuguese Pena Palace in Sintra, sometimes referred to as 'the Portuguese Neuschwanstein' (ca. 1840).
The nearby Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) over Pöllat Gorge, named after Marie of Prussia, provides a view of one of Neuschwanstein's façades (above).
Neuschwanstein is to appear on a German Bundesländer series of €2 commemorative coins in 2012.
In 2007, it was a finalist in the selection of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

In popular culture

The castle's famous fairytale appearance lends itself to frequent use in popular culture:

★ Neuschwanstein served as the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. It also served as inspiration for Walt Disney in his concept for the castle in the classic animated feature Cinderella, and thus Cinderella Castle is based on the movie's portrayal.

★ In Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg Virginia there is a haunted ride named "Curse of DarKastle" that is based on King Ludwig II and Neuschwanstein.

★ Neuschwanstein appears prominently in television and several films, including ''The Amazing Race'' and ''Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics'', ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'', ''The Great Escape'', ''The Timekeeper'', ''Ludwig'', and ''Spaceballs''.

★ A photo of Neuschwanstein is on the cover of the British pop-group Blur's single "Country House" of 1995.

★ The castle appears on the inside cover of Rammstein's Rosenrot cover.

★ One of the computer games from Puzz 3-D allows players to construct a simulated jigsaw puzzle of Neuschwanstein. After successfully assembling the castle, players are allowed to go inside and explore certain rooms, play games, and solve a mystery concerning the characters of Wagner's operas.

★ Neuschwanstein appeared prominently in the second game of the Gabriel Knight series, in which the story centred around King Ludwig II.

★ The castle appeared in the Manga called Saint Seiya where it was Hades' Castle.

★ Neuschwanstein served as the influence for Oroduran Castle in the 8th Pokémon Movie, Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.

Notes and References

1. Dummies::Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau: Castles in the Air
2. Neuschwanstein Castle: Admission Charges and Tickets: Visitor Information
3. Sailer, Anton, ''Castles, Mystery, and Music, the Legend of Ludwig II'', Munich, 1983 reprint: 136, ISBN 3-7654-1898-6


★ Blunt, Wilfred, ''The Dream King - Ludwig II of Bavaria'', Hamish Hamilton, London, 1970, ISBN 241-01899-4

★ ''Neuschwanstein Castle'' - the Official Guide, Bayerische Schlosseverwaltung, undated.

External links

★ Neuschwanstein Castle at New Seven Wonders of the World

★ Bavarian Palace Department Page of Neuschwanstein (English)

★ Official website

★ Many pictures and some history

★ Neuschwanstein Wallpaper - from National Geographic