# 9 Liechtenstein and Neuschwanstein Castle

Liechtenstein and Neuschwanstein Castle

 

 Liechtenstein is a storybook Principality and is the sixth-smallest country in the world. It lies in the heart of the Alps between Switzerland and Austria.  We had a quick walk around as it was a super short stop!  We managed to get our passport stamped and take a few photos …… here they are:

 

 One of our targets on this trip was Neuschwanstein Castle; the 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace built on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany.  The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and in honor of Richard Wagner.  There was also a small village at the foot of the mountain of Neuschwanstein.

 

 

 

 

 

Ludwig paid for the palace out of his personal fortune and by means of extensive borrowing, rather than Bavarian public funds.  Often notated as Bavaria’s “Mad King Ludwig’s“ fantasy castle it is one of the most visited castles in Germany and is a symbol of idealized romantic architecture. The first photo below was shot from a bridge that crosses a valley across from the castle.  

 

Ludwig wanted Neuschwanstein to be built as a temple of friendship and he also dedicated it to the life and work of Richard Wagner.  Wagner died in 1883 before he had set foot in the building.  In the end, Ludwig II lived in the palace for a total of only 172 days, he slept there for only 11 nights and at the time of his death in 1886 the palace was far from complete.  Neuschwanstein  contained only the king's private lodging and servants' rooms. Many other finishes which originally were plan extravagantly were simplified, not realized or abandoned all together after Ludwig’s death.

 

Neuschwanstein is now managed by the Bavarian Palace Department.  Photos inside the Castle are not permitted and there are only three completed rooms which are shown on a tour; Ludwig’s Bedroom, the Throne Room and the Music Hall.  Below are the photos from our visit to Neuschwanstein.  The photos of any interior rooms are courtesy of Pixabay, Flickr and Wikimedia – free for change and use.

 

There was also a model of the castle located near the exit from the tour.  Below are a few model pics and some views from the castle.

 

The lovely castle you see in both the photo above and below also belonged to Ludwig.

 

 

 

 

 

Time to say goodbye to Neuschwanstein.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More coming soon  😊

 

Jan  🌷🌷🐾🐾