The Cinderella Castle is a Romanesque Revival palace built in the 19th century on a rocky hill near Fussen in Bavaria, Germany. Ludwig II of Bavaria commissioned this majestic retreat as homage to composer Richard Wagner. The formal name of Cinderella Castle is Neuschwanstein Castle.
There are not many places and castles on earth that look like the fairy tale landscapes illustrated in storybooks; and the Cinderella Castle adorned by towers, frescoes, turrets, and throne hall is definitely one of them. The story of its construction is not as idyllic as the appearance.
The castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1868, only 2 years after Bavaria and Austria were captured by Prussia. The king lost his powers after the Austro-Prussian War and quickly descended into a fantasy world filled with luxurious castles and gardens where he could truly live like a king.
Ludwig never saw the Cinderella Castle in its completed form. He passed away in 1886 and it was not until 1892 that the last towers were finally erected. The castle was opened to tourists and public just a few weeks after Ludwig’s mysterious death and it soon became one of the most popular attractions in the area. Currently, over 1.5 million people visit this majestic castle thus making it one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Neuschwanstein Castle and Disney Fairy tales
It is said that the Cinderella Castle with its deep blue turrets and white limestone façade was the inspiration for the castle featured in the 1950 classic Disney movie, Cinderella. There is striking resemblance between the two.
The Sleeping Beauty castle in Disneyland also looks like the Neuschwanstein. Before starting the construction of his theme park in California, Walt Disney went to Europe for a vacation and this trip include a trip to the Bavarian castle.
The exteriors of Cinderella Castle
The Cinderella Castle is not really tall and the highest tower is only 123 feet tall. The location of the castle on a hill is what imparts an imposing appearance to it.
Beyond the walls of the castle is the Marienbrücke Bridge which if deftly built over a waterfall. Tourists can get the most gorgeous views of the castle and take some of the best photos of the exteriors. There are many wooden trails all around the grounds. You can take a stroll and checking the beautiful landscape adorned by the Bavarian Alps.
Neuschwanstein Castle – Interiors
King Ludwig had grand plans for the Neuschwanstein castle, but he died before its completion. Currently only 14 rooms have been finished and they are open for public tours. Tourists can visit varied sections such as the king’s bedroom, cave-shaped grotto, and Singer’s Hall, etc.
- Throne Room: There are no other rooms in the castle that capture the fantasy of Ludwig to live life like a king other than the throne room. The room is about two storeys high and it encompasses the magnificence of the Byzantine churches. It features a painted cupola, 13 feet tall huge chandelier, intricate and extensive floor mosaic. The throne is however mysterious absent.
- The Dressing Room: The dressing room of the kind features varied murals that illustrate the poetic works of Hans Sachs and Walther von der Vogelwide, etc, as well as stunning paintings on ceilings. The complete room has a rich gold finish embellished by violet silks.
When to visit The Cinderella Castle?
There is no specific time of the year that is ideal for a visit to the Cinderella Castle; you can visit when the summer sun is shining or when the peaks are covered by winter snow. It may however be noted that there are nearly 6000 daily visitors to the castle every day. Hence, it is best to avoid a trip during the peak summer season falling between July and August.
Tourists should reach the Ticket-center Hohenschwangau before opening hours so as to avoid queues. You may also visit after 3 pm when crowds start to dissipate. You can plan for an off-season visit, or on a weekend. Other than the main holidays, such as Christmas, the tourist count between Nov and April drops substantially.
Neuschwanstein Castle Tour (How to get to the Cinderella Castle)
The only way to check the interiors of the Cinderella Castle is via tour groups of the Bavarian Palace Department. There are many travel companies that arrange trips from Munich to the castle and nearby regions. The transport changes typically start at $45, but this does not include the entry fee to the castle. Tourists may choose a tour which also offers stops at nearby places like Hohenschwangau, Oberammergau village, Linderhof Castle, etc.
Those who do not want to avail the services of a tour company can opt for public transportation. Trains from Munich go till Fussen from where a local bus needs to be taken to arrive at the castle. You can also drive to Kempten or Fussen and park in Hohenschwangau; the car drive is for around 2 hours. Intercity buses and trains are also available from Innsbruck or Garmsich.
After arriving at Hohenschwangau, you can buy the tickets for the Cinderella Castle at Ticket-center. You can then move towards the castle on foot, via a horse-drawn carriage, or a shuttle bus. It may be noted that Hohenschwangau has several tourist attractions like the Museum of the Bavarian Kings, etc. If you have time, you may check them out as well. The climb up to the castle is steep and walking can take about 40 minutes. Shuttles and carriages do not travel all the way up to the castle. Tourists need to walk for 5 to 10 minutes to finally reach the castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle – Entry Ticket Prices
Adult entry tickets to the Cinderella Castle cost €13, which include a 1-hour guided tour. There is free entry for tourists below 18 years; special discounts are also available for students, senior citizens, and big groups.
Opening Hours (Timings)
The Cinderella Castle is open all days of week, barring Dec 24, 25, and 31 and Jan 1. Between April and Oct, the opening hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM, while it is 10 AM to 4 PM from Oct to Mar.
Neuschwanstein Castle (Cinderella Castle) – Inside Pictures
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