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Neuschwanstein
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neuschwanstein Castle (German: Schloß/Schloss Neuschwanstein, lit. New Swan Stone palace; pronounced [nɔɪˈʃvaːnʃtaɪ̯n]) is a 19th century Bavarian palace. Located in Germany, near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, the palace was built by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner, the King's inspiring muse. Although photography of the interior is not permitted,[1] it is the most photographed building in Germany[2] and is one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations.
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The conception of the palace 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 Dollmann, son-in-law of Leo von Klenze.
The palace 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 palace has been the Schwanstein, the seat of the knights of Schwangau, whose emblem had been the swan.
The palace 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.[citation needed] 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."[citation needed]
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.[3] With the palace still under construction at the Kings death, one of the major features of the palace remained unbuilt. A massive keep was planned for the middle of the upper court yard and was never built at the decision of the Kings remaining family. The foundation for the keep can still be seen in the upper courtyard today.
Some of the many finished rooms include the throne room, which features a gem encrusted chandelier, all twelve apostles painted on the wall that surrounds the pedestal for the throne (the actual throne was never finished) and Jesus behind the pedestal. The King's master suite includes a four post bed hand carved out of wood, the canopy of the bed is carved as the cathedral towers from every cathedral in Bavaria, a secret flushing toilet (The toilet flushes with water collected from an aqueduct.) and a running sink in the shape of a swan. The palace also includes a oratory, accessible from the dressing room and the master suite, that features an ivory crucifix, a room made to look like a cavern, a full kitchen equipped with hot and cold running water and heated cupboards, servants quarters, a study, a dining room and the Singers' Hall. The Singers' hall is a place for musicians and playwrights to come and perform. The King built it for Wagner as a place to write and perform plays. The King died before being able to watch a performance in the Singers' Hall, but it has been used since the King's death.
Despite its medieval look, the construction of Neuschwanstein required the modern technology of the day, and the palace 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 palaces were the first buildings 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.
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 palace. The King could hardly control himself as he asked von Gudden, "How can you declare me insane? You have not yet examined me!"[4] 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.
The palace is owned by the state of Bavaria, unlike Hohenschwangau which is owned by Franz, Duke of Bavaria.
It inspired the building of another Wittelsbach palace, Schloss Ringberg. Neuschwanstein is a contemporary of the slightly older Portuguese Pena Palace in Sintra, sometimes referred to as 'the Portuguese Neuschwanstein' (ca. 1840). Finally, it has served as the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. [5]
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 €2 commemorative coin for the German Bundesländer series in 2012.
In 2007, it was a finalist in the selection of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- ^ Neuschwanstein Castle: Admission Charges and Tickets: Visitor Information. Retrieved on 2007-03-10.
- ^ Dummies::Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau: Castles in the Air. Adapted From: Germany For Dummies, 2nd Edition. Retrieved on 2006-06-09.
- ^ Desing, Julius (1998). in Bonny Schmid-Burleson (trans.): The Royal Castle of Neuschwanstein. Lechbruck, Germany: Verlag Wilhelm Kienberger.
- ^ Sailer, Anton, Castles, Mystery, and Music, the Legend of Ludwig II, Munich, 1983 reprint: 136, ISBN 3-7654-1898-6
- ^ http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/Disneyland/Secrets/Fantasy/Castle.html
- 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.
- 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
- Neuschwanstein is at coordinates Coordinates:
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| Falkenstein | Herrenchiemsee | Königshaus am Schachen | Linderhof | Neuschwanstein |