Tuesday, May 8 ... Neuschwanstein

Neuschwanstein Castle was opened to the public a mere seven weeks after the the death of reclusive King Ludwig II of Bavaria. 

In 1864, Ludwig II acceded to the throne at the age of 18 without any experience of life or politics/
Ludwig was hugely fascinated by the musical dramas of Richard Wagner, so muc so, the carvings that adorn the King's bed were inspired by a Wagner opera.

Even before he died, the eccentric king had already become something of a legend for his reclusive nature.  The king's refusal to react rationally led the government to declare him insane and depose him in 1886 – a procedure not provided for in the Bavarian constitution. The next day he died in mysterious circumstances in Lake Starnberg, together with the psychiatrist who had certified him as insane.

Hohenschwangau, the king's boyhood home is set in the shadow of the larger and grander Neuschwanstein.

The walk up the hill to the castle turned out to be a pretty good hike, fortunately, the halfway point included this pretty awesome overlook of Schwansee, the lake that lies in the foothills of the castles.  You can see Hohenschwangau behind Jeff's shoulder.

Here we are standing in the entry gate of the castle.

Sorry .. but as usual .. no photos inside.  However, Jeff snapped this photo from the window of the gift shop.  With a view like this ...