Neuschwanstein Castle

After a heavy day at Dachau, we had a much more enjoyable day at Neuschwanstein Castle!  We spent the entire day traveling there via train with some other students from EF.  This visit was on Thursday, June 4. 

There were no photos allowed inside the castle.  King Ludwig only ever finished a few rooms, his throne room (but no throne), bedroom, theater, grotto, personal chapel and a few others.  Most of the castle is unfinished and empty. The setting, however, is magical.  The view from any angle of either the castle or the surrounding scenery is stunning.  

By the way, I learned that Ludwig’s father started to build a castle here, calling it “swan stone”.  The swan was an important symbol to the royal family.  Either his father never finished the castle, or it was torn down, or something. At any rate, Ludwig loved building castles and he chose his father’s site for the “New swan stone” - Neuschwanstein.

Group photo in the courtyard of Neuschwanstein.

Grace and Maria get a photo with some other girls from EF that traveled with us that day.  

Can you see some familiar faces up top?

Casey and Tate win the fun photo award.

We have our own Ludwig wanna-bes….

Scenic photo on the balcony of the castle, with another EF student who joined us. 

Stunning views everywhere.

A short hike away from the castle is the “Marien” bridge.  From here you can get spectacular views of the castle and scenery.  Unfortunately, it is a very popular place and often very crowded.

Lots of smiling faces of new friends and old.

View of the castle from the bridge.