A Fairy Tale Castle

As I've been shopping for the Christmas season, I've noticed all the Disney princess items available in the stores. Everyone loves the fairy tale castles and the make believe lives of their inhabitants. There is a castle said to be the inspiration for the trademark Cinderella castle at Disney World that has quite a tale surrounding it. I'm not so sure it can be labeled as a happily-ever-after story.

Neuschwanstein Castle was a dream of King Ludwig II who hoped to build an even more beautiful castle than the one he grew up in, Hohenschwangau, just below where Neuschwanstein would be built. The area is absolutely beautiful and the legend of a swan knight, Lohengrin, immortalized in a Wagner opera, gives it a romantic flavor.

Unfortunately Ludwig began to live in a fantasy world. His monarchy was more in name only. The castle plans were changed often according to his whim and eventually with his unusual behavior, he was declared insane. He died under unusual circumstances shortly after moving into the castle.

I remember some of the legends and myths and tales that surround the area and the castle were quite interesting and entertaining. It's a great tour if you are traveling and can stop there
.