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How long does it take to build Neuschwanstein Castle?

Building the castle took more than 20 years. One of the first things worked into the design was portraits of Ludwig II and the coins utilized while he was in power, a decorative tradition observed by many rulers of this time. The Gateway Building was finished in 1872, which is when work on the palace began.



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Most of It is Unfinished You wouldn't know it from the outside, but much of Neuschwanstein is unfinished inside. This is due to King Ludwig running out of money for its construction. The king loved to build, and he has two other castles in Bavaria that you can visit.

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Ludwig's weird fantasy Neuschwanstein Castle has become not only a symbol for all of Germany (thanks to Disney) but also a huge cash machine, forking more than $15,600,000 annually to the Bavarian treasury.

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The famous Singers' Hall and the magnificent Throne Hall have already been completely restored. The entire work is expected to be completed in the course of spring 2024.

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Most of It is Unfinished You wouldn't know it from the outside, but much of Neuschwanstein is unfinished inside. This is due to King Ludwig running out of money for its construction.

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Neuschwanstein Castle Facts
  • Construction Spanned Almost Two Decades. ...
  • King Ludwig II's Personal Retreat. ...
  • The Castle Has Over 200 Rooms. ...
  • Built on the Site of Two Former Castles. ...
  • The Castle Has a Hidden Grotto. ...
  • Inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's Castle. ...
  • Known for specific horror stories! ...
  • The Castle's Name Means New Swan Castle


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Today, Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. More than 1.4 million people per year visit the castle. That's about 4,000 visitors per day. During the summer, upwards of 6,000 people walk the halls of the castle each day.

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Neuschwanstein Castle, which literally translates to New Swan Stone castle, is located in the Bavaria region of southeastern Germany.

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Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century historicist palace on a rugged hill of the foothills of the Alps in the very south of Germany, just north of Austria.

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Get to know this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Schwangau, Bavaria. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 30 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

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In both castles, visitors will have to climb stairs during the tour. In Hohenschwangau Castle, there are approximately 90 steps, in Neuschwanstein Castle, approximately 350 steps.

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While the construction of Neuschwanstein Castle broke ground during the summer of 1868, the first foundation stone wasn't laid until September 5, 1869. By 1873, parts of the castle could be occupied by Ludwig II, though he never lived to see his full vision realized.

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Children and young people under 18 are free. Important note for families to book online: Children need a free ticket to enter the castle (booking fee 2.50 euros).

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The palace has appeared prominently in several movies such as Helmut Käutner's Ludwig II (1955) and Luchino Visconti's Ludwig (1972), both biopics about the King; the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), the spoof comedy Spaceballs, and the war drama The Great Escape (1963).

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Neuschwanstein, a Bavarian castle commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, was the inspiration for King Stefan's castle in Sleeping Beauty. However, like the queen's castle in Snow White, Disney added a few elements to create a more mystical feel.

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The Neuschwanstein castle was built for only one person – King Ludwig II. Neuschwanstein is so immense that on some days, it is visited by up to 6000 tourists. Ludwig slept only 11 nights in the castle. Ludwig was Richard Wagner's patron, and Wagner's operas inspired many castle rooms.

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His palace is wallpapered with misty medieval themes — brave knights, fair maidens, and scenes from Wagnerian operas. But even as he strove to evoke medieval grandeur, he embraced Industrial Age technology. Neuschwanstein — only about as old as the Eiffel Tower — had electricity, running water, and a telephone.

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