Despite its massive exterior and the original plan for over 200 rooms, only 14 or 15 rooms were fully finished and decorated before King Ludwig II's mysterious death in 1886. The completed spaces include the most spectacular areas of the castle, such as the Throne Room (which, ironically, never contained a throne), the King's Bedroom with its incredibly detailed woodcarvings, the Singers' Hall, and the Grotto—a man-made cave with artificial stalactites and colored lighting. The vast majority of the castle remains a "shell" of bare brick and stone, closed to the public and used for storage or administrative purposes. In 2026, guided tours focus exclusively on these finished third and fourth-floor rooms, which showcase the King's obsession with the operas of Richard Wagner and medieval legends. The contrast between the opulent, finished suites and the cavernous, unfinished lower levels serves as a haunting reminder of the King's tragic end and the financial ruin that halted the construction of his "Fairytale Castle."