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.

Despite its iconic "medieval" appearance, Neuschwanstein was definitely not built first; in fact, it is one of the youngest castles in Germany. Construction only began in 1869 under King Ludwig II, long after the era of true defensive fortresses had ended. It was built as a "historicist" tribute to the Middle Ages, meant to be a private retreat rather than a military stronghold. For comparison, most of the "authentic" medieval castles you see along the Rhine or in the UK were built between the 11th and 14th centuries. Neuschwanstein was actually equipped with "ultra-modern" 19th-century technology, including flush toilets, a battery-powered bell system for servants, and central heating. By the time it was being built, some of its medieval inspirations—like the Wartburg Castle—were already nearly 800 years old.

No, Neuschwanstein Castle was not the first castle built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. In fact, it was his third and most famous project.

Here’s the order of his major castle constructions:

1. Hohenschwangau Castle (Schloss Hohenschwangau):

   • Important Note: This castle was not built by Ludwig II, but it was where he grew up. It was rebuilt and redecorated by his father, King Maximilian II, starting in 1832. Ludwig spent much of his childhood here, and its romantic medieval themes deeply influenced him.

2. Linderhof Palace (Schloss Linderhof):

   • Built: 1869–1878 (construction began before Neuschwanstein)
   • This was the first of Ludwig’s own castles to be completed and the only one he lived to see finished. It’s a small but opulent palace inspired by French Rococo and the absolutist monarchy of the Sun King, Louis XIV of France.

3. Neuschwanstein Castle:

   • Built: 1869–1886 (construction started the same year as Linderhof, but took far longer)
   • Although building started in 1869, Neuschwanstein was far from complete when Ludwig died in 1886. It was opened to the public just weeks after his death. It was his personal fantasy of an idealized medieval knight’s castle, inspired by Wagnerian operas.

4. Herrenchiemsee Palace (Neues Schloss Herrenchiemsee):

   • Built: 1878–1886 (started after the others)
   • This was Ludwig’s final and most expensive project, an incomplete replica of the Palace of Versailles, built on an island in Lake Chiemsee.

In summary: The castle Ludwig grew up in