The primary real-world inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland (and the one seen in the Walt Disney Pictures logo) is the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. Built in the late 19th century by King Ludwig II, the "Fairytale King," Neuschwanstein was designed as a romanticized version of a medieval castle, featuring slender towers, white limestone walls, and a picturesque location atop a rugged hill. Walt Disney visited the castle during a trip to Europe and was so moved by its silhouettes and theatrical design that he used it as the direct model for the centerpiece of his first theme park. While Neuschwanstein is the most direct influence, Disney’s Imagineers also drew architectural elements from other European landmarks, such as the Château d'Ussé in France, which is locally known as the "Castle of Sleeping Beauty" because it was the setting that inspired Charles Perrault to write the original fairytale. Today, Neuschwanstein remains one of the most visited castles in the world, largely due to its status as the real-life counterpart to the most famous castle in cinematic history.