Neuschwanstein Castle

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Neuschwanstein Castle Schloss Neuschwanstein (German)

Neuschwanstein as seen from the Marienbrücke Building Architectural style

Neo-romanticism

Town

Hohenschwangau

Country

Bavaria, Germany

Client

Ludwig II of Bavaria

Owner

Bavaria

Coordinates

47°33′27″N 10°45′00″E47.5575, 10.75Coordinates:

47°33′27″N 10°45′00″E

47.5575, 10.75

Construction Started

5 September 1869 Design team

Architect

Christian Jank, Eduard Riedel, Georg Dollmann

Neuschwanstein Castle (German: Schloss Neuschwanstein, lit. New Swan Stone palace; pronounced [nɔɪˈʃvaːnʃtaɪ̯n]) is a 19th-century Bavarian palace on a rugged hill near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner, the King's inspiring muse. Although public photography of the interior is not permitted,[1] it is the most photographed building in Germany[2] and is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Ludwig did not allow visitors to his castles, but since its opening in 1886, over 50 million people have visited the Neuschwanstein Castle.[3] About 1.3 million people visit annually, with up to 6,000 per day in the summer.[4] The palace has appeared in several movies, and was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park. The palace is owned by the state of Bavaria, unlike nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, which is owned by Franz, Duke of Bavaria. The Free State of Bavaria has spent more than €14.5 million on Neuschwanstein's maintenance, renovation and visitor services since 1990.[4]

Contents [hide] • • • •

1 History 2 Architecture 3 In popular culture 4 References

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5 External links

[edit] History This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2008)

1890s photochrom print depicting the front façade and surroundings The conception of the palace was outlined by Ludwig II in a letter to Richard Wagner, dated May 13, 1868;

“

It is my intention to rebuild the old castle ruin at Hohenschwangau near the Pollat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles... the location is the most beautiful one could find, holy and unapproachable, a worthy temple for the divine friend who has brought salvation and true blessing to the world.

”

The castle under construction in 1886 The foundation stone of the building was laid September 5, 1869. Neuschwanstein was designed by Christian Jank, a theatrical set designer, rather than an architect, which says much regarding Ludwig's intentions and explains much of the fantastical nature of the resulting building. The architectural expertise, vital to a building in such a perilous site, was provided first by the Munich court architect Eduard Riedel and later by Georg Dollmann, son-in-law of Leo von Klenze. The palace was originally called New Hohenschwangau Castle until the king's death, when it was re-named Neuschwanstein, the castle of the Swan Knight Lohengrin, of Wagner's opera of the same name. In origin, the palace has been the Schwanstein, the seat of the knights of Schwangau, whose emblem had been the swan. Neuschwanstein was near completion when, in 1886, the King was declared insane by a State Commission under Dr. von Gudden and arrested at the palace. The King could hardly control himself as he asked von Gudden, "How can you declare me insane? You have not yet examined me!"[5] Taken to Schloss Berg, he was found on June 13, 1886, in shallow water in Lake Starnberg, drowned, along with von Gudden, the psychiatrist who certified him. The exact circumstances of his and von Gudden's deaths remain unexplained. It is generally thought[who?]

that Ludwig's deposition was brought about by the Wittlesbachs in response to his extravagance with the dynasty's private funds in projects such as Neuschwanstein.[citation needed]

[edit] Architecture This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2008)

View of Neuschwanstein from nearby cliff The palace comprises a gatehouse, a Bower, the Knight's House with a square tower, and a Palas, or citadel, with two towers to the Western end. The effect of the whole is highly theatrical, both externally and internally.[citation needed] The king's influence is apparent throughout, and he took a keen personal interest in the design and decoration. An example can be seen in his comments, or commands, regarding a mural depicting Lohengrin in the Palas; "His Majesty wishes that … the ship be placed further from the shore, that Lohengrin's neck be less tilted, that the chain from the ship to the swan be of gold and not of roses, and finally that the style of the castle shall be kept medieval."[citation needed] The suite of rooms within the Palas contains the Throne Room, Ludwig's suite, the Singers' Hall, and the Grotto. Throughout, the design pays homage to the German legends of Lohengrin, the Swan Knight. Hohenschwangau, where Ludwig spent much of his youth, had decorations of these sagas. These themes were taken up in the operas of Richard Wagner. Many of the interior rooms remain undecorated, with only 14 rooms finished before Ludwig's death.[6] With the palace under construction at the King's death, one of the major features of the palace remained unbuilt. A massive keep was planned for the middle of the upper courtyard but was never built, at the decision of the King's family. The foundation for the keep is visible in the upper courtyard.

Painting of the Throne Room, looking from the throne The finished rooms include the throne room, which features a glass gem-encrusted chandelier; all Twelve Apostles, painted on the wall that surrounds the pedestal for the throne - the actual throne was never finished; and Jesus, behind the pedestal. The King's master suite includes a four-post bed hand carved of wood, the canopy of which is carved as the cathedral towers from every cathedral in Bavaria, a secret flushing toilet (which flushes with water collected from an aqueduct) and a running sink in the shape of a swan. The palace also includes an oratory, accessible from the dressing room and the master suite, which features an ivory crucifix, a room made to look like a cavern, a full kitchen equipped with hot and cold running water and heated cupboards, servants' quarters, a study, a dining room and the Singers' Hall. The Singers' Hall is a venue for performances by musicians and playwrights. The King built it for Wagner as a place to write and perform plays. The King died before watching a performance in the Singers' Hall, but it has been used since the King's death. Despite its medieval look, the construction of Neuschwanstein required the modern technology of the day, and the palace is a marvel of technological structural achievements. Steam engines, electricity, modern venting, plumbing and heating pipes are all part of the structure.[7] It is now almost forgotten that Ludwig II was a patron of modern inventions and that he pioneered the introduction of electricity into public life in Bavaria. His new palaces were the first buildings to use electricity (i.e. the Venus Grotto at Linderhof) and other modern conveniences. Through his building activities, Ludwig kept many particular crafts alive, the knowledge and expertise of which would have died out otherwise, and he provided work and income to artisans, builders, plasterers, and decorators.

[edit] In popular culture

The Marienbrücke provides a side view of Neuschwanstein

• • • • • •

Neuschwanstein is featured on the cover of the Blur single "Country House". Neuschwanstein is featured in the movies Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm. Neuschwanstein and its interiors were heavily featured in the video game The Beast Within: A Gabriel Knight Mystery.[8] Neuschwanstein is to appear on a €2 commemorative coin for the German Bundesländer series in 2012. In 2007, it was a finalist in the selection of the New Seven Wonders of the World.[9] As it was not voted on the top positions it now is advertised as the 8th world wonder. In the Game Cube remake of Resident Evil Neuschwanstein is seen several times throughout the game in various paintings in the background. It is supposed to represent the Spencer Mansion, though it bears no similarities to the in-game rendering of the mansion.[citation needed]

[edit] References 1. ^ "Neuschwanstein Castle: Admission Charges and Tickets: Visitor Information". Retrieved on 2007-03-10. 2. ^ "Dummies::Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau: Castles in the Air". Adapted From: Germany For dummies 2nd Edition. Retrieved on 2006-06-09. 3. ^ "Information about Ludwig on the Neuschwanstein official website". Retrieved on 2008-01-26. 4. ^ a b "General information about Neuschwanstein on the official website". Retrieved on 2007-1227. 5. ^ Sailer, Anton, Castles, Mystery, and Music, the Legend of Ludwig II, Munich, 1983 reprint: 136, ISBN 3-7654-1898-6 6. ^ Desing, Julius (1998). in Bonny Schmid-Burleson (trans.): The Royal Castle of Neuschwanstein. Lechbruck, Germany: Verlag Wilhelm Kienberger. 7. ^ "Neuschwanstein Castle - One Of The Worlds Most Beautiful". 8. ^ Walkthrough of The Beast Within: A Gabriel Knight Mystery with details about featuring Neuschwanstein Castle 9. ^ "Neuschwanstein Castle at New7wonders,". Retrieved on 2008-01-26. • • •

Blunt, Wilfred, The Dream King - Ludwig II of Bavaria, Hamish Hamilton, London, 1970, ISBN 241-01899-4 Neuschwanstein Castle - the Official Guide, Bayerische Schlosseverwaltung, undated. Spangenberg, Marcus, (English Translation Katherine Vanovitch) "The Throne Room in Schloss Neuschwanstein. Ludwig II of Bavaria and his Vision of Divine Right, [Schnell & Steiner], Regensburg, 1999, ISBN 3-7954-1233-1 Name: Neuschwanstein Location: Near Munich Country: Germany Review this castle

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NEUSCHWANSTEIN is included in our 15 days castles tour and in our Fantasy Castles Tour. Visit our site www.castlesoftheworld.com

King Ludwig II said. "I intend to rebuild the old castle ruins of Hohenschwangau by the Pollat Gorge in the genuine style of the old German Knightly fortresses........the spot is one of the most beautiful that one could ever find. "

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Neuschwanstein Castle, royal palace in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, the most famous of three royal palaces built for Louis II of Bavaria, sometimes referred to as Mad King Ludwig, who grew up nearby at Hohenschwangau Castle

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Begun in 1869 and left unfinished at Louis's death in 1886, the castle is the embodiment of 19th century romanticism. In a fantastical imitation of a medieval castle, Neuschwanstein is set with towers and spires and is spectacularly sited on a high point over the P�llat River gorge.

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The construction of the castle was carried out according to a well thought-out plan. The castle was equipped with all kinds of technical conveniences which were very modern, if not to say revolutionary at that time. Running water on all floors. The spring which supplied the castle with excellent drinking water was located 200 meters above the castle. There were toilets equipped with automatic flushing on every floor. A warm air heating system for the entire building. A hot water system for the kitchen and the bath.

The entire facade of the castle was covered with slabs of limestone. This material was found in Alterschrofen near Swan Lake (Swansee). The supporting walls were built of brick •

Two of our team members visiting the castle.

The Throne Room was created as the Grail-Hall of Parsifal. It was designed in elaborate Byzantine style. It was inspired by the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (now Istanbul), the 2 story throne room with its series of pillars of imitation porphyry and lapis lazuli, was completed in the year of the Kings death in 1886. The most important object of this room, the throne, is missing. •

King Louis was a patron of the German composer Richard Wagner, and the thirdfloor rooms reflect Louis's love of the legends used by Wagner in his operas: for Tannh�user, a winter garden and stalactite grotto; for Lohengrin, the great chamber; and the unfinished Byzantine throne room, its vaulted ceiling supported by inlaid stone columns and decorated with stars. The Singers Hall on the fourth

floor, with a coffered ceiling, is dedicated to the life of Parsifal, hero of another famous Wagner opera. •

Singer's Hall The Singer's Hall occupies the entire 4th floor of the castle and is a copy of the Minstrels Hall of the Wartburg Castle.

Bedroom In contrast to the other rooms, the Bedroom is sumptuously carved in the Neo-Gothic style. 14 woodcarvers are said to have worked 4 1/2 years to create this room. The Monarch's bed is crowned by the most intricate woodcarving and covered with richly Embroider draperies.

Beautiful chandeliers are seen through out the castle.

The Paintings in the gallery: Paintings illustrate the saga of Parsifal. Parsifal meets a knight's family on a crusade on Good Friday. It was the king's wish that this painting be unveiled on Good Friday 1884. Gahmuret meets Queen Herzeloide who has proclaimed that a tournament be held, the prize for the winner being the crown and her hand in marriage. Gahmuret is victorious and marries Herzeloide. She is Parsifal's future mother.

The kitchen is in a large hall with a vaulted ceiling supported by two massive pillars. A large free standing stove is to be found in the center of the kitchen. A built in basin for fish can be seen under the window. It has a faucet in the form of a swan's head. • •

The floor plan for the castle.

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Winter or Summer, NEUSCHWANSTEIN, is a great place to visit.

Neuschwanstein Constructed 1869-1892

It is surely the most famous castle in the world — and, like its builder, one of the most misunderstood. Neuschwanstein castle is a structure of contrast, irony, and

mystery — and beauty. When it was built, the castle was not known as Neuschwanstein. Ludwig II wrote his friend Richard Wagner in May 1868: “I intend to rebuild the old castle ruins of Hohenschwangau by the Pöllat gorge (Pöllatschlucht) in the genuine style of the old German knightly fortresses...”

Neuschwanstein looks very different from various angles. This view is looking up from the meadow far below the castle. PHOTO © Hyde Flippo

Just as his father had done before him, Ludwig wanted to build a splendid new castle upon the ruins of another. His new project was known as the “Neue Burg Hohenschwangau” (“New Castle Hohenschwangau”). Only later, when the castle was opened to the public on August 1, 1886, just weeks after Ludwig’s death, did the edifice come to be known as “Neuschwanstein” (“new swan stone”). One of biggest ironies of this castle is that a structure built to be a private refuge, “sacred and out of reach” (“heilig und unnahbar”), should now be host to thousands of tourists each year. Another irony: although it was built largely as a stage for Wagnerian productions (“a worthy temple for the divine friend [Wagner]”), the composer never set foot in Neuschwanstein. Nor was the castle’s throne room was ever completed in time to contain a throne. To execute his dream project, the king commissioned a stage designer as architect. The castle that Christian Jank designed for Ludwig inspires awe and surprise in visitors to this day. But in part because the Disneyesque image of Neuschwanstein has become such a cliché, it is easy to dismiss it as an ostentatious example of poor taste, an anachronistic piece of foolishness. Nevertheless, ever since it was opened to the public, Neuschwanstein has acted as a powerful magnet. The castle’s unique location combined with Ludwig’s “fantasy in stone” creates a special magic. But like any work of art, the more one knows about Neuschwanstein, the more one can appreciate it.

The engineering architect was Eduard Riedel (after 1874, Georg Dollmann; from 1886 to 1892 Julius Hofmann), and Neuschwanstein is an engineering marvel. The castle’s construction lasted 23 years, until long after Ludwig’s death. Although built in the Germanic late Romanesque style of the 13th century, the castle was equipped with the best technology available in the late 1860s. Quite unlike any real medieval castle, Neuschwanstein has a forced-air central heating system. Its rarely-used kitchen was of the most advanced design. The winter garden features a large sliding glass door. Out of all of Ludwig’s amazing “fantasies in stone,” Neuschwanstein seems to be the most fantastic. With some of the structure still not totally complete, Ludwig moved into Neuschwanstein’s finished rooms for the first time in 1884. The king spent eleven nights in his dream castle from 27 May to 8 June. Contrary to popular legend, Ludwig’s building projects did not bankrupt the Bavarian treasury. Neuschwanstein, like Ludwig’s other castles, was financed entirely from the king’s own funds.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Click here for virtual tour

Schloss Neuschwanstein ("New Swan Stone Castle") is one of the most beautiful and famous castles in Germany. Originally ordered to be built by King Ludwig II, this fairy tale castle is the epitome of neoromantic style. The famous German castle overlooks the picturesque Hohenschwangau valley and is located only a short distance from the popular tourist town, Fussen.

Construction on the castle began in 1869, but given the exact tastes of King Ludwig II, progress was very slow going. As an example, it took 14 carpenters four and a half years just to complete the woodwork in Ludwig's bedroom. The King was an immense devotee of Richard Wagner, even going as far as naming the castle after a character in one of Wagner's operas--the Swan Knight. In none of the other castles in Germany will you find more instances of Ludwig's fondness for Wagner's work. Tapestries depicting scenes from Wagner's opera can be found inside.

Construction was halted on the castle and King Ludwig II was removed by power due to intrigue within his own cabinet. The King himself was rarely concerned with matters of state and was sometimes thought to suffer from hallucinations. However, what frightened the cabinet were the rumors of their possible removal. Under Bavarian law, a King could be removed from power if he were found unfit to rule. The cabinet produced this report and deposed of the King. However, Ludwig's mysterious death--ruled a suicide at the time--suggests that the cabinet was not content to merely remove him from power. This bit of mystery makes the atmosphere of Neuschwanstein one of the most intriguing of the castles in Germany.

Unfortunately, many of the rooms in the enchanting castle

Neuschwanstein Castle Bavarian Department of state-owned Castles, Gardens and Lakes

Europe Ads Germany Castle Neuschwanstein Tour Linderhof Castle The Neuschwanstein Germany Europe Mad Ludwig's Dream - Neuschwanstein Castle: Perched over one of the world's prettiest gorges, Neuschwanstein Castle is everyone's fantasy dream. It's the image you've seen everywhere that makes you want to start planning your trip to Germany. Why not rent that Porsche and hit the romantic road? We'll give you what you need to know. Neuschwanstein Castle -- Location: Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the most popular destinations in Europe, is located in the German State of Bavaria close to the Germany's border with Austria, not far from the popular ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The closest airport is Munich, 128km to the north east. Tickets and Guided Tours of Neuschwanstein Castle: Entrance tickets to the castle must be purchased at the ticket center in Hohenschwangau before you start the climb to the castle. Cost is 9 Euros for an adult. The mandatory tour takes a little over half hour. There are 165 stairs to climb on the tour, and 181 to descend. A recent traveler reports that there is now a cafe inside. Tours for the disabled in wheelchair and walkers are held on Wednesdays. See the links for more information. Best View Spots of Neuschwanstein Castle: You can get good pictures of the castle and waterfall from Marienbruecke (Mary's Bridge). Between the bridge and the castle is a view of Hohenschwangau castle. Photography is not allowed inside the castle. For pictures of Neuschwansein, see our Neuschwanstein Castle Pictures. Getting to Neuschwanstein Castle: By Rail: Take the train to the town of Füssen, then bus 9713 to Hohenschwangau. By car: Take the A7 to Füssen, then on to Hohenschwangau where you'll find parking for a 4 euro charge. From Hohenschwangau you can walk to the castle in 30 minutes. You can get within a 5 minute walk on horse-drawn carriage for 5 euros uphill and 2.50 euros on the return downhill. A Bus is also available from Schlosshotel Lisl, Neuschwansteinstraße in Hohenschwangau. Neuschwanstein - Where to Stay: I recommend staying right in Hohenschwangau--See Staying in Hohenschwangau when visiting the King's Castles. The Hotel Mueller has views of both castles and a good restaurant. You can also stay nearby in Fussen, as many do. Neuschwanstein Castle Description & History: Neuschwanstein Castle was built by King Ludwig II, also known as Mad King Ludwig.to replicate medieval architecture and to pay homage to the operas of Wagner. You may think you've already seen it--it's Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle, but real.

The foundation stone was set on September 5th, 1869. When Ludwig II died in 1886, the castle was still not complete. The building site near Pöllat Gorge is probably one of the most beautiful in the world.

Neuschwanstein Castle Interesting Facts: • • • • • •

The Castle is under tremendous tourism pressure; in summer over 6000 people wind through the castle per day--1.3 million per year. Since 1990, the state has spent 11.2 million euros on renovation and maintenance of the castle and improvement of the visitor service. Neuschwanstein Castle was opened to the public 7 weeks after the death of King Ludwig II. Although the Castle was designed to look medieval, it had quite modern refinements: hot air, running water, automatic flush toilets were all part of the royal residence. The kitchen at Neuschwanstein has been preserved in its entirety, featuring automatic spits and cupboards that could be heated with hot air from the large kitchen stove. From Neuschwanstein Castle there are great views of alpine lakes, especially the Alpsee. Hiking trails abound near the Alpsee, and the one circling the lake is protected as a nature reserve.

Around Neuschwanstein Castle Germany's "Romantic Road", which runs from Würzburg to Füssen can be combined with a visit to the castle. See our Romantic Road links for more.

"Our Castle

Story" By Terry & Kim Young

Imagine a panoramic view of the Alps snow covered mountaintops, freshly repainted and generously laid out country houses, with oversize balconies filled with red geranium pouring over richly carved wooden rails. In village homes immense wall paintings, depicting scenes from the Catholic belief still practiced regularly by most Bavarians. Now add to this fairytale setting, Neuschwanstein Castle, built by King Ludwig the II of Bavaria, and you find yourself in a wonderland. You most likely have seen Neuschwanstein Castle before; it inspired Walt Disney in designing Disneyland, and in movies shot, "Around the World in 80 days” in this unique location. Neuschwanstein, like an eagle’s nest, oversees the Hohneschwangau valley to Germany's North, while the backside is protected by steep mountain ranges. King Ludwig II was born in August of 1845 in Bavaria, which is now part of Germany. When his father died unexpectedly, Ludwig was to become King in 1864 at the tender age of eighteen. At the time of his coronation in 1869, Bavaria was a parliamentary monarchy much as England is today. The King received a salary and acted as the social head of the government but had only limited powers to run the country. Without real control with regard to the affairs of state, Ludwig's interest turned quickly to art, architecture, construction and music. The King had inherited an immense family fortune and saw no value in hoarding the funds in the bank, but rather decided to spend massive sums of money in the development of his interests, which included the employment of the Bavarian people and the development of the arts in his country. Many rumors and stories were developed around Ludwig, during and after his death. Like all geniuses, his peers were unable to understand his motivations. Called the "mad King of Bravura",

Ludwig was cursed with alcoholism and took certain drugs for his severe periodontal disease, which resulted in the loss of most of his teeth. At Linderhof palace King Ludwig had a dining table on an elevator that lifted to the dining room where he could eat alone; rumors abounded as to why he would do this. In truth, with little or no teeth, it was painful for him to eat, making him appear to be very untidy when eating. Accordingly, King Ludwig simply did not want his servants to see him. Building plans for his first palace “Linderhof” were completed in 1870. The construction was concluded over the next several years. A plan for Neuschwanstein, the fairytale castle was completed in 1868 and the foundation was begun in 1869. In 1873 Ludwig bought Herrenchiemsee Island and 1878 he started the foundation for a large palace on the scale of the French palace of Versailles, located outside Paris. Even with all three major projects going at once, Ludwig found time to design gardens, grottos, furniture, and paintings and was a patron of the great German opera composer Wagner. Wagner employed a set designer by the name of Christian Jank, who also became a personal artist for Ludwig and developed the artistic renderings and elevation drawing of Ludwig’s palaces and castles. Neuschwanstein castle was Ludwig’s favored project, but because certain elements were lacking, Ludwig and Jank were designing a new, more spectacular project to be named "Falkenstein". The Neuschwanstein castle project foot print is just shy of half an acre at approximately 19,466 square feet. The longest line in the project is 426 feet. The building footprints cover 8,366 square feet. This castle was under construction continually for 17 years and was 75% completed outside and 25% complete inside, at the time of Ludwig’s death. King Ludwig ll. died supposedly by drowning in Lake Stranberg in 1886 at the age of 41. Neuschwanstein castle is currently visited by over a million people yearly. In the fall of 1995 Burnet, Texas businessman and developer Mr. Terry Young and his wife Kim took a long awaited European vacation. One of their goals was to visit many of Europe’s great castles, in particular Neuschwanstein Castle. On their arrival at Neuschwanstein, the Young's took the standard English speaking tour of the castle, which is fairly limited since only approximately 25% of the interior is complete. At the end of the tour the Young's walked down a long gallery that led to the exit. The gallery walls were lined with many pictures and drawing of Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee. Mr. and Mrs. Young who were familiar with most of King Ludwig’s building projects noticed that several of the drawings did not appear to be anything that the King had built and they were very curious as to what these drawings represented. The Young's retraced their steps and found the young lady who had been their tour guide. They asked the guide to come with them to look at the drawings in question. Even though the guide insisted these were some of the original drawings of Neuschwanstein, the Young’s disagreed and asked if they could speak with the Castle Director. Being a pleasant young lady, she took the Young's to the first floor offices and introduced them to the director, who spoke very little English. He explained to the guide that the Young's were indeed correct! King Ludwig had been making plans to build another castle, to be called "Falkenstein". The castle was to be built approximately 20 kilometers from Fussen, which is the old town located just below Neuschwanstein. The ruins of Castle Falkenstein near Pfronten

The director went on to explain to the guide and the Young's that because of the disagreements over his construction projects with his uncle, King Ludwig had kept the Falkenstein project fairly quiet and had hidden the drawings in Neuschwanstein, where they remained for many years after Ludwig’s death. The King had purchased a 20-acre dolomite rock hill top where he planned to build the castle. This hill top was where the old dilapidated medieval castle Falkenstein lay in ruins. The Young's asked the director if they could be permitted to see the drawings in question. The director explained that he had only been director for eight months and the previous director Wilhelm Kienberger had taken the drawings with him to work on a book about King Ludwig. At the Young's request the director gave them the address in Lechbruch, Germany, where the former castle director now lived. Because of the Young's interest the director and the guide gave them a complete tour of the remaining unfinished sections of the castle normally closed to the general public. Terry and Kim were grateful and thanked both the Castle director and their guide. After leaving Neuschwanstein the Young's proceeded to Lechbruch to locate Mr. Kienberger. After a short time they arrived at the home and shop of Mr. Kienberger, who lived with his son. After explaining their interest, Mr. Kienberger was kind enough to make copies of Christian Janks artist rendering of Falkenstein Castle along with other minor sketches.

On their return flight to the United States, Mr. Young looked lovingly at Mrs. Young and said, “Sweetheart, what would you think about spending the next ten years or so, building our own Falkenstein Castle, in Texas?" To which Kim Young smiled and replied, "Why not!" The Castle Chapel, Knights Hall, and grounds are available for a limited number of weddings, charitable events, and as a motion picture and special project film site.