Neuschwanstein: A Bavarian Prince Reveals 5 Secrets About the World-Famous Disney Castle
Vložit
- čas přidán 6. 09. 2022
- Prince Leopold of Bavaria takes you on an exclusive tour of the famous castle commissioned by his ancestor, King Ludwig II, who had the castle built in the picturesque landscape of the Bavarian Allgäu in the 19th century. Today, the castle is one of Germany's most famous tourist attractions and is famous all over the world. On his guided tour, the prince will share 5 lesser-known facts about Neuschwanstein!
Which one do you find the most interesting?
CREDITS:
Report: Gerhard Sonnleitner
Camera: Rossi Krüger
Editor: Manuela Reuss
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to DW Travel
/ dwtravel
Would you like to find out more about DW Travel?
▸Website: dw.com/travel
▸Facebook: dw.travel
▸Instagram: dw_travel
DW Travel is showing you the captivating world of travel. Come along with us to regions and cities in Germany, throughout Europe and to far-away destinations.
#neuschwanstein #castle #germany #bavaria
I lived not far from the castle when I was a child. Anytime we had relatives visit from the U.S. we took them to visit here. It really is a beautiful place and now I'm so grateful for having that opportunity. My husband proposed to me there in 2012. It really holds a special place in my heart.
You are blessed
Great, nice place for a proposal 😊
Sounds perfect! You're fantastic!
Being built not from medieval times but rather not so long ago, 1886, this castle has the aesthetics of a modern comfortable residential building but keeping the charms of the old world castles. That’s why this is still my favourite castle of all times.
Mine, too
This show us how talented all workers, architects and artists who worked to build that castle were and not just the prince who ordered it. He just allowed all those people to come together. Without them wouldn't be any castle.
The most beautiful and magical place I've ever been. I'll never forget my trip to this castle 🏰
And to think Disney himself found inspiration from THIS castle!
@@projectjt3149 I already knew that Castle was inspired by the Sleeping Beauty Castle.
No surprise
Wow, I was there this morning. Still processing what I saw. Torn between narcissism, madness, and brilliance. The tour gave us absolutely no clue to what Ludwig accomplished for his subjects.
Did you like it in the end?
Poverty
He had no power. Because he had no power, he chose to spend what he could, on his dreams.
I remember visiting this castle when I was younger.
Although the castle itself was incredible, the greatest memory of it was of an elderly asain man I met outside the gates while we were waiting for it to open.
Turns out he was a WWII japanese pilot that was actually a part of the mission bombing pearl harbor.
He told me his story and was crying by the end of it.
He knew I was an american and he gave me a hug telling me he was so sorry for what he did.
such a sweet man he was.
thats beautiful.. God bless both of you
I visited it in the winter of 1981 while on my 1st of 3 tours in Germany with the Army. Still got the pictures I took of it. Definitely one of the most impressive places in Germany to visit especially with snow all around.
I was there in 1994 🤠
I read Ludwig's biography, and I was touched... his life was a tragedy. His deep love for Elizabeth, the war with Germany and the end of the independance of Bavaria... I think he was not crazy at all. He was just very sensitive, and disappointed by a tragic life.
He was obviously murdered.
YES!!
Rumor has it he was murder not for his building castle but he willingly surrender his sovereignty to Prussia three northern neighbors.
I don't think that he was the right man for the job.. he should've abdicated.
could it be he murdered for regretted joining the germany empire? he doesnt even come to kaiser wilhelm coronation
Managed to tick this off my bucket list last week after a 50 year wait. It was fantastic and lived up to all expectations.
Ludwig was a brilliant and lavish patron of the arts, effectively he personally made sure that Wagner could get to complete his Magnum Opus, Der Ring des Nibelungen, and to a large extent that the Bayreuther Festspiele could be funded and realized. When the two met, Wagner was despairing of ever getting to see his visions of a new kind of opera staged and played, but Ludwig backed him and also bankrolled him during the years when he completed Siegfried and composed much if Götterdämmerung.
The castle is a testament to this extravagant wish to turn artistic dreams into reality. Not a great king in political terms, but one of the greatest patrons of the arts of the 19th century.
Castle is testament of ludicrous autocratic system that steals from ordinary people till the point that there is no more to steal!!!
Exactly
Went there in the early '60's when Dad was stationed in Stuttgart. Jumped out of my seat when I saw it in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang".
Ludwig was an artist and this is his masterpiece.
My wife worked on conserving and restoring the artwork in this castle. I really need to visit it myself someday as well.
Great video. I recently watched the video on Wartburg castle and they mentioned Neuschwanstein as one of the castles that was influenced by it. You can really see the design similarities in this video. I really missed out on this one. When I studied abroad in Kassel in the late 90s, my group spent two weeks in St. Johann, Austria and a week in Munich to study up before the main program started. We were supposed to visit Neuschwanstein before we headed from Munich to Kassel, but ended up running out of time. It's the "poster child" of castles. It's not just one of the most photographed, but probably has the most published photographs. It's been used in movies, on book covers, influenced theme park attractions (not just Disney), and has a spread in just about every castle book on Germany and Europe in general. It's hard not to admire Ludwig II's creativity and vision and lament his passing at a relatively young age. You can see his sarcophagus in the crypt under St. Michael's in Munich. This castle is right next to Burg Eltz on the top tier of my bucket list.
I visited this beautiful castle in May 2022. Awesome. I would love to spend a night or two in such a place.
I saw this years ago, it's a real fairytale castle😄💖🏈🇺🇲👍 thanks for posting!!!!
Thanks for watching!
The Movie Sleeping Beauty Castle actually that Castle.
Eventually older than our Château de Versailles (Baroque and Renaissance style)
A few corrections:
1.)Ludwig II WAS interested in politics - and actually VERY MUCH so! He informed himself every day what was going on.
2.) Though the diagnosis of his mental condition leading to his detainment was bogus, I would wager that there were, in fact a few things wrong with him.
For instance: His intention had been that after his death, Neuschwanstein should get leveled to the ground.
„Normal people“ ever getting to walk it’s corridors would have been a nightmare to him.
Lol you're going to correct his actual descendant, a Bavarian prince?? Yeah ok lol
@@semiramisbonaparte1627 You're going to think Ludwig told the prince himself as if he's lived for that long to know what he is saying is true?
Hah, and then the same “normal people” hail and glorify him, while he despised them.
Truly, some people are born sheep and willing to be slaves.
I like how the secret door has a very visible handle
There might be several of these rings in the walls. A ring the size of a large coin is really not that obvious of a handle especially in a dimmed room
So grateful I had the opportunity to see this extraordinary castle and the the exquisite surroundings, absolutely beautiful and magical, an experience I will never forget 💜
I was there in June 1970 when I was 16 years old Unforgettable place hard to imagine it could be built where it was most astonishing place I've ever seen or been inside of
You should go again!
The prince offers us a phenomenal tour!
I'm German & went there with my Russian relatives in the winter. It looked magical with all that snow. Almost like a fairy tale! 👸😍 I wouldn't want to live there in the winter. Even with the heating it would still be too chilly in these huge rooms. 😅
Come and check our "Château de Versailles" Palace of Versailles. It's even more beautiful than Neuschwaistein
fairy tale is the perfect description considering it's the inspiration for the Disney Castle
Your comment makes want to go!
@@linxu1914 let's goo 😅
Oops 😬
Neuschwanstein Castle.. is the castle of all castles 🏰. We had a big poster of it on the wall as a kid. I visited many European castles, but Neuschwanstein castle is the one that I have yet to visit... Years ago, we only went up to the Black Forest in Germany 🌲
Not sure if you have visited Burg Eltz yet but that one is also highly recommendable and an actual medieval castle from the 12th century still inhabited by its family
@@hmvollbanane1259 No, I have not visited the Burg Eltz castle, but I only saw some castles along the roads by the Moselle river... and the one we visited there was Cochem Castle up on the hill...
Sehr schone! Not only is the castle fascinating, we really enjoyed the horse drawn carriage ride through the snow up to it. King Ludwig II may have been a dreamer, but to quote Einstein, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." "For knowledge is limited to all we know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." Gross Gott.
Such a magnificent German castle. And, a tribute to Ludwig, who was a real visionary. It is particularly beautiful in winter when its covered with snow! I'm amazed at the skills of the masonry workers, stone masons, carpenters, architects, plumbers, and a myriad of other craftsmen who created it. I wish someone (the state?) would step in and complete it.
This castle was part of the last days of World War 2 when art looted from France which was found and recovered in 1945. It was a good piece of the plot of the film The Monuments Men.
Why?!
@@stephankruger5545 Quite frankly with all of the art taken from all over continental Europe including France there's a woman in the French Resistance named Rose Valan who worked at a gallery in Paris during the Occupation. Claire Simone was based on Rose and her secret filing of art taken from Paris in the Monuments Men
@@johnpluta1768 That's her. Allright. Vive la France
Loved your tour. Much of that wasn't available to see in the 1970s when I visited. Thank you !
This is the most beautiful castle in the world. Its truly enchanted with the surrounding lakes and scenery. The Germans are masters in anything the build. Awesome video. Greetings from South Africa 🙏🏿
Not cars or tanks
@@CH-vv2hr Tanks? Germany is world leader in armored fighting vehicle technology.
@@jonny2954 Russia is actually
@@CH-vv2hr Yes, of course. A country that only managed to build their first fully indigenous thermal imaging system as late as 2016 and is still not able to mass produce them in 2023 sure is world market leader in AFV development...
Modern Russian tanks use French Thales Catherine FC thermal imagers or license produced version of the sight. They are far, far away from being a market leader in anything AFV related.
@@jonny2954 Russia is still a Super power, nonetheless... they have never lost a full blown war unless they simply pulled out like in Finland. Russia's current war plan is to exhaust NATO and it is working
Einfach fantastisch, ich zolle höchsten Respekt !
Потрясающий замок! Какая красота!
Been there, done that, it’s unbelievable. I thought southern Germany in the Bavarian border is just beautiful !
An enchanting Castle. I visited in 1988 alongwith our Teacher from Rothkirch Institut in Prien am Chiemsee.
Also went to the other 2 Castles of Konig Ludwig, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee
I’m going to visit this castle next August and I can’t wait to see it!! I visited Pierrefonds back in 2019, Ludwig II loved this French castle and got the inspiration to build Neuschwanstein from this castle. Which I totally understand because Pierrefonds is a magnificent piece of history.
Thanks for the tour family ❤
En mi primer viaje a Europa visite este castillo, es una maravilla. Desde la carretera para llegar al castillo, yo recuerdo que compre un reloj tradicional de una de las pequeñas tiendas que hay sobre la carretera y comí un delicioso pedazo de pastel con un café. Nunca había visto algo semejante en toda mi vida, entonces llegué al castillo y cuando subía las escaleras parecía que yo estaba viviendo un sueño. Siempre Lo Recuerdo. Alemania Es Un País Maravilloso. La gente es muy amable.🤩🗽🗺️🙏🕊️
Si, cierto. Alemania es maravilloso.
I honestly think is perfect how it is now. You would never even guess it wasent finished from a distance. Truly a iconic master piece
Thank you for this interesting video. He must be SO proud. Im going to visit this castle in beginning of August
Outstanding. Definitely achieved the fairytale theme. Actually more like he exceeded it. ❤️💯
Sadly, he did not get to enjoy it long. He was declared insane and whisked away to a house far from his beloved castle, which is still incomplete. Even the throne room is unfinished. There was NOTHING crazy about Ludwig. He was simply the kind of person who felt at peace in his castle, away from the hustles of the outside world. His death has been a mystery ever since but I still suspect he was murdered. I would love to take a trip back to Germany just to see his castle and palaces (Linderhof, which WAS completed) and pay homage to a man who loved castles more than anyone. And music lovers should take note: he loved Richard Wagner's music so much that he saved the composer from bankruptcy by becoming his main sponsor.
PS: one can also look up pictures for his proposed ultimate castle: Falkenstein. If this had been completed, he very likely was going to start construction of Falkenstein. The models I saw online are insanely beautiful. It truly epitomizes a fairy tale castle in the clouds and I dare say: it surpasses Neuschwanstein in sheer grandeur and beauty.
The video author fails to say from where the inspiration to build the castle came, "Palácio da Pena, Sintra, Portugal", built 30 years before , also by a Bavarian descendant, Prince-consort Ferdinand the second.
Amazing castle
This have to be the most beautiful royal ornate enchanted multidimensional castle ever build on planet earth.
been there. the horse drawn carriage was wonderful
Estuve en Neuschvaisrein ...
Las,expresiones ..lindo ..bello ..maravilloso quedan pequeñas ...
Amazing 👍👍
I visited this castle as a 7 year old when living in Malawi. Always a special day. Remember taking a horse cart to the castle in the mist and light rain with the castle appearing in the break of the mist. Want to go back one day.
When I was there, it had been lightly drizzling. As we drove away from the site, there was a rainbow above the castle. Luckily I got a picture of it. So magical!
Prince Poldie, long time no see!
Er ist der authentische, einzige und legitime König von Bayern, gib ihm sein Königreich zurück
Thanks
Tchenks. O Mein God. Super. Super.
One of the best castles I’ve been but quite a lot of walking uphill & narrow steps for sure😂🤣… Only wished that the bridge overlooking the castle will be improved. It’s very shaky when a lot of people are taking pictures
Ser gut gemacht
I have never been to the castle, but would definitely like to one day. I’m surprised at just how young it is. I just assumed it was much older.
I visited Neuschwanstein in 2019, having wanted to do so most of my life. I know it’s slightly touristy, and that although it looks like something out of medieval times, it’s actually pretty recent in the grand scheme of things, but nonetheless it’s just spectacular. I believe it was even built from concrete from what I remember, and had the mentioned telephone, running water, toilet, etc. Not exactly medieval. But despite some of the claims of Ludwig being “mad”, and even with the total extravagance of a place this fantastical being built essentially for one person, I still have always related to Ludwig. As a think many can. I also love the arts, I love technology, architecture, the outdoors, and I’m a dreamer. How even more spectacular would it be to see the castle finished as it was originally intended? There’s a part of me that thinks the German government should do this.
"The German government should do this..." Even if all those master craftsmen needed would be found, their work would be far too expensive nowadays. Besides, Germany is broke. We need housing, schools and roads - regretably, in these times our culture comes last.
@@anna-elisabethbender3123 I understand. But there are always more, let’s say, responsible ways of spending money. I mean, yes, there will always be a need for improved infrastructure, affordable housing, better medical care, etc. But I think we as human beings also need things that inspire us, relieve our stress, or that are just fun. If we only ever spend money on the responsible things, we would never have things like theme parks, roller coasters, movie theaters, or things like that. By all means if people are homeless or can’t get from point A to point B, work on those bigger issues first. But I’m just saying that it’s not completely without merit to also work on projects that aren’t quite as necessary on a basic level.
@@cgimovieman
You are right, of course. In a normal country, at normal times. After the destruction of WWII, Germany has never had enough housing, and now, with this forced migration, things steadily grow worse. At the rate of population growth, we need 400.000 new appartements yearly, but are only capable of building around 170.000. The French did the right thing many years ago by protecting their language and all sorts of cultural achievements typical for their society. But some landmarks were restored in Germany as well, like the Museumsinsel (Museums Island) in Berlin, or part of the Old City in Frankfurt am Main. Regards, A.
@@cgimovieman True but Ludwig kept hundreds of people employed because of his dream. And contrary what historians say, he was liked by the people. They even say that a local boy visited the castle when it was in the early stages of construction. He and Ludwig met and talked many times. One day, he told him his father was angry at him for coming home late and that he should learn the time. Ludwig reached into his pocket and gave him his pocketwatch.
@@largol33t1 Agreed. I have a hard time saying that using mountains of wealth only for yourself is a good thing. Overall I tend to think that one person only needs just so much, and then you should use your wealth to help others. But at the same time, if people like Ludwig didn't do that, we wouldn't have places like Neuschwanstein. But I admit, I myself have a definite propensity for quality and luxury. Much to my detriment at times. And I've always been a dreamer, very much into the arts, and the outdoors and beauty of nature. So Ludwig is definitely a historical figure of whom I relate. Much of the time today, we only build things to be completely utilitarian and without any beauty or artistry. And that's really a shame. Even looking back on skyscrapers or public buildings from the first half of the 20th century, they were build so artistically, with symbolism and deep meaning etched into the very stone on their walls. But that's become pretty rare today. I think both because of the costs, and also that we don't have as many artisans to create those embellishments.
The castle is sacred and divine. It’s mystical for the pure. This is the matrix “view”/filter; the castle is something else, something more ❤
Thanks.
My wife Nadja and I exchanged rings in the throne room...special memory.
Yes
We’re telepathic now 💥👑🔥
Baron Bomburst's schloss in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, yes?
😮grossartig
👌 👏
And whoever saw the vision through to completion was a legend as well?
I was where he's standing a month ago.
Sleeping beauty castle 🎉
from the Castle Door design i believe that ... King Ludwig 2nd ... imagine to build a GIGANTIC Castle , yet the architect NOT Understand
these darn castles impress me a lot. would you guys think that I am crazy just because I am obsessed with these castles and I want to move to Germany.
No 😄.
@@DWTravel 😂
Neuschwanstein also has a Underground grotto, where the King was using a Boat in a Shape of a swan to float on a underground Lake .He was a visionnaer but it cost to much money and he was eccentric so they got rid off him.Was he crazy ?! What did they see as crazy back then?? Is he haunting the Castle? you betcha!
❤❤❤❤❤❤
Anyone know the music for the intro of this video?
If you want to visit it, be early. I hated the tour inside with mandatory earphones. You can only follow one route in one way.
Visiting the viewing point was a bonus.
I live 20 minutes from it... never visited it though :x
The favourite castle of Ludwig 2??? It would have to be... He was the one that had it built! He emptied his treasury building this impressive castle... something that caused his subjects to have him declared mentally insane and committed to an insane asylum.
He build some more buildings. The rest was politics, I don’t think this man was ever insane.
@@dragonmartijn - oh I agree. I don't think he was insane either from what I've read.
Well hope to have a neuschwanstein like castle made of white diamond red ruby blue orange yellow teal sapphire studded castle and the interior decor to be romantic,byzantine, neo-gothic, moorish, styles with many amusement rises theaters etc.
Correction I mean rides,
What a stunning & sophisticated castle, very well preserved..perhaps disney got inspired from this marvelous castle because of those fairy tales originated from German.
What the heck, Germany still has princes?
Joseph, no, that was ended with WWI.
Yes we have a lot of princes, dukes, lords and so on, but they are not in power any more since 1918.
Most interesting fact is: Prussia payed for the castle in secret and, thus, Ludwig agreed to fight in the French-German war. Therefore, without this castle, there would probably not have been a German national state and thus also not WW1 and WW2.
My family lived there once
I have been here and to say it's the Disney Castle is a insult; it's Neuschweinstein Castle.
It's not an insult lol. Walt Disney saw Neuschwanstein and was inspired to come up with his Disney Castle from the logo and the building in the magic kingdom aka Disney World. Every Disney movie starts with a Castle coming into view. It's as iconic as Mickey himself. And it exists because of Neuschwanstein.
Imagine what the utility bill looks like? Winter months?
Not an insult, but a compliment. King Ludwig would approve, and so does The Prince.
Did you even listen to what the prince said omg
agreed, especially nowadays. dont ruin the castle by associating it with that disgusting company
🕌🏰🕍🏗️🏯
Walt Disney
Pictures
Well, one should also keep in mind that King Ludwig spent all the money of the Bavarian state for his castle-dreams. No matter whether the people were hungry or not…
@alibabaregis Only if you describe millions of debts to the Bavarian state as "personal funds". His debts were also the main reason for his incapacitation.
Der Ludwig! Seine Schlösser bringen so viele Besucher nach Bayern jedes Jahr! Verrückt? Gar nicht, nur sehr einsam. . .
QUE BELLESA LASTIMA Q NO ENGLISH 🥰🥰🥰🌹👏😉🇦🇷
I’ve read that they are very controlling about photography sites and drones trying to force tourists to buy pictures instead of taking their own.
Thats a good thing!
The Bavarian royal family. The only royal family that matters in germany.
Angry Hohenzollern, Hannover and Saxony voices.
@@vloplob bruh
Bavaria should be it's own country! They could do it if the wanted!
I've been this castle and his parents Castle and I have to say that I prefer the parents Castle
Wann kann ich einziehen?
can tourist go inside the castle?
Yes, but the visit to Neuschwanstein Castle is only possible as part of a guided tour.
Germany government TV version of MTV: Cribs "Bavarian Nobility Edition".
The Castle itself is Meh but the scenery around it is just breath taking, if you ever get a chance to go, go in the Spring or Fall. I still remember my visit fondly.
I wonder why no one ever decided to finish it
Like nobody’s gonna look at that handle 🤨
What exactly is a 'Grotto' ?
It is a type of man-made or natural cave, typically associated with landscapes such as gardens or parks.
@@DWTravel kinda cheesey and tacky ?
@@JohnSmith-rk6jyThe modern usage of the term actually originated during the Italian renaissance, when Italians started unearthing these magnificent, seemingly subterranean complexes. They erroneously thought that the ancient Romans were building their mansions underground, and thus called them “grottos” (from the word “grotesque”). What they were actually unearthing were just the ground floors of much larger palaces - but the name still stuck and now we use it to denote picturesque areas that are underground or in caves.
@@DavyBrando hey cheers man. That's a good explanation. Thanks.
It is an amazing castle and deserves so much more than what it turned into. However, the quality of this video is ridiculous calling it 5 secrets and they are the most well-known facts for even the minimal enthusiast.
Okay, cool to have Prince Leopold on here, but the fact that this inspired the Disney castle is about THE most un-secret thing you can say about this castle. I'm here for dirt when you say "secret", not someone just reading stuff off the Wikipedia page.
Do you mean literally 'dirt' like dusty corners? Or more like scandals and family secrets?
The only corner of the world Bayern dynasty could become a king was Greece. They couldn't survive very long there either.
And Bavaria 😅
@@peterg.8941 And Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, Roman-German King, King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, King of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, King of Sweden.
@@hape3862 that dynasty was the Habsburg. 😉
@@peterg.8941 No, look it up. The Wittelsbach dynasty had all these positions at some points in time. Emperor Ludwig IV. ("Ludwig the Bavarian") has a huge cenotaph in the Munich cathedral.
formol
🤔
“300 Craftsmen”
its a small castle compared to Versailles but it got famous because of the disney logo.
Versailles is a palace. Very different to a castle.
Why this man looks and sounds like Arnold's grandpa? :D