Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century historicist palace in southwest Bavaria, Germany, which was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat in honor of Richard Wagner.
Since 1886, Neuschwanstein Castle has been visited by more than 1.3 million people per year.
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Neuschwanstein Castle Facts for Kids
- Neuschwanstein Castle sits on a rocky hill above the village of Hohenschwangau
- In honor of Richard Wagner, King Ludwig II of Bavaria commissioned the castle
- Neuschwanstein’s construction began in the summer of 1858
- The castle’s highest tower stands at 213 feet.
- About 200 workers were employed on the construction site
The Disney Castle
A lot of people call Neuschwanstein Castle the Disney Castle or Germany’s fairy castle.
Open to the public
It served as a home for the king until he died in 1886. Following his death, it was open to the public. Neuschwanstein Castle has been visited by over 61 million people since its construction.
In the summer, as many as 6,000 people visit the park each day. Closed only on December 24 and 25, December 31 and January 1 each year
Used During World War II
Due to its strategic location, the palace was saved from destruction during World War II. It served as a depot for Nazi plunder and was used to catalog the works of art that were taken from France.
In April 1945, the SS considered blowing up the palace to prevent it from falling to the enemy, but the plan was not realized, and the palace was returned to the Bavarian government after the war.
