Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castle

Small churches like this dot Bavaria, Germany.

A nice lady told us that the Bavarians are 

practicing Catholics. Each town has a church and 

they are closed all year round, except for during the 

month of May when they are opened Monday, Wednesday

and Fridays for people to pray to Mother Mary for 

a good harvest. The rest of the year, people attend Mass

at larger churches. 

Neuschwansten Castle means New Swan Castle in English . Swans were the symbol of the Bavarian Kings so the swan castle is his castle. This castle is recognized to many Americans and Disney fans as Sleeping Beauty's Castle. 

View from the Castle

The Castle was built between 1869 and 

1886. It was intended to be a reclusive

retreat for King Ludwig II. Once he died

in 1886 it was opened for public tours.

 It was

built using his personal fortune rather than 

public funds. 

This castle is also the location of

filming for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Hohenschwangau Castle means Upper Swan County

Palace.  This castle was built over 12th Century

castle ruins during the 1700s.

 This castle was the official hunting lodge of King

Maximilian and was the childhood home of 

Ludwig.  Surprisingly, it suffered no damage during

WWII.