Today we went to Neuschwanstein Castle. It's the castle from Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang and also inspired part of the Harry Potter Castle. It was built by King Ludwig II in eighteen sixty nine and construction stopped at his death in eighteen eighty six with only one third of the castle completed. When we arrived at the small town of Schwangau, we walked up the hill to the castle. King Ludwig built it to be beautiful rather than a stronghold. It's on a hilltop with cliffs, a waterfall, a lake and mountains on one side and fields and the town on the other side. We walked up a big spiral staircase to the throne room, which was absolutely beautiful. All the walls and the ceiling were painted with vibrant murals, but the most eye-catching thing for me was the chandelier in the middle of the room. I overheard from a guide that ...
it weighed one thousand kilograms.
Now, King Ludwig only lived in his castle for one hundred and seventy two days, but he had running water, electric lighting, and a phone. His bedroom had more murals of knights and princesses, he had a sink where the faucet was a life size brass swan, and it took fourteen wood carvers four years to make his bed. We went through another room, and a hallway that was an artificial cave, with stalagmites and stalactites. The next room was his private theatre, where singers came to perform for an audience of one. He was a patron of Wagner and had the privilege of private concerts.
Now, King Ludwig only lived in his castle for one hundred and seventy two days, but he had running water, electric lighting, and a phone. His bedroom had more murals of knights and princesses, he had a sink where the faucet was a life size brass swan, and it took fourteen wood carvers four years to make his bed. We went through another room, and a hallway that was an artificial cave, with stalagmites and stalactites. The next room was his private theatre, where singers came to perform for an audience of one. He was a patron of Wagner and had the privilege of private concerts.
Who knows if he was crazy? I don't think he was. When his father died, Ludwig was made king. He was the same age as I am now! Older men tried to influence him, and when they wanted to get rid of him, a doctor declared him insane. Ludwig said, "Hey, you never even examined me!" The doctor led him away for a health walk, asking that no one accompany them. They were both found drowned in the lake, which was only waist deep.
Beautiful castle though. Allegra and Mom took a horse-drawn carriage while Dad and I ran through the woods up the mountain to a breath-taking bridge. Many people hang-glide off the nearby cliffs. We beat them to the bottom and were waiting as they came off the carriage.
Beautiful castle though. Allegra and Mom took a horse-drawn carriage while Dad and I ran through the woods up the mountain to a breath-taking bridge. Many people hang-glide off the nearby cliffs. We beat them to the bottom and were waiting as they came off the carriage.
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