“Neuschwanstein” King Ludwig’s Castle Tour From Salzburg

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is King Ludwig II’s most famous and romantic folly and attracts hoards of guests every year. It is embedded in the mountains of the Allgäu in the far south of Germany by the border with Austria. High on a rock above the Alpsee lake and close to the thundering waters of the Poellat Gorge it looks like a fairytale place. Neuschwanstein is the utter manifestation of the king’s phantasies and dreams detached from this world and his royal duties.

Pilgrimage Church of Wies

It is a famous pilgrimage church in spiritual and artistic respects. It dates from a miracle in 1738 when tears were seen on a wooden figure of the Scourged Saviour. This resulted in a rush of pilgrims. To cope with the numbers Steingaden Abbey commissioned a church to replace the former small chapel. Over the centuries many who prayed in front of the statue claimed to having been cured from their diseases, it is still a magnet for believers from near and far.

Linderhof Palace

Linderhof Palace was King Ludwig’s “Royal Villa”, a complex also inspired by his idol, the Sun-King Luis XIV of France (the other one is Herrenchiemsee Palace). Inspired by that (the French King gave the first and the last audience of a day in his bed-chamber) the palace is shaped centred on the King’s bed-chamber. It is located amidst impressive baroque gardens with terraces, cascades and fountains surrounded by alpine forest. Some parts are closed in the winter.

Oberammergau

Oberammergau, a small village, is famous for the wall paintings, the woodcarvings and the Passion Play, performed every 10 years. The wall paintings “Lüftlmalerei” is a uniqe style in Upper Bavaria to decorate buildings with fairytale, religious or traditional Bavarian scenes. Woodcarving in Oberammergau has also a long tradition, ranging from religious subjects to toys, but just to drive through or take a short walk we can really appreciated the beauty.

With our centre of attention on the Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace, and the addition of the Church of Wies, and the village Oberammergau, though there is great scenery to enjoy on our way back to Salzburg, we wonder where your thoughts will lie.