Neuschwanstein

Like all good kings, however, once he gained the throne, he wanted his own castle. And so began construction of one of the most expensive and fanciful projects of the time (it pretty much bankrupted Bavaria). Visitors can walk up the long path or hitch a ride with the horses (watch your step).

Pictures don't do this place justice at all. The scale of it is...daunting.

This was Ludwig II's fairytale castle, no holds barred. Even the servants' quarters were spectacular. His bedroom furniture is almost entirely carved wood. It took 20 artisans four years to complete it.

The front of the castle, complete with heavy, reinforced gate that is drawn upward.

Bein' artsy again. Though I liked the design in the windows.

Unfortunately, only about one-third of the interior was completed before Ludwig II passed away. (Oh, hey, that spout looks like a dragon.)

Little white flowers grew all along the exterior.

View of the Marianbrucke (Mary's Bridge) from the castle. This was Ludwig's favorite place for viewing the castle.

Finally got a great shot of Schloss Hohenschwangau from outside Neuschwanstein (on the path to the bridge of scary doom Mary's Bridge).

The end of the Great Hall.

I managed to control the acrophobia long enough to scamper out onto the bridge, take a picture, and scamper back. Unfortunately for me, someone's arm was in the way, so I had to go back out onto the bridge and take another one. I never went all the way across the bridge.

Next:  Departure