The unofficial name of Germany is the "Valley of Castles": no other country in the world has so many ancient castles as here. Every tourist can find a building to his liking: ancient or medieval, ruined or rebuilt, with rich military glory or not seen the battles.
Hohenschwangau is less well known than some of its brethren, but the fortress only benefits from this: the crowds of tourists do not conquer it; it is always quiet and peaceful. To enjoy the beauty of Hohenschwangau, you have to walk uphill for a long time - the way is not easy, but once you get there, you won't regret it!
Hohenschwangau Castle: Historical Facts
The first mention of the castle dates back to 1090. Its founder is a member of the Schwangau family, the knight Hildbold von Schwangau, who made history with the Heidelberg Songbook. The castle was the residence of the family for five long centuries, until the last member of the Schwangau family died in the 16th century: the castle then began to decay and fall into disrepair.
In the early 19th century, during the Napoleonic campaign of 1800-1809, the castle was significantly damaged. Crown Prince Maximilian acquired the land because of its incredible scenery and began reconstruction, and by 1836 Hohenschwangau had been reconstructed in the Romanticist style. Court painters Moritz von Schwind, Domenico Quallo and others were involved in the process.
The next owners of the castle were King Ludwig II, then his mother, Queen Dowager Maria. The Viennese lived here until 1889. Today the castle belongs to the Wittelsbach Foundation and is used only for tourist purposes.
Interiors of Hohenschwangau
Inside, it is definitely worth admiring the beauties:
- The Swan Knight Hall is the former dining room, with scenes from Lohengrin the Swan Knight on the walls.
- The Queen's bedroom, decorated in an oriental style influenced by Crown Prince Maximilian's trip to Turkey in 1833. Some of the furniture was a gift from the sultan.
- The Queen's Drawing Room is decorated with paintings depicting the history of the castle.
- Hall of Heroes. Paintings by Franz Xaver Glink, Gissmann, Michael Nir and Adam adorn the walls, recounting key scenes in the epic of Dietrich von Bern.
- The Hohenstaufen rooms are painted according to the peripeteia of the noble family. A Wagner maple piano stands in the room.
- Ludwig II's home chapel in the bay window.
Interesting Facts
- The castle has a schedule of guided tours in many languages of the world.
- King Ludwig II received the famous composer Wagner in the castle, who played on the piano later named after him.
- There are many paintings hanging in Queen Mary's living room, some of them portraits, including ordinary people and servants living in the castle.
- The founder of the castle was very fond of swans, so the name is associated with birds, their images adorn the walls and in the courtyard is a fountain in the form of a swan.
- The chapel of the house, arranged by Louis II, is decorated with Russian icons donated by Emperor Alexander II.
