Germany Travel Advisor, Schloss Hohenschwangau

Schloss Hohenschwangau
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Residenzschloss Ludwigsburg
Burg Hohenzollern
Schloss Sigmaringen
Heidelberg Castle
Burgruine Weibertreu
Schloss Neuschwanstein
Schloss Card

Next to Neuschwanstein (see below) is Schloss (Castle) Hohenschwangau. It was the residence of Ludwig II’s parents and where Ludwig grew up. It was built by Ludwig’s father, Maximilian II of Bavaria from 1833 to 1837.

Unlike Neuschwanstein, which had to be sold to the state to relieve some family debts, Hohenschwangau is still privately owned. After Ludwig’s death his uncle took over and this castle still remains in his family, the Wittelsbach family. It was inhabited by members of the family (who installed electricity and an elevator in 1905) until 1912. It immediately became a museum and to this day you can take tours of the interior.

Like the castle next door it cost 9 Euros a person for a tour (which they have in English). If you buy both tours you do get to save a Euro. These two castles have a great ticketing system. When you buy your ticket you get the time when you tour begins. Then you don’t have to wait in line and can enjoy the scenery. Also, you can book the tickets ahead and pick up your tickets when you get there.

On our tour the tour guide at was very cool and had some great stories about Ludwig and his family. He thought that drugs where involved in Ludwig’s early death (he died at 41) because he suffered from a toothache and at the time opium was used as a pain reliever. Also, he believes that Ludwig was claimed insane, not because of his strange behavior, but because he was spending too much money. If the King was medically unfit to rule, then he could not continue building the elaborate castles that he was.