Gothic Castle 🏰 Tour

“The item in the centre is a casket given as a gift for his 80th birthday. I don’t think ‘casket’ is the right word to call it, as giving a casket to an 80 year old is not right”. This was one of the many attempts at humour the young German (seemingly practicing his English) tour guide through Hohenschwangau Castle.

There were 2 floors made available for viewing. The first floor hosted the Queen including separate reading and writing rooms, although apparently the Queen wasn’t a fan of reading and instead enjoyed hiking in the alps. The view of which was stunning from her reading room. Why be cooped up reading in a castle when you can explore the great outdoors.

Upstairs hosted the King with the same floor layout but with a fancier reading chair “complete with a book holder and extendable leg rest making it still practical for use today.” A cute ballroom also occupied this floor. A secret door in the queen and kings bedrooms allowed for easier night time relations between the pair. I guess she didn’t like sleeping in the wet patch 💦

While photos weren’t allowed, notable sights inside included an oversized billiard table complete with ivory 🐘 billiard balls. The elevator was electric and installed in 1900 (ish) but “alas it is not working, or maybe it is, but it’s old so I wouldn’t think it’s safe”.

It’s a quaint little castle, a notable feature in the kings dressing room is a telescope allowing him to watch the construction of the real star of the castle show here, Neuschwanstein Castle. Where I’m off to next.Read more