Castles

Several months ago, I asked Clara what interested her about Germany.  Now, I must admit influence from her Mother and Oma, but she said 'castles and bakeries'.  Yesterday we did CASTLES.  Yes we had been to the Nymphemburg castle on Wednesday, but yesterday we visited Linderhof, and, perhaps the most famous fairy tale castles of them all -- Neuschwanstein.  

It was a significant bus trip through forest and farm landed areas to get to the start of the Alps.  We stopped at Linderhof first.  Ludwig II built this castle early on in his reign and it is modest only in comparison to what he constructed later.  It was completed and therefore overlaid with 4.5 kilos of gold leaf.  Yes, that is enough to cover just about everything in the place. The fountain burst forth shooting much higher than the castle.  It is a delightful royal retreat.

By comparison, Neuschwanstein, built on a rock a serious half hour climb above the valley, is a spectacular, come-to-life fairy tale castle.  From the gate and forecourt to the throne room with its newly refurbished 4 meter crown chandelier, it promises a grandeur which was never realized because it was not finished.  Ludwig was arrested there and six days later was drown in a lake close to Munich.  (exact circumstances of his death are unknown).  All the contracts for the lavish furnishings that had been ordered for the castle were cancelled and within 7 weeks of Ludwig's death, it was open to the public as a museum.  Particularly important for me, was the knowledge that 69 years ago, my parents took me to this castle.  At that time, one could still take photos inside.  Now that's a family tradition.  I hope that Clara will someday bring her children or grandchildren to this place to carry on the line.