A visit at the bavarian castles of Schloss Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. Photographing in the interior was forbidden, though the paintings especially in Schloss Hohenschwangau would have been worth a picture (though probably with a better camera). (February 2008)

A first view of the houses of the village Hohenschwangau from the parking lot. A first look at Neuschwanstein. A look at Schloss Hohenschwangau from the village of Hohenschwangau. That's how king Ludwig II. had seen Neuschwanstein, if he stood at the outer courtyard of Schloss Hohenschwangau. Now we look down upon the village of Hohenschwangau from the outer courtyard of Schloss Hohenschwangau. Ah, our subjects build nice houses, it's great to be the king here! A fountain in the outer courtyard of Schloss Hohenschwangau. Unfortunately without water in february. A look at Schloss Hohenschwangau from the outer courtyard. The servants entrance to Schloss Hohenschwangau. We, of course, used the official entry reserved for exalted dignitaries ;-). Schloss Hohenschwangau halfway down to the village again. After a tough ascent of nearly 15 minutes (40 minutes in Hohenschwangau minutes, they terribly exaggerate walking distances on signs there), the first glimpse of Neuschwanstein through the trees. A look at the inner courtyard of Neuschwanstein from the balcony of the courtyard. That's how Ludwig would have seen visitors arrive. That's one of the towers that give Neuschwanstein it's fairy tale look, as seen from the inner courtyard. The Alpsee and Schloss Hohenschwangau as seen from a window in Neuschwanstein. Our humble selves with Neuschwanstein in the back.