RARECATION: Germany: Schwangau:- Schloss Neuschwanstein

Heraldry! A study of coats of arms has always been one of my interest. A family coats of arms evolves thru time. A marriage is the usual cause for it. But a city? I doubt any change...unless for a special reason. 

Lo and behold! Above is the coat of arms of Schwangau. A swan on red shield. Schwangau means "Swan Land". Must be lots of these gentle creatures roaming around these area for them to adopt such name in the first place. 

The Bavaria Coat of Arms on the flag
(horizontal light blue and white lozenges shape)

A municipality within the state of Bavaria or Bayern, just a stone throw to Austria to its south and Munich is its capital. Apart from Bayern Munich football team, which I know the whole region really goes GA-GA. It's also the headquarters of Bayerische Motoren Were (Bavarian Motor Works or BMW) and Audi automobile company.

Bayern Munich FC logo (note the flag)

Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW)
the white and light blue colour from the flag

Back in Schwangau however, the most notable thing is a structure....so beautiful...even Walt Disney himself came to see it. The structure he saw became the main feature of the theme park he inspired later on. Schloss Neuschwanstein or Castle Neuschwanstein (New Swanstone Castle) or Sleeping Beauty's Castle is the structure in question. 

*pictures featured are SOOC (straight out of camera)...also means, too lazy to edit....some other time...

The A1 van.
The structure above sleeps 2pax 

The rest of the campsite 

Morning briefing
Me with the Nigeria flag, Rose, Muhammad and Anz
with the Malaysia flag...and Januar (picture by: Radzi)

We had a morning briefing before move out off the camp site. 

We head out for the castle, spend some time taking pictures and then head out towards the Swiss border. From the campsite to the Schloss Neuschwanstein took us about 15 minutes only. 

Pumpkin sold by the roadside

All lined up nicely

Note the swan on the roof

The yellow castle of Schloss Hohenschwangau
(High Swan County Castle)

A 'bokeh' type of picture...with the castle
in the background

It's worth mentioning that within the close vicinity of the small hamlet, lies not one but 2 castle each perched atop of a hill. The yellow castle was built by King Maximilian II of Bavaria (Ludwig II's father). It was also the childhood residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria which later had the Schloss Neuschwanstein to be built. Also, the castle...was built using money from his purse (personal fund) and not from the state's treasury...unlike some of the world leaders nowadays...opppsss

You can either walk or take the horse carriage. This one goes to the yellow castle.

The adjacent lake (Alpsee) with ducks and swans!

Of the two splendid residence of the Bavarian kings, Schloss Neuschwanstein looks more majestic. You immediately walk towards it, but before that....a 'short' trek up the hill is required. There's a bus service or horse carriage or by foot. 

I didn't check the price, but I would suggest taking either the bus or the carriage. I mean you can walk all the way up,  enjoy the walk and scenery...but the lack of sign of how far it is to the castle makes every corner like..."are we there yet?" kind of thing. But hiking up the hill is good for your health...when the weather's nice!

There's also a nature track which leads to a bridge overlooking the Schloss Neuschwanstein. The Marienbrucke (Marian bridge) over the Pöllat Gorge named after King Ludwig II's mother, Marie Friederike of Prussia. It was closed for maintenance though. I googled the view from the bridge, and the castle looks awesome!

Worth mentioning about the nature track though, I did saw Syibli, Che Mun, Sab, Coke and Pah on it... but I was not sure what happened to them later (because I saw a sign said the bridge was close). Another group however (don't know who was the culprit..Didit and Hafiz do comes to mind though), a park ranger came running and shouted "Nature! Nature! Do not step on nature!" Of course they obeyed...or risk sleeping at the police station or in Didit's case would be not meeting Muriel at all! Who's Muriel? Will explain in another posting..

Are the horses, pull or 'push' the carriage?

I have to confess with the blood blister on my feet, it was a hellish experience. But I soldiered on when I saw visitors twice older than me slowly but surely walks towards the unseen castle, for now. OHHHH..the agony of walking up towards the castle! 

You will arrive at the carriage's station on the way, when suddenly from the thick fog.....the castle shows itself..C'est magnifique!

The closer you are...the bigger it gets!..duhhhh.. then the size of the "house" really sank in. It's blardy HUGE!

Just look at the fog....so thick,
 the castle played hide and seek with the visitors

Look at the size of that thing...

The entrance of the castle

The wooden door leads to the courtyard with King Ludwig's
coat of arms atop the door frame

Foundation of the castle was laid on another medieval ruin (I think) in 1869, it was not even completed when the king died of mysterious circumstances in 1886. Today, it attracts throngs of visitors all over the world to see it up close. You can enter the castle up to its courtyard...I mean, there's a tour available but we were short on time. 

From time to time, SN and Syibli checked our whereabouts over the walkie-talkie. It's good thing since we could locate each other at any time..since not all of us have roaming service on the mobile. 

on the inside, looking towards the entrance

looking at the Palace within the Neuschwanstein

1) Soak in the atmosphere and scenery....

2) Tell to myself, to come again in the future....

....and I left the castle ground (its the truth!, that's my SOP before leaving any interesting places) with pictures as much as the battery would last. I will return eventually. Even if it would take me another 32 years (as it was the case for London).

Oh ya! Look for a track into a clearing to take this picture of the palace's balconies.....

Walking slowly downhill, I felt a sense of accomplishment. Also awe that the castle primarily houses King Ludwig II alone and his mother. His untimely death in 1886, he managed only 170 days at the castle...and this is only one of four..or was it five castle he built. The late king was also a good friend of Richard Wagner, composer of "Flight of the Valkyrie" seems a good ending to my visit to this place..(played it in my head..)

Cinderella castle, Sleeping Beauty's castle or any other fantasy princess that this castle had been referred to...it is nothing short of wonder, inspired by a man and German's masonry and engineering know how of the late 19th century. Amazing.... aheh!!!

Abang Rashid at the camper van. Must be looking
for Kak Mona...Noticed anything new to the van?

The Rarecation Sticker!

One last picture of the castle....and we're off towards Switzerland. Auf wiedersehen (until we see again) Schloss Neuschwanstein! 

I wonder what drama awaits for us, next....

Using telephoto lens (55-210/f4.5-f6.3)