Bavaria's castles
Neuschwanstein's castle
The castle of Neuswchwanstein is the most know castle of Germany. Constructed on the demand of King Louis II of Bavaria in the 19th century, it is situated on rocky outcrop of 200 metres high. In German, Neuschwanstein means the new swan's rock. The castle is visited by about 1,4 millions of visitors every year. It' architecture is mostly Romanesque but also contains Neo-gothic and Neo-byzantine' elements. Louis II's initial project were never finished because he died only two years after settling down in the castle and the bavarian government did'nt want to finish the works. In the fifties, Walt Disney took inspiration from the castle to create his Sleeping Beauty castle, situated in the very first Disneyland which opened in 1955. Today, the castle is the logo of the Walt Disney Studios.
Nymphenburg's castle
The castle of Nymphenburg or, litteraly, the Nymps' castle, was the summer residence of the prince-electors and the kings of Bavaria. With it's 180 hectares' park, it is one of the biggest European royal palaces and attracts about 300 000 visitors per year. it's construction started in 1664 and the castle got bigger step by step over the years to finish in the 1800's. In 1845, King Louis II of Bavaria was born there. After being the summer residence of the Wittelsbach's lineage of Kings during some centuries, the castle is currently still occupied by the Duke François of Bavaria, in a wing closed to the public.
Nuremberg's castle
The castle of Nuremberg, built in the 11th century, is one of the most important fortresses of Germany. Emperors and kings stayed there for five centuries. The imperial castle is elevated on a rocky promontory which dominate the city of Nuremberg. Form the Sinwell Tower, high of 385 metres and constructed as a dungeon for the castle, it is possible to have a beautiful and panoramic sight of the city.