In 1886, Bavaria's Neuschwanstein Castle was opened to the public for tours after the death of King Ludwig II, who inhabited the massive dwelling. He built this fairy tale castle in the middle of the Alps to escape from public life and keep to himself, making this castle one of the largest homes ever constructed for a single resident.
The images of Neuschwanstein have become quite famous because of the castle's incredible mountain surroundings and architecture, which inspired the Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World in Florida. More than 1.3 million people visit the castle each year and view the king's hideaway, where they hike up the mountainside to the entrance and roam the halls and rooms where the king and staff once quietly went about life. Murals on the wall depict dreamlike scenes from medieval folklore that had inspired the operas of Richard Wagner, for whom the castle was dedicated.
Schlossverwaltung Neuschwanstein
Neuschwansteinstraße 20
D-87645 Schwangau
011-49-083-629-39880
neuschwanstein.de
Leeds Castle in the English countryside is one of the most beautiful of Europe's castles. Perched on an island in a lake, Leeds Castle is surrounded by water that reflects the building in its waters. Where a drawbridge once kept unwanted visitors out, there is now a stone footbridge that allows easy passage from the shore to the castle grounds.
Tours of the castle and its grounds are offered daily. Visitors walk through the castle and view the private quarters, which date to 1278. In 1911, the castle was transferred into part of the Queen of England's dower. In addition to the castle tours, there are other attractions around the castle, including aviaries and a nine-hole golf course.
Leeds Castle
Maidstone, Kent
ME17 1PL
011-44-016-227-65400
leeds-castle.com
The Frankenstein Castle near Damstedt, Germany, is one of the most notorious in Europe. People flock here because of the legend that inspired the Mary Shelley novel "Frankenstein."
The castle gets most of its notoriety from a former resident named Joseph Conrad Dippel von Frankenstein. The man was an alchemist who had an interest in mystical powers. A rumor that he was robbing graves and attempting to bring dead bodies back to life in his castle laboratory is thought to be the basis for the Frankenstein novel.
The castle itself is in ruins, but it still draws many visitors for tours of the grounds, especially during a Halloween celebration and monster show each October.
Frankenstein Castle
Damstedt, Germany
011-49-6151-54618
