"Mad King Luwig" a Schwangau Travel Page by ogb4619

Schwangau is a beautiful small town. Surprisingly small and without the large number of tourists that you might expect.
Expect because it is very pretty but more so because within a few kilometres of the town, lies "Mad" King Ludwig's four spectacular Castles and the famous "Im der Wiess" church.

All within a few kilmetres of the town, there are places to visit which create the largest pressure that you have ever experienced, to stand up and leave.

Nowhere else in the world, in my opinion, no other man made objects anywhere in the world, with the possible exception of the Egyptian pyramids, will anything draw you to just stand and marvel.
To just breath in the exquisite, grotesque, ornate and criminal extravaganza that you will ever witness.

I confess being absorbed in this folly of extravagance. It is mind boggling, beautiful and simultaneously decadent.

It will cost you a few Euros to visit these places, but do NOT miss one of them.

Don't get too excited. It's no longer real gold.
It was however, decades ago, all genuine.
From this gilded fountain in the lake and the few gilded statues in the gardens, one gets an idea of what is to come.
Only an idea mind you, because once you step inside, you get the overpowering feeing of GOLD.

After taking the tour of the castle, slowly (puff puff) walk up to visit the Grotto from where Ludwig watched plays and listened to music by his "lover" (??) Wagner.
Then you look down on the castle roof, the gardens and the gazebo in the background