DW Documentary – Neuschwanstein Castle’s secrets

19 januari 2021Home, Interview, Locatie, Media, Portretten, Ridderboek, Video0

Neuschwanstein Castles secrets (foto YouTube)

Neuschwanstein Castle’s secrets

Published 26 dec. 2020

Neuschwanstein Castle is said to have inspired Walt Disney. This is the untold story of the Bavarian castle, which attracts 1.5 million visitors a year, and is also known as the ‘castle of the fairy tale king.’

Just over 150 years ago, in 1869, construction of Neuschwanstein Castle began in Bavaria, Germany. This documentary gives a behind the scenes view of the famous building, which is said to have inspired the Disney Castle. Neuschwanstein was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria, a man known also as the Swan King or the Fairy Tale King, but also as Mad King Ludwig. Ludwig II did not enjoy reigning. He dreamt of a life surrounded by nature, was an ardent fan of Wagner, and loved mythical imagery. Neuschwanstein Castle was his dream realised in stone. But it was also a withdrawal from his duties as head of state. And the more Ludwig II hid away in his dream castle, the more he angered his ministers. They saw his artistic and architectural projects as overly extravagant. Eventually, this ‘overindulgence’ was used as grounds to declare him insane. He was interned in 1886. Just days later, he drowned in Lake Starnberg under mysterious circumstances, together with the psychiatrist who had certified him insane.

Six weeks after the death of Ludwig II of Bavaria, the castle was opened to visitors. The decision was also an effort to convince the public that the king had been ‘mad,’ and many came to see the castle. Then came the World Wars and Neuschwanstein was briefly forgotten by the public. During the Third Reich, Nazis misused it to store looted art. But the castle survived the wars unscathed. After the end of World War II, US troops reached the castle. Before long, it had become a favorite among GIs stationed in Germany, and Neuschwanstein was once again a much loved tourist attraction. Today, it’s a tourist phenomenon. This documentary offers a behind the scenes view of Neuschwanstein, a place that continues to cast its spell on those who visit, as the legend of King Ludwig II of Bavaria lives on.

DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.

Subscribe to
DW Documentary https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW39zufHfsuGgpLviKh297Q
DW Documental (Spanish) https://www.youtube.com/dwdocumental
DW Documentary وثائقية دي دبليو: (Arabic) https://www.youtube.com/dwdocarabia

For more visit
http://www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s-3610
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/dwdocumentary/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/dw.stories

We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy on our channel https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G