If you are planning a trip to Europe with children, try to find a place where you can combine fun, relaxation and an interesting cultural programme. Hohenschwangau Castle is ideal for this. Airy, elegant, romantic and monumental. All these epithets can be applied to just one attraction in Bavaria.
It is difficult to describe the beauty of the grounds surrounding this ancient building, which is buried almost to the roof in lush greenery — the architectural monument has to be seen to be believed. Hohenschwangau, with its yellow walls and towers, rises majestically above the picturesque Alpine lake. It is truly a picture out of an old German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.
A little history. Hohenschwangau was built by order of Maximilian II of Bavaria, father of the infamous Ludwig II. The castle was once the site of Schwanstein Castle. Since the 1830s, the site has been home to Schloss Hohenschwangau, which Maximilian II made his official hunting and summer residence. All members of his family spent their holidays here.
Hohenschwangau is steeped in history. This truly fabulous monument to German architecture opens the doors of many royal chambers to its many visitors. You and your children should not miss the Hall of the Swan Knights. It is all about the medieval epic hero Lohengrin, who was helped by the swan to rescue his beautiful queen. Paintings by Quallo and Neyer, inspired by this historical saga, cover all the walls.
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Don't miss the Queen's bedroom. Maximilian II's mother, Maria, lived in this sumptuous apartment. Queen Maria's bedroom is furnished in an oriental style. Of particular interest is the ceiling of the room, which is an exact replica of the night sky.
Walk around the castle and you'll find the Hall of Heroes on the third floor. Here you'll also find a series of paintings dedicated to the Nibelungen saga and the ancient Viking sagas. Another room is King Maximilian's bedroom, now Tasso's room. From the balcony of this small room you can admire the beauty of nearby Neuschwanstein Castle.
Finally, the Knights' Hall, which used to be a chapel. It is now used by tourists. From here you can access the spiral staircase that leads to the billiard room and the dining room on the floor above.
Be sure to visit Hohenschwangau, which is particularly beautiful in the early morning or late evening. Hovering in the mist like a fairytale mirage, surrounded by intricate fountains and elegantly illuminated at night, Hohenschwangau is a place of enigmatic beauty.
