This is Hohenschwangau Castle, built by King Maximillian II of Bavaria beginning in 1837. This castle was just a quick stop on a way to a much bigger and more famous castle just across from Hohenschwangau, but I still found it interesting, very resolutely medieval, like a fortress on the top of the hill. From here we began the hike up to our next destination, which took about 30 minutes.
This is the first view you get of Castle Neuschwanstein, built by King Ludwig II, the son of Maximillian II, which is nested on a cliffside overlooking Hohenschwangau. I loved the way it looked in the fog, mysterious and somewhat threatening. The castles sinister impression is even more evident in the interior of the castle (which cannot be photographed)--but the best description I have for it is that it looks like something that a king who is often considered insane would build. The interior is somewhat Byzantine, very unlike the fairy-tale-esque exterior: all dark colors and imposing structures architecture.
This is Neuschwanstein from a view point about a ten minute hike from the entrance to the castle.
This is the view from the balcony of Neuschwanstein with Hohenschwangau in the lower right. As difficult as it must have been to build a castle nestled into the cliffs the way Neuschwanstein is, I see why Ludwig would have demanded that it be built here, the view is undeniably spectacular. After Neuschwanstein we got back in our bus and headed towards another castle built by Ludwig, Linderhof. Our route took us through the corner of Austria, which was actually my first trip outside Germany since I've been here.
The Austrian Alps out the window of our bus, hiding in the clouds. I grew up in the Rockies and am no stranger to spectacular mountain ranges, but the Alps never fail to take my breath away. I say every time I see somewhere new that I've never seen anything so beautiful.
We took a break by this lake in the Austrian Alps. The fog from earlier faded to a cool and sunny afternoon, and we enjoyed putting our feet in the water and listening to the wind in the early autumn leaves.
Two of my friends from my program having some fun in the playground by the lake.
This is Linderhof Castle, my favorite place we visited that day. This was also built by King Ludwig II in a neo-baroque style--he was never satisfied with the castles he had and was even planning a new one at the time of his death. Before our tour we spent about 40 minutes wandering through the garden and enjoying the view!
A fountain in the garden.
A sculpture on the side of the castle.
The garden as seen from the castle.
I know this is a poor quality picture, but I wanted to post it anyway because of how cool this place was. This is the Grotto, a tiny underground personal opera theater Ludwig had built in the gardens for himself. Richard Wagner was a friend of his and he loved his operas, and they were often performed just for him. The Grotto even had electric mood lighting in various colors and a tiny waterfall that could be turned on and off! I wish I could see an opera there, it really was the perfect setting for Richard Wagner!
Our lost stop was the Monastery in the tiny town of Ettal. What a beautiful church! The Berlin Cathedral (which I'll have some pictures of in my next post!) reminded me of this church. The monastery is famous also for Ettaler Liqueur, which was of course brought along by our professors for us to sample!
The beautiful painting in the inside of the church.
Looking back on it I find it hard to believe I really went to all these places. And what's even more amazing to me is that I don't even have to leave my city to see beautiful historic places. Whenever I'm having a hard time, whether it's because I'm frustrated with the difficulty of studying in my second language or because I'm a little homesick, I think to myself that I must be, in my own way, the luckiest person in the world. I'm living in the most wonderful city I've ever been to and every day is an adventure. Whenever I think that it's too hard or that I can't do it, I think to myself that nothing worth having ever comes easy. I am living the life I have always dreamed of living. I know if I could talk to 13 year old me, a middle school girl just as awkward and directionless as every other middle-schooler, she would be amazed at where I am now. As hard as it can be sometimes, I haven't once forgotten that this is my dream and, more than anything I've ever had, it's worth fighting for.
Check back soon for pictures of my Berlin trip and for some updates about my semester! (It's too much to tackle all at once) Schöne Grüße aus München!
