Neuwschwanstein Castle in Schwangau and Allgäu region in southern Germany by Marga Vroom

About "Neuwschwanstein Castle in Schwangau and Allgäu region in southern Germany"

by Marga Vroom

About the artwork

Neuschwanstein Castle stands in Bavaria in southern Germany in Schwangau near Füssen. Neuschwanstein is a medieval castle built of light-coloured limestone with many towers, battlements and roofs in the style of 19th-century romantic architecture. The castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria (also known as the "Fairy Tale King". Construction began in 1869, but the castle was never fully completed. Ludwig II lived there for only a few nights before dying under mysterious circumstances in 1886. The castle was meant to be a private retreat for the reclusive king, away from public life in Munich. The castle reflected his fantasies and his escape from the reality of the rapidly modernising world. Just seven weeks after the king's death in 1886, Neuschwanstein was opened to the public to help finance the king's debts. It has since become one of the most visited castles in Europe and an iconic symbol of Germany. The castle is widely regarded as the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle in Disneyland.
I took the photo during the autumn season, which makes for some pretty spectacular colours. The trees in the foreground and the slopes surrounding the castle show a rich mix of red, yellow and orange leaves that contrast sharply with the dark green coniferous forest in the background. The sun illuminates the castle and the autumn leaves, making them glow against the shadowy hills, creating a dramatic and idyllic effect.