Day 42- Fussen

Day 42- 26 September 2008 Today we went to Schwangau and got our tickets for Ludwigs two castles and then we walked up to Hohenschwangau for our tour of the castle. The castle is quite small but there were some impressive and interesting rooms. For example, in the kings bed chamber there are stars in the ceiling of the room which servants would need to climb into the roof cavity and light hundreds of lanterns which would then provide light and illuminate the stars in the roof of the kings room. There are also two hidden doors in the wall, one leading to the lavatory and the other leading to a secret staircase to the Queens bed chamber which is directly underneath on the previous floor. We then headed back to the small village and got on a bus to Marys bridge which is near the other castle. After a short walk we got to Marys bridge which is a large span bridge over a very long way down river and gorge. It also has a picture postcard view of the next castle Neuschwanstein (which most people will recognise as the basis for walt disney of the disney land castle at his theme parks). We waited for our tour time and then got on our tour and walked around the castle. The castle was never finished and it nearly bankrupted bavaria. Each room is more outlandish than the last and very impressive. There is also a cabinet room which was turned into a grotto (on the third level of the castle). We then got a horse and cart back down the mountain to the village and then we headed for Lindorf. Lindorf is the home of another of King Ludwig 11`s residences and castles. The gardens are just as impressive as the castle (which is really a stately home). In the gardens there is a few fountains and a massive venus god (and four horses) statute fountain, some large walkways covered in vines and even a man mad massive grotto. This grotto is made in a mountain and if quite large, has a small lake and boat and large stage backdrop, lighting and music playing. It was quite impressive. The castle tour goes through the rooms which are more elaborate than any i have seen. There is gold leaf a plenty and lots of expensive items and most of it inspired by Versailles. There was also a room of mirrors which was pretty cool. We then drove to Ausberg and found our Hotel. We had dinner at a traditional Bavarian tavern and had schnitzels.