Fall Break Continues

We spent the next several days exploring the famous castles and villages through the Bavarian Alps. King Ludwig II is reputed to have spent his family's fortune on these castles, most of which he never lived in, but only visited. The story behind his reign, life, love of the arts (and certain artists....*ahem*) and mysterious death are varied and what ledgends are made of. Through it all, he is still one of Germany's most beloved rulers.

I have linked some of the castle, people and places names to interesting and beautiful websites. The Bavarian Alps site has a slideshow with photos of several places we visited, but taken during different seasons.

Our day babysitting Madison we spent close by the hotel. We drove to Oberammergau for a snack, then to Ludwig's Schloss Linderhoff. This is the only castle he built that is complete and that he lived in for an extended time (nine years). This palace is also modeled after Versailles and there are many things in the castle and grounds that are evidence of Ludwig's obsession with King Louis XV of France and with the famous composer Wagner. Again, the gardens and fountains had already been winterized, so we could not tour the famous Venus Grotto on the grounds. The grotto depicts the first act of Wagner's opera, Tannhauser.




Schloss Linderhoff...note wood covered fountain
in the background.




Madison snacking with Aunt Tracy and her cousins.

One day while in Garmish, Ed took us to Kaltenberg. He and Shelly went there during Oktoberfest and said it was hopping. Our visit was very quiet....at first we thought the restaurant was closed. Luckily, it was open and we had a delicious meal there. After, we walked around the area. It is like a walled castle city and since we were the only ones there, it was like going back in time. In the summer months, they host a medieval festival and Will has already said he wants to go back to see that! It would be great to go back to tour the brewery and castle as well.


Will's wiener.


Ed and Madison on the grounds outside the jousting stadium.

Finally, we ventured out for our longest day trip to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. Hohenschwangau is actually the childhood home of King Ludwig II. When he was an adult, and began his obsessive castle building, he built Neuschwanstein on a hill above his parents' castle. It is a haul up the hill, note our rosy cheeks after!


The entrance to Hohenschwangau.




You can see Neuschwanstein behind us, up the hill.




Waiting for our tour time and catching our breath!


Another door for the Ides.


Looking into the courtyard below from a castle window.


A spectacular view of Marienbrucke (Mary's Bridge) over the gorge.

Another hike visitors can take is down from Neuschwanstein to the gorge. Chris and the kids did it, while I made the (very strenuous) hike up to Mary's Bridge. I could see them once they were down in the gorge, playing in the creek. They finally walked all the way back up to the bridge. Too much for me!


Chris and kids walking up to the bridge.


A family photo with Neuschwanstein in the background.


Neuschwanstein...while Disney's Cinderella Castle isn't quite the same, you can see where people draw the comparison.