Famous And Undiscovered Sights
The Königswinkel or literally Kings Corner is a large area of natural beauty that includes Castle Neuschwanstein. It includes the towns of Füssen and Schwangau as well as Pfronten and the resort village on Lake Hopfensee. We also include Reutte and the charming Austrian villages on the ancient Roman Road - Via Claudia Augusta. Fairytale castle Neuschwanstein built by King Ludwig II and Neo-Gothic Castle Hohenschwangau built by Maximilian II, Ludwigs father are world famous. There are several mountain top castle ruins that are also well worth a visit. Falkenstein, Eisenberg and the Ehrenberg Castle Ruins in the nearby Tyrolean Alps are also well worth a visit. (more text)
You will find spectacular mountain views everywhere as well as plenty to do: Castle crawling, swimming in crystal clear lakes, hiking (or walking) along mountain nature trails, biking, and sailing (or boat rowing) to name a few. A lot of Germans take their wellness - health vacations here. In the Winter the ski areas around Reutte and Pfronten are outstanding. Of course, you can escape from it all and find a wealth of natural beauty and solitude, summer or winter. Don't stop with only a visit to Castle Neuschwanstein. The Neuschwanstein area is the most nautrally beautiful area in Germany (back)
Neuschwanstein Sights. Click A Red Square To Go To A Description Of The Sight. Site Navigator
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King Ludwig The Second (Mad Ludwig) created the fairytale Castle Neuschwanstein (circa 1869) like the castles of the medieval German Knights. The interior walls of Castle Neuschwanstein illustrate numerous scenes from Richard Wagner's musical dramas such as Lohengrin's Quest for the Holy Grail (1850). Examples are Siegfried (Lobby), Lohengrin (reception rooms), Tristen and Isolde (bedroom), Tannhauser (study), Master Singers (toilet). Only sixteen rooms are completely finished because of the king's untimely death in 1886 at the age of 41. He reportedly was murdered by shortsighted patriots for trying to sell a part of Bavaria to fund his castle building. Set among mountains and a waterfall, truly romantic Castle Neuschwanstein should not be missed. | ||
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Built by Maximillian The Second (King Ludwig's Father) betweem 1832 and 1836 on the ruins of the much earlier Fortress Schwanstein, Castle Hohenschwangau has the neo-gothic look of an english castle. It has several fanciful rooms which no doubt inspired young Ludwig. The castle is about a five minute walk from the car park. Castle opening times: 8:30-5:30 PM (9:30AM-4:30 Oct.-Mar.) | ||
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There is a bus that leaves every 20 minutes from the bus stop at hotel Lisl. The bus goes to the Jugend Lookout Point (Marienbrücke / St Mary's Bridge) from where it is about 600 meters or a 10-minute walk on a steep downhill path to the entrance of Castle Neuschwanstein. The bridge offers spectacular views of Castle Neuschwanstein. | ||
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Formerly a hunting lodge of King Ludwig who is famous for his Castle Neuschwanstein, the restaurant is located in the middle of the mountains. Getting there is half the fun. Take the little green bus that starts at the tourist office or take the Tegalbergbahn to the top of the mountains and walk the rest of the way, about 2 hours. You can also take a bus to Marienbrücke (St.Mary's Bridge) and walk up the rest of the way, a good 45 minutes. Good plain food reasonably priced. A favorite hiking goal. | ||
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In addition to scenic views and hang gliders along the way, the Tegelbahn drops you off at the starting/ending points of several hiking trails: The segment of the European trail number 4 leading down to Marienbrücke and Castle Neuschwanstein: The Ahornreitweg Trail to the moutain restaurant Bleckenau (about 2 Hrs walking time. From Bleckenau you can catch a bus to Hohenschwangau or walk back to the lower Tegelbahn station in about 1.5 Hours): and the Schutzengelweg Trail through mountain forests back down to the Tegelbahn station (or save the price of the Tegelbahn and walk up the trail with a possible stop for refreshment at the Rohrkopfhütte, figure about 2.5 hours of walking). Don't miss the nearby Luge. | ||
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Open as of March 2000, the center's first production was Ludwig II, A Romantic Musical. The center itself is nicely set on the opposite edge of the Forggensee Lake with a view of Castle Neuschwanstein. It is only a short drive or bike ride from Füssen. | ||
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Lake Hopfensee is an environmentally protected zone and home to numerous water birds including beautiful swans. Rent a row boat to enjoy the birds and the splendid views of the Alps (motor boats are forbidden on the lake). The walk around the lake is splendid anytime of year. The lake covers 2 sq. kilometers, on the average 10 meters deep and is one of the warmest in Bavaria, 20-25 degrees Celsius (68 - 77 Fahrenheit). The water is great for swimming and fishing. | ||
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The castle Hohes Schloss is a short uphill walk from St. Mang. Started In 1291 and finished in 1504, the castle has a late Gothic look. The painted facade of the courtyard (1499) is unique and charming and well worth the walk. Today the castle houses the lower court of Füssen and two art collections. Galleries open: Tuesday-Sunday 11 AM-4 PM (2PM- 4PM Nov.-Mar.). | ||
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The building of the monastery started in the ninth century around the monkish cell of St. Magnus, who died there in 750. The present baroque style of the monastery was added in the eighteenth century. The church offers a number of St. Magnus relics, a crypt fresco dating from 980, and fine alter figures. The monastery also houses the Füssen Municipal Museum including the Annakapelle Chapel and its medieval dance of death series of pictures (circa 1602). The pictures show the Skeleton death whirling away both rich and poor one-by-one.Say Yes, Say No. To The Dance You Go. Church open every day. Museum open: 11AM-4PM (2PM-4PM Nov.-Mar.) Tuesday-Sunday. | ||
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The Breitenberg summit is 1838 meters high. Beautiful downhill slopes lie at elevations between 1400 and 1700 meters. Besides hosting the Ladies World Cup for downhill skiing and giant slalom, its slopes provide great skiing for the whole family, including beginners. In the summertime one hike in the mountains or enjoy the many walks in the foothills, through forest, meadows and moor. The Allgäu-Tirol-Wandercard enables you to explore the mountain peaks of the region by using the many cable and chairlifts that are open in the summer. For hiking goals there are several mountain huts that offer food, drink and a rest stop with spectacular views. There are also possibilities for cyclists and mountain bikers as well as hang-gliders. Para -gliding schools are available for the even more adventurous. | ||
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The highest castle ruins in Germany is the Falkenstein. Situated on a steep cliff at an altitude of 1275 m, it overlooks the Pfronten-Meilingen area. The castle was built in 1059 as fortress for the bishop of Augsburg. The builder of castle Neuschwanstein, King Ludwing II would often walk alone in the ruins of castle Falkenstein on moonlit nights to enjoy the dreamy, romantic beauty and panoramic view over his country. He planned to build a new castle here but the project ended with his death. | ||
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The area around the town of Eisenberg offers unobstructed panoramic views of the Alps and hiking trails to enjoy them. The Eisenberg castle ruins are well worth the hike. The Eisenberg Castle was built in 1315. Destroyed in the peasants rebellion of 1525 and partially restored in 1535. In 1645 the castle was burnt down by the Tyrolean government to prevent it falling into the hands of the French or Swedes during the 30 years religious war. Start in the town of Eisenberg or at the parking spaces near the Schloßbergalm restaurant in the tiny village of Zell near Eisenberg. From here an easy but uphill 20 minute walk takes you to the Eisenberg castle ruins. You can continue to the Castle Freyberg ruins. Nearby is the smaller hill Drachenköpfle" (little dragon head) with the dragon's cave. On the way up (or down) hikers traditionally stop for a drink at the Schloßbergalm. This walk can be done all year round. The ruins are being excavated and preserved, and finds are on display in the castle museum in Zell. | ||
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The main ski area around Reutte is Hahnenkamm mountain. The Seilbahn station at the base of the mountain is about 3 km from Lechaschau village. Hahnenkamm offers a cabin, double-chair, and several tow lifts. Experienced skiers and beginners alike find riuns just right for them, some over 2400 metes long. Vertically the ski area goes from 900 meters to 1740 meters elevation. There is a pleasent restaurant at the top where you can relax and enjoy the sun and the view. | ||
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"Castle Ehrenberg offers everything you expect from a castle of the Middle Ages: fortified walls, high towers and a great deal of history. Where history stops, legend begins. As long as the castle existed, construction took place, so that you can find traces of this work which was spread over approximately half a millennium. For a long time life was peaceful at Ehrenberg. This changed, however, when the Religious Wars broke out. More than once Ehrenberg was the centre of armed conflicts. In 1546 the Protestants conquered the fortress. In 1552 the Elector Moritz of Saxony took it by surprise. In 1632 the Swedes stopped just before its walls. In 1703 during the Spanish War of Succession it fell victim to the Bavarians. From 1716 to 1717 it became the place of residence of the Russian Tsarevitch Alexander, who had fled from his father, Tsar Peter the Great." -- Contact Address: Assocation European Castle Museum Ehrenberg, DI Armin Walch Kög 22, 6600 Reutte. Tel. +43 5672 64242, Fax +43 5672 64460, e-mail: info@ehrenberg.at | ||
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Lovely Lake Plansee starts a few km from the town of Reutte. It is 5 square km in size, 78 meters deep, and has an average water temperature in the month of August of 20 degrees Centigrade (68 degrees Fahrenheit). Lake Plansee offers good sailing, boating, and fishing. You will even find a suba diving school. Between May and October you can take a tour boat around the lake. There are good hiking and bicycling ways around the Lake. | ||