Neuschwanstein Castle of Germany (德國新天鵝城堡)

Neuschwanstein Castle of Germany

Perhaps the most famous of castles in Germany, if not the world, Neuschwanstein was commissioned by the reclusive Ludwig II of Bavaria in the 19th century. Built in Romanesque Revival style, its iconic elongated shape rises from the top of a cliff, embellished with slim towers, turrets, gables and balconies. The castle, seen as the epitome of Romanticism, inspired the Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland. But perhaps what sets it apart from these other castles is that it was planned and built in consecutive stages and without fortifications, instead of acquiring its design through centuries of improvements. In fact, Neuschwanstein has barely served as anything other than a tourist attraction. After living in his palatial castle for a mere total of 172 days, Ludwig died in 1886 before construction was completed, and the castle was opened to the public less than six weeks later. More than 60 million people have visited since then, with about 1.3 now visiting annually.