N is for Neuschwanstein

During our cold February break we took a trip to Munich. While there we ventured to Bavaria, Germany to see Neuschwanstein Castle. It was built for King Ludwig II as a place of solitude and escape from Munich. He was mysterious and reclusive and his fantasy castle saw very few visitors until after his death. During World War II the SS contemplated blowing it up so it wouldn't end up in "enemy" hands. I am so thankful it was preserved. It is now one of the most visited castles in all of Europe.

It was a freezing cold snowy day when we visited, and it's quite a hike from the car park to the castle doors, so we opted for a carriage ride instead.

This absolutely beautiful place is exactly what a castle should look like, exactly what fairy tales are made of. Turrets and curved towers, an interior labyrinth of over 200 rooms, all ornately decorated.
The castle is surrounded by scraggly mountains and lakes. In fact one of the lakes is called Swan Lake- can't you just picture a jealous sorcerer turning a beautiful woman into a swan and holding her captive here? Neuschwanstein was also the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle. I think I need to go back and visit in the summertime when it looks like this.... 
On another excursion we spent a day in Salzburg. Visiting Mozart's home and seeing the Sound of Music sights where we occasionally broke into song.
No trip to Munich is complete without visiting the Hofbrauhaus and enjoying sauerbraten with an Oompah band playing in the background. And just to clarify, that is neither my German hat nor my German beer in the picture below. After all I was only 16 going on 17... 

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I felt strange posting like it's just any other day after yesterday's tragedy. My heart just breaks for the people of Boston and the world seems to get darker every day. But I know that my God is sovereign and He calls us to give thanks in ALL circumstances. And when the weight of the sadness is too much to bear this verse brings me so much comfort:

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He comforts those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

Comments

  1. Ahhh! I lived in Germany for a few years and your pictures are making me miss it so much!

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  2. My husband says that is the best castle in Germany and he can't wait to take me there someday. He never saw it in snow though which I think adds something to the pretty pictures.

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  3. I'm loving this trek back thru our travels. I'd like to see it in the summertime too...Let's!!

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  4. I might pass on the freezing cold carriage ride! But the beers look nice :)

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  5. Love this N .....one of my favorite places in Germany! Froze my butt off walking that walk! Happy Wednesday!

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