King Ludwig II Wittelsbach, often referred to as the 'fairy tale king' or the 'mad king,' left behind an architectural legacy that still attracts millions of tourists today. His most famous creation, Neuschwanstein Castle, rises majestically on a rocky hill in the Bavarian Alps. Completed in 1886, this remarkable structure embodies the monarch's romantic dreams of medieval chivalry and Germanic legends.

The history of Neuschwanstein is as fascinating as its architecture. Construction began in 1869, but the king managed to live there only a few months before his mysterious death in 1886. Ludwig II, fascinated by Wagner's operas, created the castle as a tribute to the German composer and his works. The interiors are decorated with scenes from Wagner's Germanic legends and operas, including Tristan and Isolde and Parsifal. Particularly impressive is the Singers' Hall, modeled after the legendary hall from Wartburg Castle, where medieval poetry tournaments were held.

It is interesting to note that although the castle looks like a medieval fortress, it was equipped with the most modern amenities of its time - central heating, running water (including hot water) and a servant summoning system. On the third floor there was an artificial cave with a waterfall and a rainbow created by light passing through crystals. About 1.5 million tourists visit the castle annually, making it one of the most popular attractions in all of Germany.

The second of Ludwig II's fairytale castles is Linderhof Palace, the only residence the king managed to complete during his lifetime. Unlike the monumental Neuschwanstein, Linderhof is relatively small, but extremely richly decorated. Inspired by the French rococo, particularly the palace at Versailles, Linderhof impresses with its splendor and elegance. Particularly impressive is the Hall of Mirrors, where the illusion of infinite space has been created through cleverly placed mirrors. The park surrounding the palace has a number of fascinating structures, including an artificial Venus Grotto with a heated lake, where the king listened to Wagner's operas, and a Moroccan house and Hundingi hut, modeled on Germanic legends.

The third of Ludwig II's grand designs is the Herrenchiemsee Palace, located on the island of Herreninsel in Lake Chiemsee. This monumental building was to be a faithful copy of Versailles and a tribute to Louis XIV, whom the Bavarian monarch admired. Construction began in 1878, but work was halted after the king's death in 1886, leaving many rooms unfinished. Nevertheless, the completed parts of the palace are stunning in their splendor and grandeur. Particularly impressive are the Grand Mirror Gallery, which is even longer than its original at Versailles, and the King's Parade Bedroom with its richly decorated bed, on which Louis II never slept, as the palace served him only as an occasional residence.

All three castles are linked not only by the person of their creator, but also by a tragic fate - none of them was fully completed in accordance with the king's original vision. After Ludwig II's mysterious death in the waters of Lake Starnberg (officially ruled a suicide, though the circumstances remain controversial to this day), construction work was halted. Today, these castles are not only a testament to architectural genius, but also a symbol of the tragic fate of a monarch who favored the world of dreams and fantasy over political reality.

In contrast to the fairy-tale castles of Ludwig II, which were built as expressions of romantic fantasies, Hohenschwangau, Burghausen and Nuremberg Castle are authentic medieval fortresses that for centuries performed important defensive and administrative functions.

Hohenschwangau Castle, located just a few kilometers from the famous Neuschwanstein, is often overlooked by tourists rushing to its more famous neighbor. And that's a shame, because this yellow neo-Gothic building hides a fascinating history. The castle was first mentioned in the 12th century, when it belonged to the knightly Schwangau family. After the family died out in the 16th century, the castle fell into disrepair. It was not until 1832 that the future King Maximilian II, father of Ludwig II, bought back the ruins and had them rebuilt in the then fashionable Neo-Gothic style.

Hohenschwangau's interiors are decorated with numerous wall paintings depicting scenes from Germanic legends and the history of the Wittelsbach family. It was here that young Ludwig II spent his childhood, dreaming of his own castle on the opposite hill. From the windows of his bedroom he watched every day the place where he later erected Neuschwanstein. Hohenschwangau also witnessed the last days of the king's life - it was from here that he set out on his last journey to Lake Starnberg, where his body was found.

Burghausen Castle, located on the Salzach River near the Austrian border, is a true colossus among European fortresses. With impressive wall lengths reaching 1,051 meters, it is considered the longest castle in Europe. Its origins date back to the early Middle Ages - the first fortifications were built here as early as the eighth to ninth centuries, and in subsequent centuries it was expanded to become a mighty fortress.

The castle consists of six courtyards separated by walls and gates, which made it virtually impregnable. For centuries it was one of the main residences of the Bavarian rulers of the Wittelsbach dynasty and a treasury where valuables and insignia of power were kept. Of particular interest is the story of Princess Jadwiga Jagiellonka, daughter of the Polish King Casimir Jagiellon, who, as the wife of Duke George of Bavaria, lived in the castle from 1475 to 1503. Today one of the buildings houses a museum dedicated to her.

Nuremberg Castle, on the other hand, is a symbol of the power of the medieval German emperors. Erected on a rocky hill dominating the city, for centuries it was one of the most important imperial residences in the Reich. Its origins date back to around 1000, and expansion continued over the following centuries. It played a particularly important role during the reign of the emperors of the Hohenstauf dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries.

In contrast to the elaborate palaces of Ludwig II, Nuremberg Castle exudes austere military might. Its massive walls, towers and towers provided effective protection against enemies. Inside the castle are a number of interesting structures, including the 47-meter-deep Imperial Well, carved into the rock in the 13th century, and the castle chapel with Romanesque and Gothic elements. During World War II, the castle was severely damaged during Allied bombing, but was carefully rebuilt after the war.

Each of the three castles represents a different aspect of Bavarian history - Hohenschwangau is a romantic vision of the Middle Ages seen through the eyes of 19th-century architects, Burghausen is a powerful fortress guarding the borders of the duchy, and Nuremberg Castle is a symbol of imperial power. All three offer visitors an authentic experience of history, in contrast to the theatrical setting of Ludwig II's castles.

Nymphenburg Palace, located on the outskirts of Munich, is the perfect addition to our tour of Bavarian castles and palaces. Unlike mountain fortresses and romantic castles, Nymphenburg is a sprawling Baroque-style palace complex that for centuries served as the summer residence of the rulers of Bavaria's Wittelsbach dynasty.

The history of the palace begins in 1664, when Elector Ferdinand Maria commissioned the construction of an 'Italian-style villa' as a gift to his wife, Henrietta Adelaide of Savoy, to celebrate the birth of the long-awaited heir to the throne, the future Elector Maximilian II Emanuel. Originally a small palace, it was gradually expanded by successive rulers, reaching its current impressive size - the facade of the main building is 632 meters long.

The interiors of the palace impress with Baroque and Rococo splendor. Particularly impressive is the Great Gala Hall (Steinerner Saal) with frescoes by Johann Baptist Zimmermann, depicting Olympus with Greek deities. This hall, occupying the central part of the palace and extending through two floors, was the venue for lavish receptions and court ceremonies.

King Ludwig II, the creator of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles, was born at Nymphenburg Palace in 1845. His cradle and childhood portraits can be seen here. It's a fascinating combination - in one place the beginning and end of an era, the birth of a monarch whose fantastic castles were to become the symbol of Bavaria.

One of the most unusual elements of the palace complex is the Beauty Gallery of King Ludwig I. This unusual ruler, the grandfather of Ludwig II, commissioned painter Joseph Stieler to create a collection of 36 portraits of the most beautiful women of his era, regardless of their social background. Among those portrayed were aristocrats, as well as daughters of artisans or even servants who caught the king's eye with their beauty. The most famous of these was Lola Montez, a Spanish dancer whose influence on the king eventually led to his abdication in 1848.

The 200-acre park surrounding the palace is as impressive as the building itself. Originally designed in the French style, with geometric parterres and straight avenues, it was partially transformed into an English-style landscape park in the 18th century. The park includes a number of pavilions, the most famous of which is the Amalienburg, a Rococo masterpiece designed by François de Cuvilliés as a hunting palace for Empress Marie Amalia. Its interiors, covered with silver ornaments on a blue background, are among the most beautiful examples of Rococo in Europe.

Another interesting part of the complex is the Marstall (the former royal stables), which now houses one of the world's largest carriage and sleigh museums. Here you can admire the coronation parade carriages, the everyday vehicles of the royal family and the unusual sleighs used during winter festivals on the frozen lakes.

Nymphenburg Palace, while less well known to international tourists than the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein, offers an equally fascinating experience. It's a place where the history of Bavaria and its rulers is tangibly present in every architectural detail, every piece of furniture and painting. Unlike remote mountain castles, Nymphenburg is easily accessible from the center of Munich, making it an ideal day trip destination.

Comparing all seven of the castles and palaces described, one can see how diverse Bavaria's architectural heritage is. From medieval fortresses (Burghausen, Nuremberg) to Baroque palaces (Nymphenburg) to romantic fantasies of the 19th century (Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Herrenchiemsee). Each of these sites offers a different experience and tells a different story. For lovers of medieval architecture, Burghausen and Nuremberg Castle are likely to be the most interesting. Fans of splendor and elegance should visit Nymphenburg and Herrenchiemsee. Romantic souls, on the other hand, will find fulfillment in fairytale Neuschwanstein and intimate Linderhof.