I’ve gotten to visit several of these through the years:
17h • 17 tweets • 6 min read • Read on X
Would you believe me if I told you this castle was built just 155 years ago?
It has everything and anything you could imagine... from central heating and flushing toilets to an artificial cave.
And it completely changes the way we look at medieval castles... 🧵
This is Neuschwanstein Castle, in Germany — one of the most majestic "fairytale" castles you will ever find.
And it's a masterpiece of fantasy, blending Gothic and Romanesque architecture to create a setting that is dream-like...
Neuschwanstein was a vision by King Ludwig II, a monarch obsessed with medieval legends and opera.
In particular, the works of Richard Wagner.
So when construction began in 1869, the castle was designed to be Ludwig's personal homage to him.
Though the castle feels ancient, it's actually a product of Romanticism, an idealized vision of the past, not an authentic medieval structure.
The design reflects Ludwig's personal nostalgia for an era he never lived in but desperately longed for.
Oddly, it wasn’t even fully finished when the king died in 1886.
The Throne Hall (which was modeled after Byzantine churches) remained incomplete — though you’d never know it with the grandeur of what was completed.
In fact, Ludwig spent very little time in the castle.
Just 172 days after moving in, he was declared mentally unfit to rule and mysteriously died soon after.
His dream project, left unfinished, became a public monument rather than a royal retreat.
The interior is something many forget about when they see the exterior of Neuschwanstein.
But it is just as impressive.
It's rooms are filled with murals depicting scenes from German mythology, many inspired by Wagner’s operas.
The king’s bedroom alone took four years to carve and is an intricately detailed shrine to the medieval era.
One of the most striking rooms is the Singers' Hall, which was modeled after a similar hall in the Wartburg Castle.
The space was intended for grand concerts, but Ludwig never hosted any.
Instead, it served as yet another tribute to Wagner's operatic world.
And there was also the artificial cave, the Grotto.
You would think it is rather strange or out-of-place in a castle, fit with a waterfall and colored lighting.
But it was likely inspired by the famous grotto on the island of Capri, mentioned in Wagner’s opera "Tannhäuser".
But here’s the curious part: Neuschwanstein was equipped with cutting-edge technology for its time.
Central heating, running water, and even telephones were installed.
It’s a strange juxtaposition — medieval fantasy that meets modern engineering.
But Neuschwanstein isn't the only modern castle to catch you by surprise.
There's also the Pena Palace in Portugal.
An eclectic mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish styles rebuilt by King Ferdinand II in 1854.
And then there's Chapultepec Castle in Mexico (from 1864).
One of the few royal castles every built in the Americas.
Being especially unique with its stunning blend of neoclassical style and Mexican art on the inside.
Hohenzollern is another striking example.
Today, it is the third version from 1867 that we see from the 11th century original.
It was rebuilt in the form of Romantic and neo-Gothic architecture and equipped with everything you would need: turrets, towers and ramparts.
The Chateau de Pierrefonds (1857) is also an extraordinary rebuild — much more magnificent than its medieval origins 400 years prior.
It stands as one of the greatest visions of what modern, medieval castles can look like.
Which modern medieval castle is your favorite?
Castles displayed the pinnacle of architecture just 200 years ago.
If you want to get a taste of what it would have felt like:
Join my FREE newsletter where we cover similar topics, dropping every Friday in your inbox. 👇
The House of WisdomCulture, History and Tradition that touches your soul.http://worldscholar.beehiiv.com/subscribe
• • •
World Scholar
@WorldScholar_17h • 17 tweets • 6 min read • Read on X
Would you believe me if I told you this castle was built just 155 years ago?
It has everything and anything you could imagine... from central heating and flushing toilets to an artificial cave.
And it completely changes the way we look at medieval castles... 🧵
This is Neuschwanstein Castle, in Germany — one of the most majestic "fairytale" castles you will ever find.
And it's a masterpiece of fantasy, blending Gothic and Romanesque architecture to create a setting that is dream-like...
Neuschwanstein was a vision by King Ludwig II, a monarch obsessed with medieval legends and opera.
In particular, the works of Richard Wagner.
So when construction began in 1869, the castle was designed to be Ludwig's personal homage to him.
Though the castle feels ancient, it's actually a product of Romanticism, an idealized vision of the past, not an authentic medieval structure.
The design reflects Ludwig's personal nostalgia for an era he never lived in but desperately longed for.
Oddly, it wasn’t even fully finished when the king died in 1886.
The Throne Hall (which was modeled after Byzantine churches) remained incomplete — though you’d never know it with the grandeur of what was completed.
In fact, Ludwig spent very little time in the castle.
Just 172 days after moving in, he was declared mentally unfit to rule and mysteriously died soon after.
His dream project, left unfinished, became a public monument rather than a royal retreat.
The interior is something many forget about when they see the exterior of Neuschwanstein.
But it is just as impressive.
It's rooms are filled with murals depicting scenes from German mythology, many inspired by Wagner’s operas.
The king’s bedroom alone took four years to carve and is an intricately detailed shrine to the medieval era.
One of the most striking rooms is the Singers' Hall, which was modeled after a similar hall in the Wartburg Castle.
The space was intended for grand concerts, but Ludwig never hosted any.
Instead, it served as yet another tribute to Wagner's operatic world.
And there was also the artificial cave, the Grotto.
You would think it is rather strange or out-of-place in a castle, fit with a waterfall and colored lighting.
But it was likely inspired by the famous grotto on the island of Capri, mentioned in Wagner’s opera "Tannhäuser".
But here’s the curious part: Neuschwanstein was equipped with cutting-edge technology for its time.
Central heating, running water, and even telephones were installed.
It’s a strange juxtaposition — medieval fantasy that meets modern engineering.
But Neuschwanstein isn't the only modern castle to catch you by surprise.
There's also the Pena Palace in Portugal.
An eclectic mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish styles rebuilt by King Ferdinand II in 1854.
And then there's Chapultepec Castle in Mexico (from 1864).
One of the few royal castles every built in the Americas.
Being especially unique with its stunning blend of neoclassical style and Mexican art on the inside.
Hohenzollern is another striking example.
Today, it is the third version from 1867 that we see from the 11th century original.
It was rebuilt in the form of Romantic and neo-Gothic architecture and equipped with everything you would need: turrets, towers and ramparts.
The Chateau de Pierrefonds (1857) is also an extraordinary rebuild — much more magnificent than its medieval origins 400 years prior.
It stands as one of the greatest visions of what modern, medieval castles can look like.
Which modern medieval castle is your favorite?
Castles displayed the pinnacle of architecture just 200 years ago.
If you want to get a taste of what it would have felt like:
Join my FREE newsletter where we cover similar topics, dropping every Friday in your inbox. 👇
The House of WisdomCulture, History and Tradition that touches your soul.http://worldscholar.beehiiv.com/subscribe
• • •
