Language & Landmarks: Neuschwanstein Castle

Guten Tag and Herzlich Willkommen to Neuschwanstein (New Swan Stone) Castle in Bavaria, Germany. If the fairy tale spires and turrets look at all familiar, it may be because Neushwanstein was the model for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, one of the trademarks for Disney theme parks all over the world. King Ludwig II, often called Mad Ludwig, began construction of this palace in1869 and planned its completion for 1872. His vision was inspired by the beauty of the Hohenschwangau Valley, where the castle stands, and was a tribute to Richard Wagner, the famous German composer of an opera entitled Lohengrin, the Swan Knight. Ludwig identified with Lohengrin, and was a devotee of Wagner, a brilliant composer and conductor who greatly influenced European classical music. This beautiful structure, originally known as “Neu Hohenschwangau”, was designed by a theater set director instead of an architect, which might account for its dreamlike, other worldly aura. It wasn’t until 1884 when Ludwig finally took up residence in the still incomplete palace. Sadly he only lived there for a total of 11 nights. Economic woes, poor leadership and general political chaos surrounded his reign and he was declared insane and unfit to rule by a board of cabinet-appointed psychiatrists who never even examined him! Just three days later he died under mysterious circumstances, and the castle, which never even had a throne, remained incomplete. Cultures around the world are brimming with fascinating histories, intriguing people, romance, art, music and a language that describes these elements in a unique and unparalleled way. Why limit ourselves to speaking one language?

-- Mary Beauregard, Global LT Intercultural Consultant

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