Neuschwanstein Castle (Sleeping Beauty's Castle) Fussen, Germany - Near the Austrian Border.

Neuschwanstein Castle (German: Schloß/Schloss Neuschwanstein, lit. New Swan Stone Castle; IPA pronunciation: is a 19th century Bavarian castle. Located in Germany, near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, the castle was built by Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, as a retreat and as an homage to Richard Wagner, the King's inspiring muse. It is the most photographed building in Germany, although photography of the interior is not permitted, and is one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations.
The conception of the castle was outlined by Ludwig II in a letter to Richard Wagner, dated May 13, 1868;

"It is my intention to rebuild the old castle ruin at Hohenschwangau near the Pollat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles...the location is the most beautiful one could find, holy and unapproachable, a worthy temple for the divine friend who has brought salvation and true blessing to the world."
The castle was originally called "New Hohenschwangau Castle" until the king's death, when it was re-named Neuschwanstein, the castle of the Swan Knight, Lohengrin, of Wagner's opera of the same name. In origin, the castle has been the Schwanstein, the seat of the knights of Schwangau, whose emblem had been the swan.

The castle comprises a gatehouse, a Bower, the Knight's House with a square tower, and a Palas, or citadel, with two towers to the Western end. The effect of the whole is highly theatrical, both externally and within.[citation needed] The king's influence is apparent throughout and he took a keen personal interest in the design and decoration. An example can be seen in his comments, or commands, regarding a mural depicting Lohengrin in the Palas; "His Majesty wishes that .. the ship be placed further from the shore, that Lohengrin's neck be less tilted, that the chain from the ship to the swan be of gold and not of roses, and finally that the style of the castle shall be kept medieval."[citation needed] The castle includes a room made to look like a cavern, as well as a secret flushing toilet in the master bedroom. The toilet flushes with water collected from an aqueduct.
The suite of rooms within the Palas contains the Throne Room followed by Ludwig's suite, followed by the Singers' Hall and by the Grotto. Throughout, the design pays homage to the German legends of Lohengrin, the Swan Knight. Hohenschwangau, where Ludwig spent much of his youth, had decorations of these sagas. These themes were taken up in the operas of [[Richard Wagner. However, many of the interior rooms remain undecorated; only 14 rooms were finished before Ludwig's death.
Despite its medieval look, the construction of Neuschwanstein required the modern technology of the day, and the castle is a marvel of technological structural achievements. Steam engines and electricity, modern venting, and heating pipes are all part of the structure.

It is now almost forgotten that Ludwig II was a patron of modern inventions and that he pioneered the introduction of electricity into public life in Bavaria. His new castles were the first to use electricity (i.e. the Venus Grotto at Linderhof) and other modern conveniences. Through his building activities Ludwig kept many particular crafts alive the knowledge and expertise of which would have died out otherwise, and he provided work and income to a large number of artisans, builders, plasterers, decorators, etc.
 

The castle's famous fairytale appearance lends itself to frequent use in popular culture:

Neuschwanstein served as the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. It also served as inspiration for Walt Disney in his concept for the castle in the classic animated feature Cinderella, and thus Cinderella Castle is based on the movie's portrayal.
In Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg Virginia there is a haunted ride named "Curse of DarKastle" that is based on King Ludwig II and Neuschwanstein.
Neuschwanstein appears prominently in television and several films, including The Amazing Race and Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Great Escape, The Timekeeper, Ludwig, and Space balls.