Hohenschwangau Castle

Hohenschwangau Castle is a 19^th century palace located in the village of Hohenschwangau in Germany.  The castle was built upon the remains of Schuangau fortress, which was believed to have been built by a family of knights in the 12^th century.  After the demise of the knights in the 16^th century, the fortress changed hands many times, eventually falling into ruins by the 19^th century.  In 1832, Prince Maximilian (later the King of Bavaria) acquired the castle and reconstruction began in the Gothic style.  King Maximilian and his wife Marie spent many months out of the year at the castle with their sons, Ludwig and Otto.  When Ludwig came to the throne after his father’s death, he continued to live with his mother at Hohenschwangau Castle, while the building of his beautiful Castle Neuschwanstein was being constructed nearby.  After Ludwig’s death, Queen Marie continued to live at the castle and her brother-in-law, Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria moved into the 3^rd floor of the castle.  Luitpold updated the structure by adding electricity and an elevator.  Luitpold died in 1912 and the castle was opened as a museum the following year.  In 1923, the castle was recognized to be the right of the royal family and they continue to summer at the estate.  The castle is open to the public and guided tours are available in many languages.