King Ludwig II of Bavaria had a problem--he was insane.  Our at least that is what the people who finally pulled him from power said.  This may or may not be true, but it is clear that he started several beautiful castles in Bavaria.

This was the part of the trip that Lori called the "Puzzle Trip".  Not because it was confusing or there was something there that needed solving, but because each of the castles we were visiting are common puzzle pictures.  You see, Ludwig may have been insane, but he did know how to locate a castle.

Hohenschwangau

Ludwig's abilities to dream up a castle probably got a start when he was living with his parents in the castle of Hohenschwangau.  This is where he spent much time as a child.  An impressive exterior furnished to look like scenes out of a Wagnerian opera.  This scene-setting would carry through to the design of his homes--as would his desire to do better than his father.  Just look at how Neuschwanstein was placed to look down on his father's home.

Neuschwanstein

Of all the 'puzzle' castles, this one is perhaps the most famous.  Built on the side of the mountain and stretching for the skies, this castle looks like either a strong defensive structure from the middle ages or from out of the pages of Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty.  In truth it is closer to the later.  Started in the 1868, Neuschwanstein was almost finished with several of the rooms furnished when the king was removed from power.  It remains a beautiful dream and an impressive site.

Linderhof

Linderhof, just down the road from the other two castles, was the only castle of Ludwig's completed (there were others on the drawing boards when he lost power) and the smallest of them all.  This is also where he spent most of his time.  

Ludwig translates as Louis in French and Ludwig set out to make his home a replica of the Versailles of Louis XIV of France, but on a more intimate scale.  A much more intimate scale.  Where Versailles has hundreds of rooms, Linderhof has very few rooms.  Where the gardens of Versailles extend for miles in all directions, the gardens of Linderhof are much closer.  This intimacy, however, does not take away from the beauty of the setting, the building, or the furnishings.  They are all impressive, especially when the naturally powered fountain erupts.

Where Neuschwanstein looks down on his father's home, Linderhof is similar in that it plays tribute to Wagner, this time with an entire manmade grotto, complete with a golden skiff for paddling on a private lake while music is played in the background.  Again, impressive.  Also a bit sad.