Neuschwanstein Castle was built on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria (25 August 1845 - 13 June 1886) as a retreat for the shy and reclusive king who reigned from 1864 until shortly before his mysterious death and as an homage to the composer Richard Wagner whom he greatly admired. The castle was opened to the paying public immediately after his death. It has appeared in several movies and was the inspiration for Disnyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle. The castle was built on the ruins of two earlier castles. The palace can be regarded as typical for 19th century architecture. The shapes of romanesque (simple geometric figures such as cuboids and semicircular arches), Gothic (upward-pointing lines, slim towers, delicate embellishments) and Byzantine architecture and art (the Throne Hall decor) were mingled in an eclectic fashion and supplemented with 19th century technical achievements. White limestone was used for the fronts, sandstone bricks for the portals and bay windows, marble for the windows, arch ribs, columns and capitals, and steel for the framework of the Throne Hall. Ludwig II only lived in the palace for a total of 172 days. In June 1886 the Bavarian government decided to depose the king. On June 13 he died under mysterious circumstances in the shallow shore water of Lake Starnberg near Castle Berg. Copyright: All drawings in this site are under copyright by this artist. Reproduction by any electronic or mechanical means for commercial purposes is prohibited.