Neuschwanstein or Bellinoza castles?
 

I am traveling from Konstanz, Germany to the Milan, Italy area (7 days total by rail) and I want to experience at least one castle. Neuschwanstein (Germany) is what I think of when I think "castle". Is this a do-not-miss site when in Europe, or would I be just as happy seeing the castles in Bellinoza, Switzerland? Or is there another castle that I shouldn't miss? Thanks!

Hi, Sandy. I can tell you that I thought Neuschwanstein was one of THE WORST places I have ever visited, and I have travelled from Buenos Aires to Angkor Wat to Sri Lanka to Edinburgh. The castle is truly tacky. It was built by King Ludwig II in the late 19th century to resemble a Gothic castle. It looks very fake, like something you would see at Disney World. The castle is also empty, very little furniture. The only thing memorable about the place was the frescoes based on German legends. However, if you want to look at chandeliers made of tin, painted gold to look like real gold, and embedded with pieces of colored glass to resemble rubies and emeralds, this is the place for you.

It would depend on your interest in 19th century history and the cultural change that swept Europe in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

ThinGorjus sees tacky, others see evidence of the crumbling imperial age. Only 12-15 of the rooms were finished, but, while there might well be some painted tin and fake stones, those rooms also contain some of the finest 19th century craftsmenship you'll see anywhere.

It is a fantastic creation of a somewhat unusual mind (to be polite), but that does not mean it is not worth a visit.

It all depends on your life experience and background, I guess.

I don't like Florence; others love it. I love Venice; others loathe it. TG finds Neuschwanstein "worst" and "tacky"; I find it fascinating and fantastic.

Chacon a son gout.

Ooh, anyone else want to weigh in? Been to Bellinzona?

Thanks for your input, ThinGorjus & RufusTFirefly!

I have to say I was a bit disappointed with Neuschwanstein. Except the exterior view of it from the hanging bridge is amazing. Ludwig was into fantasy at the time, so the castle didn't strike me as a place where 'normal' people actually lived. More like Michael Jackson's Neverland version of a castle! Although it does have some amazing workmanship, it's more than a bit over the top. I preferred the royal apartments in Vienna, the fort at Salzburg, and other castles and palaces where people actually conducted daily lives in that era. To each his own, but I'd say not to make a big effort to see it if you have more convenient locations.

Well, I think the point is that Ludwig was abnormal. It's a major part of the history of the castle.

We enjoyed the fantastic 'over-the-topness' of Neuschwanstein - and the long walk up the hill is good for the lungs. We also enjoyed Ludwig's other castles i.e. Lindenhof (near Garmisch Partenkirchen)and also the Schloss on the Herren island in the middle of Chiemsee Lake - both part of Ludwig's fantasies. I enjoyed the royal apartments in Vienna too.

Have not seen the castle in Bellinzona.

I've only driven by the Bellinzona castles but never saw the inside. They look more like old forts so don't expect dreamcastles.

I personally thought Neuschwanstein was a waste of time, but if you just want to see a german hilltop castle it may serve the purpose. I have a strange feeling that LAS VEGAS may built a better Neuschwanstein soon, all it takes is a dream casino king and the rest is history, so patience may pay off!

Your time is better spent in Switzerland and the Italian lakes.

Hi Sandy11,

Well I have another castle you may want to consider; it's closer to Milan than Neuschwanstein and it's more dramatic than those at Bellinzona. It's the Chateau de Chillon outside of Montreux (www.chillon.ch). Chillon was built in the 12th-13th Century; Byron wrote a poem about it ("The Prisoner of Chillon"), and it appears in at least one of the stories of Henry James. You can take tours of the inside to see the living and sleeping areas as well as the dungeon. It's never overrun with tourists, and it's also set in a gorgeous lakeside setting.

Montreux is about 3h30 from Milan by train with 0 changes.

Of course, I'm sort of partial to Montreux.

x

Ok, so I'm going to agree with both Rufus and S': For dramatic contrast between two castle experiences, you can't beat Neuschwanstein and Chillon. One is fairytale and one fortress. But Lac Leman is out of your way from Constance. (By the way, there's a wonderful castle in Meersburg on Bodensee!) So I think you should do some web-exploring to find pictures of the three fortresses at Bellinzona to choose one. Or stay tuned, someone here has probably visited all three and can assist. But don't let anyone deter you from making your visit to Neuschwanstein. There are lots of architectural details to savor and the site is spectacular. J.

Some links for the castle in Bellinzona:

http://www.castelgrande.ch/

http://www.bellinzona.ch//Cultura/castelli.htm

http://www.bellinzona.ch//Cultura/unesco.htm

Hi Sandy, I loved Bellinzona, but the castles may not be what you're expecting. You won't really "go into" anything but you will see three dramatic castle structures, dating back to 1200; each situated a little higher on the hill from the next and all connected by a marvelous stone wall (which you can walk on). There are vineyards everywhere and it's a beautiful place. If you could see Chillon and Bellinzona I think you would have a wonderful time and your castle need would be satisfied.