UNESCO adds Bavarian palaces to World Heritage List – DW – 07/12/2025
UNESCO has added Neuschwanstein, along with Herrenchiemsee Palace, Linderhof Castle and the King's House on Schachen, to its list of official World Heritage Sites. We'll introduce you to those three other sites in just a moment, but we begin our tour with by far the most popular: the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein. Image: BSV, Beck
Neuschwanstein Castle, which is located in the foothills of the Alps in the very south of Germany close to the border with Austria, attracted over one million visitors in 2024, according to the Bavarian Palace Administration. It is also said to have been the inspiration for Disney's world-famous Cinderella Castle. It was built between 1869 and 1892 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Image: Peter Widmann/imago images
Even though King Ludwig II died in 1886, he was still able to live at Neuschwanstein for at least six months despite it still being a building site. The Singers' Hall gives an indication of the castle's modest furnishings. King Ludwig II never wanted to open it to the public but six weeks after his death the doors were opened to visitors. Image: Stefan Puchner/dpa/picture alliance
Linderhof Palace is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II. However, it is the only fully developed palace and also the only one that was inhabited by King Ludwig II for a substantial period of time. Perhaps that is why it attracts so many visitors. With over 350,000 visitors, it ranks second — by a fair margin — to Neuschwanstein. Image: Guenter Graefenhain/imageBROKER/picture alliance
A special feature of Linderhof Palace is the Venus Grotto. King Ludwig II had the largest artificial grotto of the 19th century built in just two years (1875-1877) for his sole use. In the 90-metre-long and up to 14-metre-high artificial stalactite cave, he was able to recreate faraway places and opera scenes with clever lighting effects. Image: Sven Hoppe/dpa/picture alliance
From 1878 to 1886, King Ludwig II had the New Herrenchiemsee Palace built on the Herreninsel in Lake Chiemsee, which explains the name. Versailles Palace near Paris served as a model. In terms of visitor numbers, it ranks third of the four sites, with just over 300,000 visitors last year. However, it tops the list for construction costs. Image: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa/picture alliance
The construction of Herrenchiemsee cost more than Neuschwanstein and Linderhof residencies combined. More than 4.5 kg of gold leaf was used in the magnificent bedroom and the other rooms. It was a rather expensive pleasure considering King Ludwig II only lived in Herrenchiemsee Palace, his last major building project, for a few days. Image: Sunny Celeste/Bildagentur-online/picture alliance
King's House on Schachen is not only smaller than the three residencies, it also attracts fewer visitors: last year, there were just under 7,000 visitors to the site. This could also be due to its location: 1,866 meters up in the Wetterstein mountains. It was built from wood between 1869 and 1872. Image: Angelika Warmuth/dpa/picture alliance
There are five living rooms on the first floor of the King's House on Schachen and the Turkish Hall on the upper floor. This was modeled on a hall in the palace of Eyüp. To make it look authentic, the servants were placed in the hall in oriental dress, where they had to smoke hookahs and drink tea. Every year on August 25, King Ludwig II celebrated his birthday there. Image: Frank Leonhardt/dpaweb/dpa/picture-alliance 07/12/2025 July 12, 2025
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DW
a day ago
- DW
UNESCO adds Bavarian palaces to World Heritage List – DW – 07/12/2025
Image: BSV, Beck UNESCO has added Neuschwanstein, along with Herrenchiemsee Palace, Linderhof Castle and the King's House on Schachen, to its list of official World Heritage Sites. We'll introduce you to those three other sites in just a moment, but we begin our tour with by far the most popular: the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein. Image: BSV, Beck Neuschwanstein Castle, which is located in the foothills of the Alps in the very south of Germany close to the border with Austria, attracted over one million visitors in 2024, according to the Bavarian Palace Administration. It is also said to have been the inspiration for Disney's world-famous Cinderella Castle. It was built between 1869 and 1892 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Image: Peter Widmann/imago images Even though King Ludwig II died in 1886, he was still able to live at Neuschwanstein for at least six months despite it still being a building site. The Singers' Hall gives an indication of the castle's modest furnishings. King Ludwig II never wanted to open it to the public but six weeks after his death the doors were opened to visitors. Image: Stefan Puchner/dpa/picture alliance Linderhof Palace is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II. However, it is the only fully developed palace and also the only one that was inhabited by King Ludwig II for a substantial period of time. Perhaps that is why it attracts so many visitors. With over 350,000 visitors, it ranks second — by a fair margin — to Neuschwanstein. Image: Guenter Graefenhain/imageBROKER/picture alliance A special feature of Linderhof Palace is the Venus Grotto. King Ludwig II had the largest artificial grotto of the 19th century built in just two years (1875-1877) for his sole use. In the 90-metre-long and up to 14-metre-high artificial stalactite cave, he was able to recreate faraway places and opera scenes with clever lighting effects. Image: Sven Hoppe/dpa/picture alliance From 1878 to 1886, King Ludwig II had the New Herrenchiemsee Palace built on the Herreninsel in Lake Chiemsee, which explains the name. Versailles Palace near Paris served as a model. In terms of visitor numbers, it ranks third of the four sites, with just over 300,000 visitors last year. However, it tops the list for construction costs. Image: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa/picture alliance The construction of Herrenchiemsee cost more than Neuschwanstein and Linderhof residencies combined. More than 4.5 kg of gold leaf was used in the magnificent bedroom and the other rooms. It was a rather expensive pleasure considering King Ludwig II only lived in Herrenchiemsee Palace, his last major building project, for a few days. Image: Sunny Celeste/Bildagentur-online/picture alliance King's House on Schachen is not only smaller than the three residencies, it also attracts fewer visitors: last year, there were just under 7,000 visitors to the site. This could also be due to its location: 1,866 meters up in the Wetterstein mountains. It was built from wood between 1869 and 1872. Image: Angelika Warmuth/dpa/picture alliance There are five living rooms on the first floor of the King's House on Schachen and the Turkish Hall on the upper floor. This was modeled on a hall in the palace of Eyüp. To make it look authentic, the servants were placed in the hall in oriental dress, where they had to smoke hookahs and drink tea. Every year on August 25, King Ludwig II celebrated his birthday there. Image: Frank Leonhardt/dpaweb/dpa/picture-alliance 07/12/2025 July 12, 2025
Local Germany
2 days ago
- Local Germany
'Fairytale' Neuschwanstein castle becomes UNESCO heritage site
Three other royal residences, also constructed in the late 19th Century under the famously arts-obsessed King Ludwig II of Bavaria, were also added to the coveted list: Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof and Schachen. Neuschwanstein, perched on a rocky, 200m-high Alpine crag, is Germany's most visited castle, with almost 1.5 million people flocking there every year. "A fairytale comes true for our fairytale castles: We are #WorldHeritage!" Bavaria's governor, Markus Soeder, wrote on X after the announcement. Neuschwanstein combines an idealised medieval exterior with architectural techniques considered cutting-edge at the time. Its main rooms are adorned with paintings of German and Nordic legends, the same stories that inspired composer Richard Wagner, for whom Ludwig was a generous patron. Peter Seibert of the Bavarian Castles Administration (BSV) told AFP that the UNESCO listing "is a very great responsibility, but also recognition... for the work we have done so far in preservation". Philippe, a 52-year-old visitor from Canada, was surprised that the castle was not already a World Heritage Site. "We're lucky to still be able to experience this," he said, calling the listing "a very good idea". Herrenchiemsee meanwhile evokes a Versailles in miniature on a lake between Munich and Salzburg, an homage to absolute monarch Louis XIV of France, whom Ludwig admired. Indeed Ludwig nicknamed Herrencheimsee "Meicost-Ettal", an anagram of Louis XIV's alleged aphorism "L'Etat, c'est moit" ("I am the state"). Advertisement 'Part of Bavarian identity' The third site in the UNESCO listing is the small castle of Linderhof, completed in 1878, the only one to have been finished in Ludwig's lifetime. It mixes elements of French Baroque architecture from the reign of Louis XIV with touches of the Rococo style developed in southern Germany. Its park boasts an artificial cave inspired by Wagner's opera Tannhaeuser, 90 metres long and up to 14 metres high, which houses a grotto of Venus and was designed as a personal retreat for Ludwig. The electric lighting system used in the cave was state of the art at the time, with glass discs used to illuminate the grotto in different colours. The last of the four sites on the list is Schachen, a royal house in the style of a large Swiss chalet, where Ludwig liked to celebrate the saint's day of his namesake St Louis on August 25. Advertisement It is located at 1,800 metres above sea level, not far from Neuschwanstein. The four castles have become "part of Bavarian identity" says Seibert, "iconic and perfectly embedded in a beautiful landscape". Ironically, while Ludwig's architectural legacy is today a source of pride in Bavaria -- not to mention tourist revenue -- they were part of the reason for his own downfall. The ruinous construction costs of the lavish residences led the Bavarian government to depose him, declaring him insane. Interned in Berg Palace, he died shortly afterwards in mysterious circumstances at Lake Starnberg.
Local Germany
3 days ago
- Local Germany
Five of Germany's busiest tourist attractions and where to go instead
Popularity always comes with a price. Many of Germany's most iconic tourist attractions have become so crowded in recent years that it can be tricky to really see what you're looking at through the seas of other onlookers armed with selfie-sticks. But in a country with so much history and many rich traditions, there's nearly always an alternative to the queues and complications of visiting a guidebook heavy-weight. In many cases, an alternative destination may be even more awe-inspiring, and sometimes it's only just around the corner. Here's our list of five of the most overcrowded tourist attractions in Germany - and our recommendations for the lower profile destinations you can try instead. 1. Neuschwanstein Castle Perched atop a rugged hill in Bavaria, Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria was the original inspiration for Disney's Cinderella Castle. It's since become one of Germany's biggest tourist attractions, with visitors coming from far and wide to catch a glimpse (and many photos) of the picture perfect palace. But with over 1.3 million visitors annually, the current reality is that guests here need to secure timed entry slots that are booked out weeks in advance, and then endure slow-moving tour groups that clog the castle's halls. READ ALSO: 10 surprising facts you should know about Neuschwanstein Castle In peak season, the lines for tickets can stretch for hours, while the nearby village of Schwangau groans under the weight of busloads of tourists – and the situation might be about to get worse as the castle looks set for inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Where to go instead Germany is home to thousands of castles - perhaps as many as 25,000 according to some estimates - so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding an alternative to Neuschwanstein that is every bit as captivating. The silhouette of Braunfels castle at sunset. Germany has no shortage of perfect fairy tale castles. Photo: picture alliance / dpa / Frank Rumpenhorst Braunfels Castle in Hessen, for example, offers a similarly magical silhouette, complete with towers and ramparts, but without the crowds. Family-owned for centuries, the castle offers guided tours, art exhibits, and peaceful gardens. Other castles well worth a visit include Marienburg Castle , located 30 kilometres from Hannover on the outskirts of Hildesheim. Built between 1858 and 1867 by King George V as a gift for his wife, it's one of the best-preserved castles in Europe. Or, if you're absolutely set on the Bavarian fairy tale idea, you can check out Hohenschwangau . It's actually possible to see Hohenschwangau from Neuschwanstein (and vice versa). The two castles are only about 20 minutes apart by foot, but, as the less popular neighbour, Hohenschwangau receives just a fraction of the visitor numbers. Advertisement 2. Cologne Cathedral Cologne's gothic cathedral is Germany's most visited single attraction, with over four million annual visitors. Its soaring spires and awe-inspiring nave are breath-taking, but there's a good chance you'll spend more time queuing than contemplating if you visit these days. On weekends and holidays, the lines to enter the cathedral or climb the tower can snake around the square, and tourists are often packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the interior. Cologne Cathedral lit up at night. The Gothic-era church is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Thomas Banneyer Where to go instead Aachen Cathedral in the nearby city is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a history every bit as grand as Cologne's. One of the oldest cathedral buildings in Europe, it was originally constructed as the royal chapel for Charlemagne's Palace of Aachen. The first Holy Roman Emperor was buried there in 814. Best of all, it's often quiet enough to actually sit and contemplate – either the Divine, or the divine design of the mosaics and the Palatine Chapel. READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about the Catholic community in Germany 3. Munich and Oktoberfest Munich is a popular tourist destination year-round, with huge numbers of visitors attracted by the historic centre, grand palaces, and legendary beer halls. But nothing compares to the crush of Oktoberfest , when millions descend on the city for the world's biggest beer festival. READ ALSO: Dirndls, tents and 'Radler' - How to do Oktoberfest like a German Hotels sell out months in advance of the event, public transport is jammed, and the festival tents are packed from morning to night. Even outside Oktoberfest, sites like Marienplatz and the English Garden swarm with tourists. Advertisement Where to go instead Kulmbach Beer Week (Kulmbacher Bierwoche) in northern Bavaria runs from July 26th to August 3rd this year and attracts about 120,000 visitors annually, rather than millions. Kulmbach, a charming, medieval town with plenty of its original buildings still intact, offers all the fun of a traditional beer festival - local brews, hearty food, and live music - but in a vastly more relaxed and welcoming setting (and without the funfair!). Also, around the same time as Munich's Oktoberfest, you can find similar folk festivals and even other smaller Oktoberfest celebrations at other German cities, particularly around the south of the country. OPINION: Why Oktoberfest is one of Germany's worst beer festivals 4. Rothenburg ob der Tauber Children perform during the Kinderzeche festival in the Bavarian town of Dinkelsbühl. Photo: picture alliance / Ingrid Wenzel/Touristik Service Dinkelsbühl/dpa-tmn | Ingrid Wenzel Rothenburg's perfectly preserved medieval walls and half-timbered houses have made it a fixture on Germany's Romantic Road, and a top-line recommendation on most tourist blogs. But with nearly two million visitors annually, the town's narrow streets can be clogged with tour groups, and finding a quiet corner is increasingly difficult during the holiday season. Advertisement Where to go instead A similarly extraordinary gem of medieval architecture, the Bavarian town of Dinkelsbühl features colourful houses, cobbled lanes, and a tranquil pace. Although a little off the beaten path, it remains largely untouched by mass tourism – unlike Rothenburg – allowing visitors to soak in its history and charm on their own terms. READ ALSO: Six of the most charming Bavarian towns to visit this summer Eight of the most beautiful German villages to visit this summer 5. Berlin Germany's capital is a must-see for history buffs and culture lovers alike, with landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, and the Berlin Wall Memorial drawing tens of millions of tourists every year. But Berlin's main attractions are often packed, especially during in summer. Where to go instead Leipzig may not be as big as Berlin, and it certainly isn't as famous, but it does have a bit of everything you might hope to find in the German capital, without ever feeling like a desperate mini-me. As a major university city, Leipzig has all the bars you could wish for, and clubs like Distillery or Institute für Zukunft which are the equal of anything you can find in Berlin. Advertisement As a relatively cheap place to live, Leipzig has also attracted a substantial community of artists and other creatives who have transformed the city. A perfect example of this recent transformation is found in the Baumwollspinnerei (Cotton Mill). Formerly the largest cotton mill in Europe, the Baumwollspinnerei is currently home to 100 art studios, 14 galleries, a cinema and a theatre. Leipzig is famous as the site of the peaceful mass demonstrations in 1989 which helped trigger the fall of the communist regime in East Germany. But much of its surviving architecture, including the old town hall, dates back to the Renaissance era. For a real sense of Leipzig's history, you can have a drink in the city's second oldest pub, Auerbachs Keller , which appears in Goethe's play Faust from 1808. What have we missed? Leave a note about other lesser-known wonders you've discovered on your travels in Germany in the comments below.
