Most travellers planning a tour of Germany would consider the tour incomplete if it did not include King Ludwig II’s castle at Neuschwanstein – the castle it is claimed Walt Disney used as a model for his famous trademark fairy tale castle. Mostly, tourists visit the castle as a quick day trip from Munich, by train, bus or car, as it is only 92 kilometres away, or as part of a set package tour. Sadly, they miss out on one of the most interesting little towns in Germany, Füssen, at the foot of the Alps on which the royal castles stand. Füssen has lots of interesting places to visit apart from Neuschwanstein Castle and warrants a couple of days.
The Hohes Schloss and Art Gallery
The Hohes Schloss (high castle), as the name suggests, towers over Füssen and is just on the outskirts of town. It was once the summer residence of the bishops of Augsburg and is now an art gallery, incorporating a branch of the Bavarian State Gallery, with paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries. The astonishing Rittersaal (Knight’s Hall) features late Gothic panel paintings from the region. Another fascinating feature of the castle is the inner courtyard and the tromp l’oeil (illusion) paintings on the façade of one wing. It is very difficult to tell what is a real window surround and what is painted on the wall. This art work was commissioned by Bishop Friedrich II of Zollern in 1500.
The Monastery and Museum
The Benedictine Monastery of St Mang has a 1000 year history, some of which documented in the museum that is housed in the south-west wing. The present building is a beautifully preserved 18th century Venetian style edifice, in Baroque style, but underneath is a medieval cloister. The town museum houses a rich collection of antique violins and lutes, reminders that the town was a centre for manufacture of fine instruments.
The Castles of King Ludwig II
High in the alpine landscape, some five kilometres from Füssen, lies the castle most people come to see – Neuschwanstein, home and fantasy world of Ludwig, King of Bavaria (1845-1886). There is, of course, a second castle, Hoheschwangau, below Neushwanstein, where the young prince lived with his parents. Both are open to the public, as is a museum of the Bavarian Kings, which is near the castles and situated right on the edge of Lake Alpsee.
The Natural Environment of the Allgäu
Füssen is surrounded by the Bavarian Alps and is quite close to the Austrian border and the ski fields of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. Needless to say, the scenery is spectacular and in summer walking is a great pleasure. There are also health spas and mud spas in the region. Nevertheless, the 700-year-old Füssen with its pedestrian area and narrow lanes is a delight in itself. There are great eating houses and also ample accommodation.
