Neuschwanstein Castle - took this at the ground level...

Neuschwanstein Castle:
Set amid magnificent mountain scenery on the shores of the Alpsee, this fairy-tale castle was built in 1869-86 for the eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig II, to a design by the theater designer Christian Jank. Its pinnacled turrets have provided the inspiration for countless models, book illustrations, and film sets.

The walls of the vestibule and other rooms in the castle are lavishly covered with paintings depicting scenes from German myths and legends. The gilded interior of the throne room is reminiscent of a Byzantine basilica, while the dining room has intricately carved panels and fabulous pictures and furniture. The pale grey granite castle, which draws on a variety of historical styles, is a 20-minute walk from the village of Schwangau.

In the village itself is another 19^th century castle, Hohenschwangau, built over the ruins of a medieval castle in 1832 by Maximilian, heir to the throne of Bavaria.