It’s 11.11 today. I work at an e-commerce platform that rolls out big campaigns on every double digits, culminating at 11.11. It would have been the busiest day of the year for me, but thankfully I’m in Fussen visiting Neuschwanstein Castle instead!
Even greater treat was, we hit jackpot with our airbnb. Our bedroom was located in the uppermost level, with open-able roof window overlooking the Alps, and the Neuschwanstein itself.
Neuschwanstein is the most visited castle in the Germany. We were worried we can’t get our tickets. Especially it was covid period where they might cut down on the visitor counts. We made it early enough, buying the next earliest available 11:00 slot at 09:00.
Tale of Bavarian Kings
Since we had some time to spare, we visited the Museum of Bavarian Kings. It was a captivating place, filled with memorabilia from the immemorial times when Germany was ruled by Kings. It followed the history of the root of the Bavarian dynasty, through its eventual dissolution at the end of World War 1. It very well painted the evolution of our global social landscape where democracies replace kingships.
Dashing for Neuschwanstein
The museum was so captivating that we stayed on until 11:40, at which we decided it was time to head up the the castle. Before we began our ascent up the road to the castle, we noticed a signboard
“Neuchwanstein: 45 mins by walking”
Which threw us into a slight panic. If we miss this then our 11:00 ticket would be voided! At this point, even if we run we would not make it. We never really paid attention that the castle is all the way up the hill. We thought it’s just a 15 minutes stroll.
Then we looked around, and saw a bus loading people in. I figured it would be the bus to bring people up the castle, so Bel and I dashed towards the bus.
“Does this go up the castle?” I asked, still panting.
“Yes. What time is your tour?” asked the bus driver with one brow visibly raised.
“11:00” I answered, peering at my wrist, calculating my chances. It was 10:50
“Well, good luck with that.”
By the time we got off the bus, it was already 11:05. Worse still, the bus didn’t really go all the way up. We still had a stretch of hill to conquer. Having gone this far, we went all out and ran for our lives.
We posthumously reached at 11:15, legs screaming and sweat dripping. Unfortunately, the front desk staff denied us entry as the tour had already started. Maybe he saw how disappointed and sweaty we were, because he then offered to give us a later slot. We instantly lit up, took the offer, and thanked him.
We took the waiting time for the later slot to rest our legs, have our lunch break, and sight-see the castle’s surroundings.
Dashing Castle
Then it was finally time for our tour! We were not allowed take any picture in the castle, but the lasting impression this castle left me was beyond visual.
Each room was masterfully crafted. Every inch was beautifully embellished with artistic motifs; animals, mythical creatures, and enthralling patterns. Beautiful arches frames divinely painted figures.
The man behind this castle was then King of Bavaria, Ludwig II. He wanted to live out his days in a palace of his dreams; one filled with romanticised scenes of medieval legends from Wagner’s opera. Ironically, he only lived in the castle for a mere 174 days before he was deposed due to his debts. He spent his personal fortune and took endless debts to finance his dream; surprisingly never touching any of the state’s finances. Within the same week, he was found mysteriously dead.
It made me wonder:
How great was his desire to realise his dreams?
Why did he persist on undertaking such an intricate, expensive, lavish construction project? Turns out he did not just commissioned Neuschwanstein, there were 2 other lavish castle projects running in parallel: Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee.
How did he end up bankrupt and deposed? Was it a lack of foresight? Or was it a stubborn inextinguishable ambition?
What could have driven a man with such fervour?
Then it dawned on me. Maybe it is our humanly tendency to build beautiful magnificent things upon what inspires awe in us. Just like how the epics of medieval legends inspired Ludwig, perhaps we are inherently driven to emulate the awe that galvanise us. Heroic tales of our human grit and ambition, creating works that propagate that wondrousness.
Just as Walt Disney built an astonishing sleeping beauty castle inspired by Neuschwanstein, I thought about what can my very own two hands can do. Maybe my very own “dream castle”? If I am lucky, hopefully it will be magnificent enough to propagate the same, or tantamount awe-striking experience to others.
Onwards, to my “dream castle”.
Dashing Heights 