Click on the part of the plan you wish to visit. (Some sections are still under construction.)

1 - Throne Hall.. 2 - Bedroom. 3 - Dressing Room.

4 - Living Room. 5 - Study. 6 - Dining Room.

Click here for a text version of the site map.

Like a true medieval castle, Neuschwanstein is made up of several different buildings linked to form one vast complex. These buildings are -

• Palas - the main part of the castle, corresponding to the keeps of English castles. This was the only part of the castle to be more or less completed inside and out when Ludwig died. The exterior is decorated with statues of saints and lions, as well as large frescoes of St. George and a personification of Bavaria. These can be seen painted on the wall facing the courtyards.

• Gatehouse - the first part of the castle to be completed, built of red brick, forming a pleasant contrast to the white limestone of the rest of the building.

• Kemenate - the house of the women, a uniquely German concept. Based on the scenery directions from "Lohengrin". Only the foundations of this building were underway at the time of Ludwig's death, so it was started afterwards and completed in 1892. Originally planned to feature statues of female saints, it was left plain. Today it houses the castle offices.

• Knight's House - part of the communicating building that joins the gatehouse to the Palas. Christian Janks' magnificent decorations were never carried out due to a lack of funds. Also completed after Ludwig's death.

• Great Keep and Chapel - the foundation for this incredible building was started, but dismantled after Ludwig died. The Keep was destined to overlook the entire castle, it's bulk filling the Upper Courtyard. It is ironic that the most famous view of the castle was never intended to exist, as the huge Keep would block out such a view. The triple-aisled chapel was to occupy the lower part of the massive Keep.

Back to The Castles