The fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle

Heavy snow showers have been sweeping across the Bavarian Alpine foothills near Füssen all morning. Around midday, the first gaps appear between the clouds, so I hope for further improvement and venture on a short trip to Neuschwanstein. The motif of the fairytale royal castle of Ludwig II of Bavaria, framed by mountains and lakes (and at its peak with forests in autumnal colours), has been well known to us since childhood from many posters, postcards and puzzles and is famous all over the world. It hasn’t lost any of its beauty because of this, even if the crowds of visitors rarely allow for a romantic atmosphere. In winter, however, it’s much quieter and the snow-covered landscape shows a less familiar side – so today I’m standing almost alone on Mary’s Bridge over the Pöllat Gorge.