fussen
Day 6 - Saturday - June 18, 2016
Today we headed from the Italian Dolomites to Fussen, Germany in southern Bavaria near where the King's Castles are located. Along the way, we made a stop at Germanies highest peak, the Zugspitze. Since it was overcast when we arrived, we decided to take a hike instead of the cable car to the top of Zugspitze. A couple of photos from our Zugspitze hike are below.
When we arrived in Fussen, we checked into our hotel and did a walk around town. Here are some photos from our walk below.
Day 7 - Sunday - June 19, 2016
Today we took a bus to the King's Castles and toured both the Howenschwangau Castle (Ludwig's home as a boy for 17 years) and the Neuschwanstein Castle. The Howenschwangau was originally built in the 12th century. It was ruined by Napoleon. Ludwig's father, King Mazimilian II, rebuilt it in 1830. Howenschwangau was used by the royal family as a hunting lodge unti 1912. Today, Howenschwangau is owned by the Wittelsbach family. They ruled Bavaria for about seven centuries. Howenschwangau can be roughly translated as "High Swanland". Here are some pictures of the Howenschwangau Castle below. Pictures were not allowed in the interior.
Our next stop was a visit to the Neuschwanstein Castle. "Mad" King Ludwig inherited the throne at the age of 18 and built Neuschwanstein from 1869 to 1886. Construction stopped with Ludwig's death. Only about one third of the interior was finished at that time. Within six weeks of Ludwig's death, tourists were paying to visit. The translation for Neuschwanstein is roughly "New Swanstone" Pictures were not allowed inside but here are some exterior pictures below.
After visiting the two King's Castles, it was time to take a break for some Black Forest Cake. We then walked back to Fussen Instead of taking the bus back. It was a nice walk past some meadows. We had rented some bikes, so when we got back to Fussen, we decided to take them for a spin. In spite of the rain, we rode to the other side of Lake Forggensee and back and then to the town of Schwangau.
That ends our time in Fussen. Tomorrow we head to the Lauterbrunnen Valley.