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Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Here it is: the world’s greatest fairytale castle, inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty and more. Built as a hilltop retreat in the late 19th century, turreted Neuschwanstein Castle was commissioned by Ludwig II, also known as ‘The Fairytale King’ and, less generously, as ‘Mad King Ludwig’. Construction began in 1868, but was not completed until 1892, six years after his death. Extravagantly decorated interiors feature picture cycles inspired by the medieval legends that informed the operas of German composer Richard Wagner, to whom King Ludwig dedicated the castle.
