Elbe Cycle Path
Centre-based cycle tours
Saxon Switzerland
Circular walking tours
Sportive walking tours
Palaces of Nymphenburg
Nymphenburg Palace was originally built as a holiday home for the Royal Family of Bavaria. Construction started in the late 1600s, was extended throughout the 18th century by a succession of rulers and now contains some of the most remarkable Rococo architecture in Europe. See where King Ludwig II was born and where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart gave one of his early concerts. Take a stroll around the grounds and other buildings and discover an opulence that simply has to be seen to be believed!
Herrenchiemsee New Palace and Park
In the middle of the 19th century King Ludwig II of Bavaria decided that the Herreninsel at Lake Chiemsee was to become the location of his Royal Palace of Herrenchiemsee (New Palace). The "Bavarian Versailles" was still unfinished, when the king died in 1886. The King Ludwig II Museum documents the story of his life with painted portraits, busts, historic photographs and original state robes. Furthermore, visitors can see the Great Hall of Mirrors, the Writing Room, the Blue Salon and the Small Gallery.
Palace of Neuschwanstein
In 1868 King Ludwig II ordered the construction of a medieval German castle on a rugged cliff against a scenic mountain backdrop to help him withdraw from public life. While the building itself replicates the 13th century Romanesque style, some of the images of the murals are based on themes from Wagnerian operas such as "Tannhäuser" and "Lohengrin". After the Kings death in 1886, Neuschwanstein Castle was opened to the public and until today it has become one of the most popular castles in Europe.
Hohenschwangau Castle
Hohenschwangau Castle was first mentioned in records of the 12th century and remained in the possession of the knights of Schwangau until the 16th century. In 1832 King Maximilian II., father of King Ludwig II., ordered the castle rebuilt according to original plans as summer and hunting residence of the Bavarian royal family. Today the castle is open to the public with various rooms, e.g. the “Hall of the Heroes” or the “Queens and Kings Bedroom” showing famous paintings, royal furniture, painted ornaments and murals.
The Linderhof Palace and Park near Fuessen
After having started to redesign his Munich Palace and plan Neuschwanstein Castle, King Ludwig II further ordered a recreation of Versailles resulting in Linderhof Palace. It turned out differently but still Linderhof Palace was the only palace, King Ludwig II lived to see completed. The park was designed by Carl von Effner surrounding the palace with baroque gardens, terraces and cascades in the style of Italian Renaissance.
