Neuschwanstein Castle, 2
Vocabulary
| fantasy | fairy tale | embodiment |
| idol (2) | inspiring | fall under its spell |
| regard | record (3) | honeymoon |
| prefer | animated | nightmare (2) |
| throne | isolation | completion |
| hall | flock (2) | impressive |
| scene | represent | intermediary |
| refuge | defensive | commemorate |
| intend | medieval | correspond |
| ideal | depiction | admission |
| evoke | image (2) | extensively |
| tower | elongated | crenelation |
| turret | stage (2) | musical (2) |
| distinct | homage | fascination |
| chance | spell (2) | destination |
| interior | lifetime | atmosphere (2) |
| upkeep | revenue | extravagant |
| fee | miniature | immortalize |
| exist | souvenir | demand (2) |
| logo | backdrop | well-known |
| motif | criticize | exaggerated |
| sheer | court (2) | match made in heaven |
| wish | subject (3) |
Video: Neuschwanstein Castle, two
Transcript
Neuschwanstein is the embodiment of a fantasy castle. Built in the nineteenth century by King Ludwig of Bavaria, the Fairy Tale King.
Ever since his mysterious death in 1886, millions of tourists have fallen under its spell. It’s become a must-see destination.
Tourist One: “I’m from Saudi Arabia. I came here for my honeymoon.”
Tourist Two: “This is one of the most famous places. Even in China, we have all learned about this place.”
Up to eight-thousand (8,000) tourists a day flock to Neuschwanstein. Last year, a record, one-and-a-half million (1,500,000) people came here.
The sheer thought of that would have been a nightmare for King Ludwig . . . he preferred to live in his palaces in complete isolation, though he didn’t live long enough to see the completion of Neuschwanstein.
The Throne Room is one of the most impressive halls. The Fairy Tale King regarded himself as an intermediary between God and his subjects.
The wall painting in the Singers’ Hall show scenes from Richard Wagner’s opera Parcel and Lohengrin.
The King loved Wagner. But no musical was actually ever staged here in his lifetime. The hall was intended to commemorate medieval, courtly culture. And Neuschwanstein was designed to represent the ideal, medieval castle.
Uwe Gerd Schatz, Bavarian Palace Department: “Certain motifs evokes the image of a castle. These motifs are used so extensively, that they create an ideal image. For example, the building is very elongated with towers, crenelations and turrets, that originally would have served defensive purposes.
Each one of Ludwig’s refuges was very distinct. He built four palaces in total: Neuschwanstein … Linderhof Palace … the King’s House on the Schafen … and Herrenchiemsee Palace.
Here we can see the Bavarian king’s fascination with the French Sun King, Louis the Fourteenth. Herrenchiemsee Palace was intended as a homage to Ludwig’s great idol.
Tourist One: “If you look at architecture today, it’s just so uninspired. You’d have to say, ‘Wow! They really knew how to live back then’.”
Tourist Two: “A change to be again in an old atmosphere.”
Tourist Three: “It’s just like an hour in a fairy tale.”
During his lifetime, Ludwig the Second was criticized for his extravagant construction projects. Today, they bring the State of Bavaria millions of euros in revenue.
But the upkeep of Neuschwanstein is also expensive. The admission fees help pay for the upkeep of the palaces and their valuable interiors, such as here in Ludwig the Second’s bedroom.
Neuschwanstein souvenirs are much in demand: a miniature castle cost just under twenty euros (€20). And some people are even prepared to spend a lot more to spend their wedding in front of this internationally famous backdrop.
American film producer Walt Disney helped to make it even more well-known by immortalizing it in his company’s logo.
Uwe Gerd Schatz, Bavarian Palace Department: “The exaggerated depiction in history, the buildings, their interiors corresponded with the emotional, very colorful, animated film world of Disney.
And so it was a match made in heaven.”
No need to wish upon a star: Disney’s fairy tale castle really does exist, at Neuschwanstein in Bavaria.
Questions
1. Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the Middle Ages (400s to 1500s). True or false?
2. Is the castle a major tourist attraction? How many people visit it? Are the tourists only Europeans?
3. King Ludwig II was an extrovert. Is this right or wrong?
4. Were the decorations random works of art, or was there a theme?
5. Did Ludwig build just one castle? Was the Herrenchiemsee Palace completely original in design?
6. Do the castles have a modern, contemporary atmosphere, or a medieval, storybook atmosphere?
7. Everyone supported Ludwig’s building programs. Is this correct or incorrect? What did they think? Were they a waste, in the long-term?
8. Has the Neuschwanstein Castle inspired others?
A. My friends and I have visited Neuschwanstein Castle. Yes or no? Have you visited castles and palaces?
B. Are there ancient or medieval castles, palaces, cathedrals or temples in your region? Do many people visit them?
C. Modern people should build castles, palaces, cathedrals and fortresses. What do you think?
D. I would like to live in a palace or castle. Yes or no?
E. What will happen in the future?
