Neuschwanstein Castle was the dream of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Ludwig was fascinated by the operas of the German composer Richard Wagner, with their celebration of Germanic mythical gods and legendary heroes.
Ludwig planned the castle with architect Edward Riedel and the assistance of Christian Jank, a theater designer. The structure reflects both Gothic and Romanesque elements from the Middle Ages, the period from about A.D. 400 through the 1400’s.
Neuschwanstein is constructed of gray granite. Construction began in 1869 and ended in 1886, the year of the king’s death. The castle was never finished.