Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau

Neuschwanstein was more impressive than I had anticipated. Unfortunately, it was also more crowded. We had every English speaking country represented in groups, plus a lot of Japanese/Chinese tourists, some Germans, and others I'm not so familiar with (Romanians, Hungarians, Indians -the type from India-, etc). The Hohenschwangau, Maximillian II's castle and Ludwig II's boyhood home, was more impressively decorated than the incomplete Neuschwanstein. It was filled with gifts from various other countries, including a shield covered with every Bavarian coat of arms. That particular piece was given to Maximillian II as a wedding present, behind it hang an axe (symbol of Bavaria) and a mace (symbol of Prussia, where his bride was from). A piece of Red Alabaster lit the guest room beautifully, and several huge crystal and brass centerpieces decorated each table.
Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are both covered with swans because before the royal kings of Bavaria moved in there the knights of the swan had a fortress there. Maximillian (not sure if this was I or II) decided to build Hohenschwangau on one of the old fortresses, Neuschwanstein on another (hence the name: "New-Swan-Stone"). The knights had all long since died off (by the 12th century they were gone... these castles were built in the 19th).
All in all, these castles were the products of too much money and too many fairy tales. Ludwig loved the epic history of Germany and all the romantic ideas of his time. It shows. Wagner was a personal friend of his, and Neuschwanstein is mostly dedicated to him. Every room in it depicts scenes or themes from Wagner's operas. It must've been a surreal experience for Wagner to spend the night in this rich fan's castle.
Another interesting tidbit. Construction of Neuschwanstein was privately funded, and stopped nearly the hour Ludwig II died. Tours of the unfinished castle started 6 weeks later.

The hike to the nearby Marianbrucke was worth it. Not only is the view of Neuschwanstein great, the falls below the bridge are crystal clear and picturesque. Few of the hikes are easy, though. If you're not up to steep hills, take the bus.