Ludwig spent a mere 106 days at Neuschwanstein Castle.  Much more of his time was spent in the yellow castle opposite, called Hohenschwangau, which was where he grew up.  It was built by Ludwig’s father, King Maximilian II.  It is now owned by the Wittelsbach family, but is open to the public.  Unlike its neighbor, [...]

The famous Castle of Neuschwanstein seems to have a different appearance every day, according to season, time of day and weather conditions. In the bright sun, it seems to sparkle, and can be seen from far away. It takes on a gloomy face on a gray and rainy day. It is perhaps at its best [...]

Churches often stand as lone reminders of the distant past, as they were among the first few structures made of brick or stone.  During our visits, we pass through the same doorways, stand under the same roofs and pray before the same icons and statues as  have countless generations before us.  One of those venerable [...]

Of the hundreds of churches in Bavaria, the fame of one surpasses all other- the Church of Christ Scourged, commonly called The Wies Church.  It was built in the amazingly short period of eight years, between 1746 and 1754, and therefore is one of the purest examples of the Rococo style in Germany.  This pilgrimage [...]

The western part of Upper Bavaria is called Allgau, where the population is of Swaian origin.  Swabians are descendents of the Alemannic  tribes who settled in the western part of Central Europe in the 5th century.  The Swabian influence is obvious in the local dialect, in the appearance of the people and in the style [...]