High in the Bavarian Alps stands one of the world’s most famous landmarks — Neuschwanstein Castle. Built in the late 19th century for King Ludwig II of Bavaria, it was intended as a romantic retreat inspired by medieval castles and the operas of Richard Wagner. Construction began in 1869, but the castle was never fully completed, as Ludwig died in 1886. Today, its fairytale towers and dramatic mountain setting make it one of the most photographed castles in Europe. Neuschwanstein’s dreamy silhouette has inspired countless works of art and film. Most famously, it served as the model for the castle in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty and was also linked to the atmosphere of Disney’s first full-length animation, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This connection has helped cement its image as the ultimate fairytale castle. Though Neuschwanstein Castle was not used directly in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, it did inspire Walt Disney when designing castles for his theme parks and films. Our visit brought us here late in the day, with just minutes left before darkness. We rushed uphill toward Marienbrücke, a suspension bridge built in 1845 by King Maximilian II — Ludwig’s father — and named after Queen Marie. Spanning the Pöllat Gorge, the bridge was originally a feat of engineering in its time, and today it offers the most iconic view of the castle. From this vantage point, Neuschwanstein appears in all its grandeur. At sunset, the pale limestone walls reflect the warm glow, standing out against the rugged alpine backdrop. The surrounding forests and mountains shift in colour as the sun lowers, with the peaks glowing orange and red while the valleys sink into shadow. The combination of castle, cliffs, and evening light creates a dramatic perspective that makes this one of the most popular spots to experience Neuschwanstein. With only a few moments left, we managed to capture our photos before daylight faded and the castle’s towers and turrets became a striking silhouette against the twilight sky. Despite its beauty, the bridge has a darker side — in 2005, a mentally disturbed man pushed two female visitors into the ravine below; one survived, while the other tragically lost her life. 回