Having read Hubert’s fabulous review, I wanted to add a bit of historical context to the proposed sites. Ludwig II’s main constraint as a monarch was not Bavaria’s constitution and people. The much greater constraint was German unification in 1870, which reduced Bavaria from a kingdom to a mere princely state within the larger German Empire governed by the Prussian King, now the German Kaiser.

To make Ludwig II accept his fate as a secondary prince, Bismarck smoothed the deal with substantial payments from the Prussian treasury to Bavaria; payments that went on to fund the construction of these “dreams in stone.” However, it wasn’t enough, as Ludwig spent lavishly, and several projects remain unfinished.

So far, I have only visited Herrenchiemsee during a company event. Herrenchiemsee is a lesser-known site, but the unfinished staircase gives you a very good idea of the shortcuts (such as using concrete) that Ludwig II took. As stated by Hubert, it pales in comparison to Versailles, its inspiration.

Meanwhile, I inadvertently passed by Neuschwanstein. When heading to Wies, I traveled via Füssen, startled by the crowds on the weekend heading to this sleepy town. It only dawned on me at the Füssen train station what the tourists were visiting. The bus I took to Wies actually stopped at Neuschwanstein and emptied.

OUV

There is a reason why these sites have not been nominated earlier by Germany: Their Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) is debatable and unclear. Neo-Romanticism is a broad movement, and the sites in Germany are closely tied to the German nationalism of the 19th century. The Rhine Valley already contains some Neo-Romantic palaces and castles. Schwerin (T) falls into the same category, and Marienburg near Hannover is similar. Looking across the border, there are comparable sites like Sintra in Portugal or Průhonice near Prague.

Thus, the uniqueness and OUV of these sites are questionable. It must also be emphasized that these are 19th-century imitations lacking the artistic intricacies and historical depth found in the originals, such as Versailles or the Wartburg. I fully agree with Hubert’s evaluation in this regard.

Nevertheless, I would probably support a limited inscription that covers only Neuschwanstein. It may be kitsch, but it has had a significant cultural impact. It embodies the quintessential fairy tale castle as imagined by children.

Getting There

You can take a regional train from Ulm to Füssen. In Füssen, there are buses to the palace. The same bus will continue to Wies.