What could be more natural than visiting a fairy tale
castle and viewing lots of fabulous art? That’s what you would have seen had
you been allowed to tour Neuschwanstein Castle in the summer of 1945.
In1866, the state of Prussia conquered Austria and
Bavaria in the “German War.” From then on, Bavaria’s foreign policy was
dictated by Prussia and “Mad” King Ludwig, King of Bavaria from 1864 to 1886, was
no longer a sovereign ruler. The following year, he began planning his own
kingdom where he could be a real king, in the form of his castles and palaces. He
created a fantasy world as a refuge from reality, designing Neuschwanstein to
be a hideaway from people.
The Nazis appreciated the castle’s role as a hideaway.
They hid a vast collection of pilfered art in the castle during World War II.
Much of it came from France. The castle remained unfinished, making it easier to use rooms for storage.
Neuschwanstein’s location was ideal. Isolated high in
the Bavarian Alps, it is near the Austrian border. Hitler planned to build his
own museum in Linz, Austria, his birthplace, and fill it with the stolen art.
Many other places held stashes of art, including salt
mines, monasteries, and castles. Heritage sites were spared from attack unless
they held strategic importance. Neuschwanstein had no such importance except as
a landmark for planes, which the Allies certainly appreciated.
Over 6,000 stolen works of art were hidden at the
castle. French curator Rose Valland worked at one of the Germans’ central collection
centers where the treasures were accumulated before shipment into Germany. She
secretly kept records of their destinations, and pointed the Allies Monuments
Men to Neuschwanstein.
The SS intended to destroy the castle and its stored
treasures to keep them from the Allies. Seventy years ago, the treasures were recovered. The castle remained undamaged and continues to
attract millions of visitors. Ever been there?
I've not been there, but I'd love to go. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's on my bucket list!
DeleteI've been there. Very beautiful place. I didn't know about the historical part the Nazis played in this place. Very interesting. I guess we just heard about the history of "Mad" King Ludwig.
ReplyDeleteAccording to a castle spokesman, they have very strict 30 minute tours, and they focus on what they can during that time. They're not trying to hide the castle's role in Nazi history. "We focus on what we can during that time."
ReplyDelete