31 March 2012

Saturday Snapshot (s) ... A Place I Remember


From the footbridge across the valley from Neuschwanstein


In Germany, many of the natives think of this place as their version of Disneyworld. It ranks up there with Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the Rhine Valley, and Ocktoberfest in Munich. Every tourist coming to Germany has Neuschwanstein flagged as a 'must see' in their tour books ... and we were no different. It's a facade, though, when you really learn a bit about it. It is a shell of a grand castle with only a small part of the interior made complete... a mad project begun by a prince who felt he had deep pockets and whims that could never be emptied or challenged. He ended up dead ... drowned mysteriously and the castle was left unfinished. It's darker history also includes a stint as a huge repository for artworks and treasures lusted over, confiscated, stolen, and stored by the Nazis during that horrific WWII period.  Those artworks have since been liberated and some returned where they belong, others placed in museums ... and the castle has been turned into a major tourist destination. It's in a lovely area of Germany, near the German-Austrian border ... and once I got over the awe at such a massive princely whim, I looked around at other more awesome sights ...





On a trail with Pete near Schwangau





The place is just a wealth of trails and little winding roads that lead to mountain and water views that take your breath away. It's Bavaria ... in the area of Fussen, and it's a place I remember.





Mountain and lake view in the Tirol






Approaching the Alps and the German-Austrian border




Near Fussen ... the foothlls of the Alps


What places around this big world have stopped your heart and taken your breath away ? Saturday Snapshot gives you the opportunity to take some pictures of those spots or other things that are worth remembering ... and sharing. Don't forget to look at all the other photo shares at the link above! Happy Saturday!



21 comments:

  1. Oh, my! What gorgeous pictures. You could make a calendar out of them. Thanks so much for sharing them and also sharing the information about that castle. So very interesting.

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  2. Wow, what a beautiful castle, and I LOVE the story behind it! And that the prince going mad and drowning himself isn't the darker part... :) The landscapes are amazing too.

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  3. I was there when I was 18 and on a Contiki tour. Sadly it was raining so no stunning shots so it is nice to see what the area looks like. But I will make it back there some day!

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  4. What beautiful scenery. I have a picture from Germany today too :) I never knew all that about the Neuschwanstein castle. So interesting!

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  5. Oh, I love castles...and became especially enamored with them when my eldest son starting living in Europe and photographing castles.

    Great shots and I loved the story of the whimsical prince.

    Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT

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  6. How beautiful! So sad that the interior was not finished.

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  7. Oh my gosh, I want to go to Neuschwanstein!!! I wonder how long it took them to build that.

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    1. I couldn't find a way to direct comment for some reason, so I'm tagging on Kathy. These are AMAZING - in my book, you win this week's award for best photos. Incredible Susan.

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  8. The beauty of those landscapes is just breathtaking. And that castle, amazing! Thanks for the story behind it, I had never heard of it before.

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  9. Loved this. I hope to travel there some day. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Such magnificent photos! Bavaria is one of my favorite trips we ever took. Indescribable beauty everywhere.

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  11. That castle is amazing! It's hard to believe that it's not as impressive on the inside.

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  12. What amazing photos, Bavaria is definitely on my list of places I want to go. Thank you so much for sharing these.

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  13. Completely bowled over by these stunning photos! Kay was right about putting them on a calendar.

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  14. What beautiful memories! That is one place that I have always wanted to know more about. Thank you for sharing.
    Rita

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  15. Wonderful, wonderful photographs. Thanks for taking me on such a beautiful journey!

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  16. Such gorgeous photos! I've seen that castle before, it's very famous of course. What a gorgeous part of the world.

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  17. I think this castle was just on The Amazing Race. They called it the castle that helped originate the Sleeping Beauty legend. Is that right? Breathtaking photo

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  18. This is so beautiful!
    I'm your latest follower!!

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  19. Gorgeous photos!

    I'm your latest follower!

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  20. Absolutely beautiful pictures, Susan! They left me spell-bound! It's one of my dreams to visit Germany and so many other places. So when I eventually make it to Germany, I'm sure I'll this on my must-see places and I know it'll be worth it thanks to your pictures and story.

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