This German castle looks like it was pulled straight out of a fairy tale. And, in a way, it was!

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Built by Bavarian King Ludwig II, Neuschwanstein castle is a romantic interpretation of the Middle Ages. It also celebrates the King's love of operas composed by Richard Wagner. Located in southern Bavaria, the elaborate castle cost around 6.2 million marks to build. Construction began with the first foundation stone laid in 1869. The Bower and Square Towers were finished in 1892, but the castle remains incomplete. Neuschwanstein was meant to have more than 200 rooms, but only 14 rooms are finished. The castle was barely lived in. Ludwig II only spent 11 nights in the castle before he passed away in 1886. The castle was built with modern technologies and conveniences. Neuschwanstein had running water, toilets that could flush, central air heating and even a working telephone. The castle boasts gorgeous views of two nearby lakes, the Alpsee and Schwansee, and has stunning vistas overlooking the nearby village of Hohenschwangau. Around 1.5 million visitors from around the world visit Neuschwanstein annually. There are plenty of great views of this picturesque castle, but one of the most iconic vantage points is from the Marienbrücke.

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