This is Neuchwanstein castle.  Despite its appearances it’s not even 200 years old.  We can thank Ludwig Ii of Bavaria for the construction of this fairy tale castle.  Which, by the way, was the model for Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disney World.  I can’t say I agree with using tax money to build this (say whatever you want that’s ultimately where he got the cash) it’s really an amazing building.  But to me it feels like a facade.  It’s a complete triumph of style over substance and although it’s beautiful it feels a little to gaudy and opulent.  On a side note it’s not completely finished.  Ludwig was declared insane and mysteriously disappeared with the psychiatrist that declared him so.  My personal opinion is that he left to flee to a nearby village where he could get support and the psychiatrist ran after him.  They struggled and Ludwig killed his doctor.  Meanwhile Ludwig, being a very large man, suffered a heart attack from the icy water, exertion, and his unhealthiness.  Either that or he drowned himself.  Very mysterious, I doubt the truth behind it will ever be known.  That said very cool, I regret that there was some restoration work going on, that’s what’s up with the scaffolding on the castle.