<P> In the 19th century, many castles were constructed or reconstructed, often with significant changes to make them more picturesque . Palace - building projects similar to Neuschwanstein had been undertaken earlier in several of the German states and included Hohenschwangau Castle, Lichtenstein Castle, Hohenzollern Castle, and numerous buildings on the River Rhine such as Stolzenfels Castle . The inspiration for the construction of Neuschwanstein came from two journeys in 1867--one in May to the reconstructed Wartburg near Eisenach, another in July to the Château de Pierrefonds, which Eugène Viollet - le - Duc was transforming from a ruined castle into a historistic palace . </P> <P> The king saw both buildings as representatives of a romantic interpretation of the Middle Ages, as well as the musical mythology of his friend Wagner, whose operas Tannhäuser and Lohengrin had made a lasting impression on him . </P> <P> In February 1868, Ludwig's grandfather Ludwig I died, freeing the considerable sums that were previously spent on the abdicated king's appanage . This allowed Ludwig II to start the architectural project of building a private refuge in the familiar landscape far from the capital Munich, so that he could live out his idea of the Middle Ages . </P> <P> It is my intention to rebuild the old castle ruin of Hohenschwangau near the Pöllat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles, and I must confess to you that I am looking forward very much to living there one day (...); you know the revered guest I would like to accommodate there; the location is one of the most beautiful to be found, holy and unapproachable, a worthy temple for the divine friend who has brought salvation and true blessing to the world . It will also remind you of "Tannhäuser" (Singers' Hall with a view of the castle in the background), "Lohengrin"' (castle courtyard, open corridor, path to the chapel)... </P>

Where is the castle that the disney castle is based on