After being in factories and also being in Augsburg for the last 3 days, the trip to Neuschwanstein was not only a breath of fresh air, but a very surreal experience. Standing inside the castle did really feel like I was in some sort of retreat built for a king and I know why he chose such a scenic area. The setting with the beautiful mountains surrounded by nature and it was so calming to sit there and be in the moment, surrounded by the beautiful landscapes and the amazing views of the Alps.
The thing I’m going to remember the most about the castle was probably the scenic views around it. The vast forests, lakes, mountains, and wildlife made the entire area feel almost unreal. This was just what the group needed as well. We all were taking in views that are unlike what we have ever seen in Pittsburgh. The setting around Neuschwanstein made it a lot easier to understand why Ludwig chose this place to escape the city around him. Everything about the area felt peaceful and almost disconnected from modern life, which made the experience feel completely different from the factory visits earlier in the week.
This castle also from what I saw was nothing but a benefit to the area. There were shops that always had people walking in and out of them, restaurants all over the area around the base of the mountain the castle was built on, and while I don’t know the number myself I can safely bet that the tickets were probably cheap but sold in a massive amount on the daily. What stood out to me though was that, unlike some tourist locations that feel overly commercialized, the area still managed to preserve its natural beauty and atmosphere. The economy and the landscape almost seemed to work together instead of against each other. I think that other areas can learn from this balance and if they were to replicate it, they could commercialize beautiful areas like this one and keep it beautiful.
