Fussen Favorites

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Favorite thing: There is an opportunity to move out onto the old palace walls and then climb one of the towers. Should you choose to do that on a winter's day when it's snowing, you'll be glad the wall was covered!

Fondest memory: I should warn those who tend to have vertigo attacks that the stairs are fairly steep and narrow (pic 3) and it was only with some cajouling that I managed to get Rosemarie up the stairs.
There are views over the town (pic 5) though it was pretty much white with lines through it when we were there.
The entrance road gateway is dated 1899 but that refers to restoration rather than the original date of the fort which, through its mixed history, actually started back in Roman times around 2,000 though the remnants of this occupation are scant. Most of what you see dates from the 15th to 19th centuries.

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Favorite thing: In 1748 and 1749 there was constructed in Fussen a building that, in its own right, is reasonably attractive. However, what makes it one of Fussen's standout attractions is the lueftlmalerein on the front.
I defy anyone to walk down Spitelstrasse and not notice the dramatic confronting colours. From any angle it's a winner.

Fondest memory: It was the last day.....indeed, it was the last hour of my second visit to Fuessen and I determined that I would use the train-waiting time to duck down and see the interior of the Holy Ghost Church.
It was more elaborate than I imagined. Along with the requisite altar-side columns and the usual painting in the middle (pic 2), the church, along with the others in Fuessen, had a lighter atmosphere about it than many other European churches I had visited which was brought about mainly by the bright colours used in the ceiling painting (pic 3).
I also noted that there were balconies where, I assume, those of higher status would be seated above the flock (pic 4).

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Favorite thing: The High Palace sits proud above the city, flanked on one side by picturesque St. Mang. It is no coincidence. Because of the power of the church, these two have been linked for many centuries. Today we can see much in a state of good preservation and, for 3 euros when I went there, you get to walk some of the old castle walls, view a modest art gallery and look inside the priveleged world of yesteryear in the state museum.

Fondest memory: I'll start with the art gallery and the old walls.
The opening pic is one of my personal favourites, depicting the false oriels set in front of deep snow from an overnight dump. This dates from around 1500.
In the second shot we are in the knights' hall with its elaborate ceiling decorations which is where you enter the upper part of the High Palace.
In the rooms around there is mainly art displayed with the occasional oddity in terms of musical instruments.
Frankly, some of the art works are grisly to put it mildly (pics 3&4).

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Favorite thing: There's lots of directions you can head in Fuessen, not all of them well trod.
Thus it was that I awoke early one morning and chanced my arm, so to speak, by heading off towards Austria, which only happens to be a kilometre or so up the road.

Fondest memory: For someone unused to snowfalls, treading through the fresh powder from overnight and with some still falling was a novelty. I can understand that if you had to put up with months of it on end you would be overjoyed when spring arrived but, for me, the early spring snow dump was a joy to behold. I hope these pictures reflect that.

Favorite thing: If you visit Neuschwanstein Castle you will see the paintings depicting Tristan and Isolde in King Ludwig's bedroom. Here is the story...

Tristan and Isolde were members of different tribes but when Tristan was injured at a battle in Ireland Isolde tended him and healed him with herbs. The king wanted to wed Isolde so he sent Tristan back to her to help him win her hand in marriage. She agrees to marry the king but on the journey back Tristan and Isolde drink a glass of wine together, not knowing that it had a love potion in it. Upon drinking it, they fall in love with one another. They continue the affair even after Isolde is married to the king. When he finds out, he condems Tristan to death. Tristan manages to escape though, and later the king finds out that it wasn't their fault, that they acted out of the magic potion. He forgives them but eventually Tristan dies from his love and Isolde soon follows out of sorrow.

Now, if you have ever watched "Legends of the Fall" you'll know that the Tristan in THAT story wasn't so different than the one in the legend.

Favorite thing: An interesting story goes with these two castles, which are discussed else where on this page. But this picture depicts Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau in the same picture. The white one that is higher up is Neuschwanstein it was built by Kaiser Wilhelm III. Hohenschwangau was built by Wilhelm I.

Favorite thing: The Hohenschwangau Castle looks pretty cool from the outside. I didn't go in and check it out. I wanted to check out the more famous castle nearby and go on a hike so I didn't have time. Or I didn't make the time!

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Favorite thing: scenary of Bavarian Alps from the castle

Fondest memory: Beautiful scenary