Neuschwanstein Castle Still a Top Tourist Attraction in the Climate-Affected Bavarian Alps
The fantasy-like Neuschwanstein (New Swan Stone) Castle, is one of the popular attractions that have been drawing tourists to the Bavarian Alps all year round. Perceived by younger visitors as the real version of Disney’s iconic castle, many hike or bike to reach the picturesque castle. However, climate change has been altering the Bavarian Alps, getting to the castle has become trickier for many tourists.
The warmer temperatures have been melting the permafrosts, while devastating volumes of precipitation have caused flooding to occur below. Visiting the castle has become more popular than ever as most winter sports resorts have been focusing on hiking and cycling activities, since the occurrence of snow is no longer guaranteed.
Mountain Researchers Say Warmer Temperatures Have Transformed the Alps’ Environment
Mountain researchers who hike the length of the Alps during the summer have noted several changes in the environment. While September used to bring freezing temperatures along with the first masses of swirling snow, much of the Alp’s scenery has been replaced by moonlike rockscapes looking utterly bare due to the lack of frozen ice crystals.
One of the researchers, Michael Krautblatter, who teaches landslide research at the Technical University of of Munich said their findings helped communities in the alpine region adapt to the changes, which includes making improvements on early warning systems for landslides. The increased rainfall in the past years have been triggering thousands of rockfalls. Mainly because much of the permafrosts that have been holding rocks together have receded.
What Makes the Neuschwanstein Castle an Interesting Tourist Destination
The Neuschwanstein Castle or Schloss Neuschwanstein in the Bavarian Alps near Füssen, Germany, is an ornate Romanesque style castle ordered built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Dubbed by many as the “castle of paradox” as it was was built during the 18th century, when strongholds of walled fortresses were no longer relevant amidst the emerging Industrial Revolution,
Although the lavish structure did not attain completion during King Ludwig II’s rule, the completed sections of Neuschwanstein Castle include an indoor garden and an artificial cave inside a walled courtyard, Adorned by the typical spires and towers of castles during medieval times, the young Bavarian king had to have the new technologies built in the Neuschwanstein Castle.
Part of the schloss that King Ludwig wanted to build as his summer recluse, came complete with flushing toilet and hot water supported by a running water system throughout the castle, In addition, the castle also had a forced-air central heating system and an elevator connecting the ground level kitchen to the dining area located at the third-storey level. The castle even had telephone line connections despite the fact that only a few people in Bavaria had telephones.
As the construction of the castle though was running the Bavarian coffers dry, King Ludwig II became the target of a plot to unseat him as as the sovereign ruler. He was soon referred to as Mad King Ludwig, and later died a mysterious death at the age of 44, which also ended all construction work on the castle project
