Neuschwanstein Castle, perched on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau in southwest Bavaria, was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner. Construction began in 1869, but despite its medieval appearance, it was technologically advanced for its time, featuring running water, flushing toilets, and a central heating system. The castle's design served as the primary inspiration for Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Ludwig II was a recluse who spent much of the kingdom's fortune on his elaborate 'fantasy' castles, leading to his deposition before Neuschwanstein was even completed. Today, it is one of the most visited castles in Europe. Interestingly, the castle's throne room has no throne, as the King died before it could be installed, though the elaborate mosaics and Byzantine-style architecture remain a testament to his romanticized view of kingship.