Built by King Ludwig II in southern Bavaria, Neuschwanstein is a operatic fantasia of what a castle should be. That makes sense, since Ludwig was an immoderate supporter of Wagner, also not exactly known for his restraint. The castle doesn’t make any sense as a historical structure; the rooms were fitted more as dramatic backdrops than as places for a functioning royal court.

The rooms are just ridiculous, from the 15 meter high throne room gilded in gold to the grotto complete with dripstone cave walls and a lake with a functional boat. King Ludwig went bankrupt building Neuschwanstein and other projects, holding off his creditors by threatening suicide if they seized his assets. He was eventually deposed and died under mysterious circumstances the next day, leaving the castle unfinished. He had only lived in the palace for a little under six months.

Ironically, the castles which bankrupted him have turned into incredibly profitable tourist attractions, which makes Ludwig a kind of Ur-Disney. He’d be horrified; he was incredibly shy and private, and never allowed the public in while he was alive. But we don’t get to control our legacy — Neuschwanstein was used as the model for Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disney’s animated film, so it’s instantly recognizable to generations as the model for the castle in Disney’s logo.