Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles. How to get from Munich by train yourself? Detailed instructions with photos

If you decide to visit Bran Castle from Bucharest, then first you need to get to the capital of Transylvania, Brasov. The distance from Bucharest to Brasov is about 180 km and can be covered by a rented car or by train. Trains run frequently and travel is very convenient. There are different trains running from Bucharest towards Brasov, and the most convenient of them are IC and InterCity, and the slowest are Personal (like our electric trains). There are also many international trains traveling here.

Brasov itself is a very interesting city, which has preserved all the attributes of a medieval city. You can come here for 2-3 days and explore the city itself, Bran Castle and the nearby Peles Castle.

To get to Bran Castle you need to take a bus to the Castelul Bran station. The distance is short and in 40 minutes you will reach the castle. This castle is very popular among tourists and there are almost always a lot of people here. Although Bran Castle has nothing to do with Vlad the Impaler, who was the prototype of Count Dracula. According to one version, he lived here for one day, and according to another, he spent two months in captivity. The castle itself consists of 57 rooms that resemble a labyrinth. Here you can see an ancient interior, medieval weapons, armor and antique furniture. In some rooms you can see furnishings from the times of King Ferdinand and Queen Mary. There is also a museum of history and medieval art dedicated to Dracula. For a fee, you can view exhibitions of medieval instruments of torture. This place is gloomy, but a large number of tourists smoothes out the unpleasant impression.

If you stay in Brasov, be sure to take the funicular up and admire the beautiful scenery, and I also recommend you visit Peles Castle. You can get there from the Brasov train station to Sinaia. By Personal train you will reach Sinaia in 1 hour, the distance is short - only 45 km. Then to get to the castle you need to walk 30-40 minutes uphill, but your efforts will be rewarded by the beauty and grandeur of Peles Castle. Near the castle there are terraces, a beautiful garden, fountains and statues. Here you can see the world's best collections of weapons, armor, equipment for knights and their horses. The castle has 160 rooms, each of which is unique. You can visit it from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00.

Three years ago we were in Romania and visited both castles, so Peles Castle made a greater impression on us than Bran Castle, which is why I recommend that you visit both castles. You can stay in a hotel or hostel in Brasov, just make a reservation in advance.

Surrounded on all sides by lakes. Numerous tourists come here to admire the beauty of the castle and Lake Galve.

How to get to Trakai Castle

• By bus from Vilnius bus station, st. Sodu 22. Buses depart up to 50 times a day on weekdays and 40 trips are performed on weekends. Platforms No. 6, 7 and 8, 28 and 29; bus schedules can be found on the website www.autobusustotis.lt/ru.

In Trakai, the walk from the bus station to the castle will take at least 20-25 minutes

• By train from the railway station located at st. Geležinkalö 16, train schedules can be found on the website www.litrail.lt

Address of Trakai Castle

Kestučio Str. 4, LT-21104, Trakai

Opening hours of Trakai Castle in 2019

• From May to September daily from 10:00 to 19:00
• In October from 10:00 to 18:00, Monday - day off
• From November to February from 9:00 to 17:00, Monday is a day off
• From March to April from 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Mondays
• The ticket office closes half an hour before the stated time.
• The museum closes an hour earlier on days preceding national holidays

Ticket prices to Trakai Castle in 2019

• For adults - 8 euros
• For students and pensioners - 4 euros
• Last Sunday of the month admission is free for all categories of visitors

From the history

The first settlement on the site of modern Trakai appeared in the 13th century, when battles with the crusaders took place here. According to legend, Grand Duke Gediminas hunted in these places and he liked the picturesque place with deep lakes and dense forests so much that he ordered the construction of a castle-fortress capable of blocking the path of the crusaders.

The construction of the fortress began, including the erection of two large castles - Ostrovnoy and Peninsula.

Trakai Castle on the island

The construction of the Island Castle was completed under the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas at the beginning of the 15th century.

The island castle was practically inaccessible to enemies. There were often fierce battles for the Peninsula Castle. But even when the crusaders managed to break into the castle, they could not hold it.

Due to the inaccessibility of the fortress to enemies, the Grand Duke of Lithuania used Trakai as his residence and thus the city served as the capital of Lithuania.

Receptions of foreign ambassadors and numerous gentlemen took place here. The castle surprised guests with its external appearance and the beauty of its interior decoration.

At the beginning of the 15th century, after the Battle of Grunwald, in which the crusaders suffered a crushing defeat, the fortress lost its defensive significance. From the 16th century, Lithuanian princes began to live in Vilnius, and Trakai became an ordinary provincial town.

At the same time, the buildings and decorations were kept in good condition all these years. Foreign guests were received here and important documents were signed.

The year 1665 became tragic, when the fortress was taken and partially plundered by the troops of the Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. The soldiers tried to find valuables, but all the wealth was taken out in advance or hidden in forests, basements and at the bottom of the lake. Therefore, all searches for values ​​were in vain.

Over time, Trakai Castle was destroyed and by the beginning of the 20th century it was a ruin with the remains of frescoes from which artists made sketches.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the buildings were mothballed. In the 30s of the last century, the restoration of the Island Castle began. But the main restoration work was carried out only after the Second World War. In the 80s it was completely restored - it became the same as it was in the 15th century.

Currently, there is a historical museum on its territory, the exhibits of which tell about the history of the region. Here you will see kitchen utensils and hunting trophies, antique glass and ceramic items.

During restoration and archaeological excavations, treasures were found, 25 of which are included in the museum’s exhibition. In total, the museum collections contain more than 100 thousand original exhibits.

According to experts, the treasures found are just a small part of the valuables that were hidden in the ground and in the lake, forests and basements of the castle.

Currently, Trakai Castle has become a place for receiving delegations, heads of government, as well as a place for signing agreements and treaties. Monarchs, presidents and prime ministers of many countries have visited here.

The Legend of Trakai Castle

According to legend, if on a full moon from the opposite shore of the lake, standing opposite the southwestern tower, you continuously look at the castle wall, then shortly before dawn you may see the ghost of the Lithuanian prince Vytautas. If you manage to see a ghost, then throughout the year you will experience good luck and great prosperity.

Official website of the Trakai Castle Museum

Currently, the castle in Trakai is the only island castle in Eastern Europe and the largest castle in Lithuania.

If you have been to Budapest, then you will definitely name the two most luxurious architectural landmarks on both sides of the Danube. Lost with the answer? I'll give you a hint: they are huge and stand almost opposite each other. Yes, yes, yes, this is the stunning Hungarian Parliament (more about it) and the incredible Buda Fortress!

And if everyone knows about the parliament, then only half of the tourists know about the fortress. Therefore, today we are talking about her.

What is Buda Castle like?

Buda Castle is a huge architectural complex, the residence of the Hungarian kings. It is located on a fortress hill in part of old Buda and offers a magnificent view of the embankment and the city. The residence is often called a “city within a city” because of its size and the huge walls that separate the territory of the complex from the populated area.

Do you believe that the buildings and premises of the fortress were once used as military barracks and stables? And it was! In the 15th century, the architectural complex was the center of the country, but when the country was captured by the Turks, everything was as I say: stables and barracks. Brrr...
The current castle is built from the time of Sigismund and has a modern layout of the premises.

Of course, after numerous reconstructions and restorations, fires and seizures, the fortress is “no longer the same.” But in any case, it deserves the closest attention and study.

How to get to Buda Castle

I suggest several ways:

• By metro: go to Szell Kalman ter station (red line).
• By tram No. 4, No. 6 to the stop Szell Kalman ter.
• Take bus number 16 to the Szell Kalman ter stop. It departs from Erzsebet Square (Erzsebet ter), which is located near the Deak Ferenc ter metro station (yellow line) near the Opera House and St. Stephen's Basilica (about it). The map below shows exactly where to look for this station.
• You can take the funicular to Buda Castle from the Széchenyi Chain Bridge.
• On foot: well, that’s also possible :).

Tour of the historical complex of Buda Castle

The Buda Castle is not only the most important historical monument, which you cannot do without when visiting the Hungarian capital, but also the cultural center of the city. The complex houses a museum, library and national gallery. The museum's exposition consists of several thousand exhibits telling about the history of Hungary.

And in the exhibition halls of the gallery there is an endless variety of exhibits. By the way, three weeks ago I went to an exhibition of Picasso’s works! Great, right?

Gate and raven

If you decide to stomp your feet all the way to the gate, then I’ll tell you a little about them. A malicious black raven with a ring in its beak sits on the gate. This is a clear demonstration of the legend about the wedding of King Matthias Hunyadi (Corwin). During the wedding, the raven snatched and carried away the gold ring.

Of course, the order was instantly given to catch the bird, take away the decoration and kill it. However, the bad omen did come true: the king’s wife soon fell ill and died. How do you like this start when visiting the fortress? So I thought: “Uhh, interesting!..”

Fortress territory

Walking around the territory, especially at dusk, you can’t help but think that you’ve stepped back in time (let’s not pay attention to modern lighting): picturesque streets, historical sculptures, sublime forms... And there is also a natural underground labyrinth, unique in its kind !
The scenario of the tour of the Buda Fortress also includes acquaintance with part of the underground tunnels. Once you exit the labyrinth, you will go straight to Sandor's Palace, on St. George's Square. The guard changes every hour near the palace; watching and photographing this action is not prohibited - the main thing is not to interfere!

Well, I was most impressed by the fountain depicting a royal hunt scene. The fountain is huge, water flows from the depths of the composition, it makes noise and bewitches... You can stand there forever.

Matthias Church

It is unforgivable to talk about Buda Castle and not mention Matthias Church. Do you see the 80-meter spire, sharp as an arrow? Here it is. On one side of the church you will find the Fisherman's Bastion, and on the other is the Holy Trinity Square.
The church, consecrated in honor of St. Mary, was repeatedly rebuilt and forcibly “converted” to another faith: during the capture of the fortress by the Turks, it was used as a mosque. But everything returned to normal. Today, Matthias Church is the tallest building on the territory of the historical complex; it is also used as an observation deck.

The multi-colored tiles on the roof sparkle provocatively in the sun and give the church a festive look. I think you will see this for yourself. And thanks to the excellent acoustics, organ concerts are regularly held inside, which, by the way, are excellent.

Summary

You can spend the whole day on the territory of the Buda Castle, both independently and with your family. The territory itself is huge: you can endlessly walk, take photographs, or even run (if your child is full of energy) - this will not disturb anyone.

For adults there is a separate attraction: the house of Hungarian wines.

Buda Castle: ticket prices and opening hours

You can enter the territory of the Buda architectural ensemble for free. At the entrance it is possible to purchase an audio guide in any of four languages ​​(English, French, German, Italian). Cost 2.8$ (800 Hungarian units).

The nobles' chambers charge a separate fee. It’s worth checking it out yourself.

You can get to Matthias Church on weekdays from 9.00 to 17.00, on Saturdays it is open until lunch (13.00), and on Sundays come from 13.00 to 17.00. Entrance costs $3.5 (1000 Hungarian money), for students and pensioners – $2.5 (700). Preschoolers are admitted free of charge. Check the rest.

You can view general information and the schedule of upcoming concerts in the church.

Entrance to the Hungarian gallery is free. The gallery welcomes visitors on all days of the week except Monday. Opening hours: 10.00–18.00.

Personal opinion

The Hungarian royal residence is revered in the country in the same way as Wawel in Poland. It’s just that, against the backdrop of the stunning parliament, the Buda Fortress faded a little and got lost. The architectural complex is a huge cultural and historical center that cannot be visited in an hour. If you want to explore Buda Castle in detail, set aside a day for it. Check out the events that are taking place on the territory in the coming days: maybe you will be able to check out an unusual exhibition, attend the Night of Museums, an organ concert, a lecture, watch a Knight's Tournament... Be sure to carry with you documents confirming your right to a discount. Nobody takes my word for it.

Almost all the city's attractions are lined up on both sides of the Danube. If you don’t have time and want to see everything in a short time, take the water bus. Its cost is slightly higher than a ticket for public transport, but in an hour you will see a lot, including the facade of the Hungarian residence, which I call the Buda Fortress.

I wish you a great trip to Budapest and incredible experiences!

How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle? This is a 19th century castle located in the German region of Bavaria. In this article we will tell you how to get to Neuschwanstein Castle in different ways.

If you are planning a trip to the castle by car, you need to exit from the city of Munchen-Sendling, then drive to Landsberg on the A96 autobahn, turn onto the Romantische Strasse and drive in the direction of Fussen to Neuschwanstein ). Parking will cost about four euros. Füssen is the closest settlement to the castles, a small Austrian town on the German-Austrian border. Actually, there are two castles in Neuschwanstein: the first is Neuschwanstein itself, built by Ludwig the Second, who never managed to complete it, the second is located on the neighboring Hohenschwangau mountain, where the king lived while waiting for the completion of the castle of his dreams. Construction lasted 17 years - this is almost the entire reign of Ludwig II.

If you are interested in how to get to Neuschwanstein Castle by public transport, you can use the train. From Munich Central Station, trains run to Füssen station. Once you get off at the station, you can take buses No. 73 or 78. The bus ride will take about ten minutes. Electric trains run every hour, alternately - either without a transfer or with one transfer. The journey by train will take two hours.

You can also travel to Neuschwanstein Castle from Salzburg or Munich as part of a tour group. Be prepared for the fact that the excursion will take a full day - about eight hours, and the amount of approximately 40-45 euros + the cost of entrance tickets to the castles.

If you are planning your trip on your own, it is better to leave Munich on the seven-hour train. A few minutes after each train arrives in Füssen, bus number 9713 leaves to take you to the village of Hohenschwangau in the gorge between two castles. There you can find a parking lot, a ticket center, restaurants and several hotels.

It is better to arrive in Neuschwanstein early in the morning - this will allow you to easily explore the sights and save a lot of time. The ticket system of the castles is quite unique - tickets can only be bought downstairs, in the ticket center; they are not sold in the castle. Also, you will not be able to visit the castles on your own - this can only be done accompanied by a guide. Tours start every five minutes and alternate in English and German. You can also take an audio guide in one of 11 languages, including Russian.

We decided to walk to Loket Castle from Karlovy Vary. To do this, we are at the bus station (we came here from Prague with) got on bus number 6 Doubi and reached the final stop new, rather nondescript place. After getting off the bus, we asked the locals how to get to the Svatosha Rocks (Svatosski skaly). You need to walk a little back in the direction of the bus and exit the main road by turning left

After some time we came to the Ohře River, nearby there are cafes and boarding houses.

But the most important thing about this place is the Svatosha rocks. To get closer to them you need to cross a narrow suspension bridge.

This place is also called a “petrified wedding” because it resembles a wedding procession: the bride and groom, parents, priest, friends, musicians. Legend says that a guy named Jan Svatos lived in these places and he fell in love with a river nymph. They swore eternal love for each other. But after some time, Ian fell in love with a real girl and they decided to get married in the place where he once swore an oath to the nymph. For this betrayal, the river nymph cursed the entire wedding procession. The water overflowed its banks and turned the bride and groom and everyone invited into rocky blocks.

Having crossed the bridge to the other side, we walked along the river to Loket Castle, which is located in the city of Loket. As a result, we walked about ten kilometers from the final stop of bus No. 6 to the castle. The first thing you did was go to a cafe to have lunch. Here they told us how to get back to Karlovy Vary. We had two hours to spare and headed to the castle.

Loket Castle is primarily a defensive fortress, built in the 13th century on a high cliff. There was a time when the fortress served as the residence of kings. And from the 19th to the mid-20th century it was used as a prison, there were torture chambers here. Now this is a museum, it is so gloomy and ominous, with the screams and moans of the condemned, that many are afraid to enter it; we did not raise our hands to photograph anything there.

Inside the castle there is neither rich decoration nor anything that we remember.

In the castle courtyard there is a large stone of meteorite origin. But the most interesting thing is the local wish granter Gottstein, the gnome of the castle.

Then we crossed the bridge and walked to the bus stop to catch the bus to Karlovy Vary.