elaborate castle built atop a rock ledge over the Pöllat Gorge in the Bavarian Alps (near Füssen, Ger.) by order of Bavaria's King Louis II (Louis II), called “Mad Ludwig.” The project's principal architect was Eduard Riedel (until 1874); Georg von Dollmann (Dollmann, Georg von) (1874–86) supervised the work but designed only decorative details. Begun in 1869 and left unfinished at Louis's death in 1886, this lavish stronghold is an eccentric romantic reconstruction of a medieval castle, complete with walled courtyard, indoor garden, spires, towers, and an artificial cave. Its two-story throne room is modeled after a Byzantine basilica; stars decorate its blue vaulted ceiling, which is supported by red porphyry columns. Louis was a patron of Richard Wagner (Wagner, Richard), and wall paintings throughout the castle depict Wagnerian themes: the life of Parsifal in the fourth-floor Singers' Hall; the Tannhäuser saga in the study; Lohengrin in the great parlour.Neuschwanstein Castle became a popular tourist attraction in the 20th century.