"Marienbrücke" (Mary's bridge), situated above Pöllat gorge

High above the Pöllat Gorge, offering a breathtaking view of Neuschwanstein Castle, stretches the “Marienbrücke” – a masterpiece of engineering and a symbol of King Ludwig II's vision. However, its history predates the famous fairytale castle itself.
The origins of the bridge date back to King Maximilian II, the father of Ludwig II. As early as the 1840s, he had an initial wooden structure built across the gorge to provide his guests with a spectacular view of the surrounding nature. At that time, the bridge served not only as a viewpoint but also as an important crossing for hikers and hunters in the alpine landscape.
With the construction of Neuschwanstein Castle between 1868 and 1886, the bridge gained significance. Ludwig II recognized its potential as the perfect vantage point to admire his dream castle from an elevated perspective. In 1866, the original wooden structure was replaced with a more stable iron bridge, named after his beloved mother, Queen Marie of Bavaria.
Technologically, the bridge was ahead of its time: the delicate iron structure was secured at great heights using then-modern construction techniques, offering an extraordinary load-bearing capacity for the era. Despite its fragile appearance, it has withstood over 150 years of wind, weather, and thousands of visitors.
To this day, the “Marienbrücke” remains one of Bavaria’s most spectacular viewpoints. While Ludwig II used it as a private retreat to admire his castle, today, it attracts visitors from around the world who come to experience the same fairytale view.