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On Saturday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – better known as UNESCO – will decide which of this year's 32 applicants will become the world's newest protected Heritage Sites.
One of the nominees is Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle. You may not recognize the name, but you'll probably find it looks somehow very familiar: not for nothing is it known to many as the "Disney Castle".
Perched upon a hill in the remote northern edges of the Bavarian Alps, the 19th century whimsical structure – the fantastical dream of King Ludwig II – was said to be Walt Disney's inspiration for his film company's logo and the Sleeping Beauty castle at the center of Disneyland, California.
The castle inspired Walt Disney. /Natalie Carney/CGTN
The Bavarian Palace Administration's chief conservator Alexander Wiesnet explains that King Ludwig II's intention for the castle was to escape the pressures of his royal duties and immerse himself in another world, full of romantic ideals and medieval legends.
"King Ludwig had music and images in his head and he had them transformed into reality here," Wiesnet tells CGTN. "In the upper courtyard he wanted a knight's house, a staircase and a fountain, and that is a scene from the opera Lohengrin.
"In the Singers' Hall, one can wander from picture to picture and go through the story of Parzival or relive the entire opera. It's a kind of 3D cinema, which is available 24 hours a day."
Construction on this fairy-tale castle began in 1869, but was never completed. It was intended to be the King's main residence, but sadly he died in 1886 having lived only two years within its walls.
The interiors are being carefully restored. /Natalie Carney/CGTN
Yet work to restore what was built has always been a priority for the Bavarian Palace Administration, to ensure the essence of King Ludwig II's dreams remain intact.
"We've completed a comprehensive renovation of the interior over the past few years," Wiesnet says. "Over 20 million euros [$23.4m] has been invested in the first major renovation since the palace was built, and various artisans, including painters, woodworkers, and goldsmiths, have worked on the renovations.
"You can see the interiors shining in the light like they did 150 years ago when King Ludwig was there. We want visitors to be able to continue experiencing the palace."
And visitors certainly are. More than 1.3 million people visit annually from all over the world, such as Fernando Tabia, his wife and their two children from the USA.
"It's beyond expectations," Fernando says. "It's very nice, it's very extravagant, the details are amazing, the wood, the stone – everything is amazing."
The castle is popular with tourists. /Natalie Carney/CGTN
But Neuschwanstein's charm is also popular with domestic tourists as well. Holger and Kerstin Zschorn from northern Germany had to cancel a trip to the castle four years ago because of COVID. They tell CGTN that they are glad to finally be here.
"This castle is truly gigantic. I have to say, I'm very impressed" says Holger.
"It's impossible to put into words how gigantic it is, how the rooms were designed, how they were lived in," says Kerstin.
Both believe the castle is worthy of UNESCO World Heritage status. "I hope it gets the status because it is something unique," says Holger. "It is a very cultural thing."
UNESCO's World Heritage Convention was developed in 1972 to protect cultural and natural sights of universal value around the world.
There are currently 1,223 sites, including rusty industrial relics, romantic historical towns, natural beauty worthy of protection and of course magnificent castles.
When the announcement is made in Paris this weekend, many are hoping Neuschwanstein Castle will be the latest addition.