Germany can apply for Neuschwanstein Castle to be included on the list of World Heritage Sites. In a referendum, the residents of Schwangau in Allgäu approved the idea. This means that the Federal Republic can submit the application to UNESCO in Paris in early 2024 as planned. As Mayor Stefan Rinke (CSU) announced, around 56 percent of those who voted supported the project.
“We are happy about the referendum,” emphasized Rinke. “This gives us the clear mandate of the population to actively support the government initiative.” The castle in the Ostallgäu is to be submitted to Unesco as a World Heritage proposal together with three other famous buildings of the Bavarian King Ludwig II: with the castles Herrenchiemsee and Linderhof as well as the royal house at Schachen.
The “Building Dreams” project has been on the so-called tentative list for some time, on which the next World Heritage proposals from the Federal Republic will be collected. Neuschwanstein, known as the fairytale castle, is the flagship of the application. The decision of the World Heritage Committee is expected in the summer of 2025.
However, not everyone in Schwangau is enthusiastic about the initiative of the Bavarian state government. Some fear that the World Heritage seal could attract even more visitors. With around one and a half million guests a year, Neuschwanstein is already one of the biggest tourist attractions in Germany. In addition, some residents are skeptical because they fear further restrictions for reasons of monument protection if new buildings are to be built in the vicinity of the castle. In the referendum, the critics remained in the minority with around 44 percent. Voter turnout was around 56 percent.
The advocates – including the mayor of the town – had replied that more tourism was not possible and that the negative consequences had to be reduced. A World Heritage title also makes it possible to get more grants for corresponding projects – not to mention the image gain.