The castle construction of the 19th century in Germany has long been ignored by art history and considered unworthy of scientific examination. Many viewed the feudal architecture of the past century merely as a playground for oddballs and eccentrics. However, the research and publications of recent decades, along with the increased interest in the era of historicism, have led to insights that have dispelled some prejudices. This work is the first comprehensive monograph on Hohenschwangau Castle. King Maximilian II of Bavaria initiated the construction as Crown Prince in 1833 and completed it in 1855. This reconstruction of an old castle ruin reflects not only the self-understanding and romantic imagination of the builder but also directly reveals ideas and developments that illuminate the peculiarities of historicist artistic creations. Hohenschwangau Castle is assigned a significant place in the architectural history of German Romanticism, deserving of recognition as a total work of art due to its successful combination of architecture, painting, and sculpture.