Last weekend the Chicago Tribune had an
article on fairy tale castles that Tony pointed out to me. This is hardly a unique thing-the internet/magazines and travel articles are full of lists of beautiful castles, but it got me wondering: why are they always called "fairy tale castles?" Very few of them ever have associations with fairy tales (with the exception of maybe the Neuschwanstein and the one featured here), yet the mere fact that they are castles means that we throw the term "fairy tale" in front of them. Sure, castles are featured in fairy tales, but so are tiny peasants' huts, and you don't see lists of "fairy tale pauper homes."
The article's introduction reads, "True love and happily-ever-afters are the stuff of which fairy tales are made, so why not give your romantic getaway a storybook feel with a stay at a castle?"
I wonder, is this just an American thing? Castles are such a fascination to us because we have so few around here, and relatively little history. In Europe castles are just part of the landscape, and part of the history; it's where rulers and rich people used to live. It would be sort of like if, in the future, people were making lists of enchanted state capitals to visit. (There are tours of mansions, but you don't usually see people advertising them as being "magical" or associating them with fairy tales).
Yet one castle that does have fairy tale associations is the
Sababurg, or Sleeping Beauty Castle. The Castle itself is not far from where the brothers Grimm lived. Terri Colby states
in the article that "It had been in disrepair for many years and was hidden by shrubbery in the early 1900s when locals began calling it the Sleeping Beauty Castle of Brothers Grimm fame...These days the fairy tale is celebrated, with actors dressed as Sleeping Beauty and Prince Charming telling the story of their love. It's not too kitschy, largely because this is a genuine castle with real history."
So I guess that's all we can hope for in a fairy tale reenactment in a historical castle-"not too kitschy."
Still, if a trip to Germany and a stay here were anywhere within our travel budget, I'd go there in a heartbeat. Anyone been here/have more info?
Now I want to go stay at the Sababurg.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the designation "fairy tale castle" for neo-gothic castles like Neuschwanstein has something to do with the time period both of fairy tale collecting and the gothic revival. I believe the latter was partially influenced by the whole folklore movement of Romanticism - rich people built or rebuilt their castles in a "romantic", "fairy tale" style because that's what was in vogue in the mid-19th century, and we still think of it in those terms. What do you think?
You've totally sidetracked me for the day. I've spent at least an hour surfing around on the Sababurg's website, dreaming of staying there. The rooms. The food. Everything. Sigh.
DeleteThat's a good point! I knew the Neuschwanstein was intentionally built to look like a romantic "fairy tale castle" but I didn't know that was a trend! Yeah it would be a total dream to stay there...
DeleteI guess it's all those round towers from which a captive princess might peer while awaiting rescue. People have found these things romantic for centùries and built follies. I think I recall one in Wales where they filmed an episode of Robin Of Sherwood. In the era of Gothic literature, they'd install a hermit to go visit after dinner or even some romantic ruins.
ReplyDeleteBut real castles were anything but romantic. They were built as defences and must have been uncomfortable to live and work in.
Yes absolutely-I should do some research into what life in a castle was really like! Cold, drafty halls in winter, I'm sure...
DeleteThat said, it would be fun to go stay in one of these places being offered. I'm betting they'd be heated well enough in winter!
ReplyDeleteNowadays heating even a small hunting chateau can cost beteen 7000 and 10000 euros per month
DeleteI can't help thinking, castles figure into fairy tales, but they also figure into Gothic horror stories. But they get advertised as "fairy tale castles" because people associate fairy tales with positive things despite the trials and tribulations of the characters featured therein whereas gothic horror stories are remembered for being harrowing and dark though also thrilling to those who like that sort of thing. You probably get a lot more visitors if you advertise your castle as "Sleeping Beauty Castle" than if you advertise it as "Dracula Castle".
ReplyDeleteHaha, good point! Although the idea of staying in a "Dracula Castle" is very intriguing! I think that could be a brilliant marketing plot, you might get a different fan base, but there are plenty of vampire/Gothic horror fans out there! But it's probably a lot more comforting to stay in a place inspired by stories that *usually* end happily...
DeleteThe term "Märchenschloss (fairytale castle)definitely exists in Germany and is used in advertising a lot. It's worth mentioning that the German language differentiates between "Burg" and "Schloss", "Burg" describing medieval castles, meant toprotect in case of a siege (having a castle wall, watchtowers, etc.), while a "Schloss" doesn't have this function and therefore can "afford" looking prettier. Comparing *Schloss* Neuschwanstein and Saba*burg* should give a good impression of the difference. While the more martial looking burg is usually associated with the knights of legends and folk ballads, the "dainty" schloss is connected to fairytales. Sababurg seems to be the exception of the rule, but then again who can blame them for having a clever business idea^^
ReplyDeleteHow very interesting! I was hoping you'd share your perspective :) The two words for "castle" makes a lot of sense
DeleteGreat post! I would love to stay in a castle, although, as a fairy tale fan, I would feel disconcerted by having the fairy tale characters on site. That's an experience best left to Disneyworld, to me at least. But I guess these historical sites are attempting to bring in more visitors. There's controversy about the U.K.'s Tintagel Castle's new Merlin sculpture carved into a rock below the castle. English Heritage wants to connect the castle with the legend of King Arthur, but others say it's best left alone. bit.ly/1oH98dq Anyway, I'd still love to stay in a castle sometime, but will have to win the lottery or something first. So in the meantime I'll enjoy the photos and discussion:)
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