Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau, Germany

The New7Wonders World Tour visited Neuschwanstein Castle this afternoon, with the huge airship flying around the castle numerous times. Luckily, the weather stayed dry, with clouds lending the scene an autumnal feeling. Many tourists from all over the world were thrilled to first hear and then see the airship in the sky, bright against the muted Alpine background.

The hour-long ceremony opened with moving, sonoric alphorn music echoing in Neuschwanstein's grand courtyard. After a celebratory and rousing Bavarian brass segment, the President of the Bavarian Administration of State-owned Palaces, Gardens and Lakes, Egfried Hanfstaengl received the certificate of candidacy from Bernard Weber.

This was followed by Bavarian folk dancing, including the famous knee- and foot-slapping "Schuhplatteln," by a local youth dance troupe. The festivities ended with a lovely duet by the characters of Mad King Ludwig II of Bavaria and Empress Sissy of Austria-Hungary from the musical "Ludwig2" now playing in nearby Füssen.

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