LEGO Neuschwanstein Castle is begging for a build experience that matches its real-life history

The rumoured inspiration for the next LEGO Architecture set strikes the perfect balance between the two most recent models from the theme.

With rumours flying about the next LEGO Architecture set being 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle, expected to have a piece count of nearly 3,500 and release in August this year, a glance at the real-life palace appears to combine the two most recently released LEGO Architecture sets, 21060 Himeji Castle and 21061 Notre-Dame de Paris.

When we had each set for review, written by Rob and Matthew respectively, the two display-focused sets impressed them both massively. Rob identified 21060 Himeji Castle as 'one of the most thorough and engaging builds of 2023 so far', going on to note that the set experiments with 'an experience that will demand as much concentration from you as it will time'. The build experience is just as vital a part of the set as the final display – and both are breathtaking.

"21060 Himeji Castle benefits in finding that sweetest spot within the LEGO Architecture line, offering up a large enough LEGO model that captures the essence and details of the subject material, without asking of you too high of an investment, nor an epic and somewhat over-the-top commitment to put it all together," Rob wrote.

This approachable but high-reward approach continued in 21061 Notre-Dame de Paris, with Matthew writing: "The build process is broken up wonderfully to provide historical context and avoid a feeling of constant repetition. While the set may be a bit fiddly in places and it’s not easy to look inside at all of its details once constructed, this is one of the most beautiful and interesting LEGO sets based on real-world architecture to date."

In 21061 Notre-Dame de Paris, the build process is even further played with, including notes in the instructions with historical context. The build is also split into sections that match with actual time periods – 1163 to 1182, 1182 to 1200, 1200 to 1225, and 1225 to 1786 – so that the set is put together in the same order that the real Notre-Dame was built. Once again, the build experience becomes just as integral to the set as its final look.

Turning to the future now with 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle, the real-life castle has the chance to take this emphasis on the building process even further. Like Notre Dame, Neuschwanstein was built over the span of decades, with plans from Ludwig II of Bavaria layered on top of a much older castle. You can see the layers of the different rock types used in the construction of the castle in the image below.

While Neuschwanstein Castle is one building, it's made up of several individual structures, tied together with connecting walkways and unifying courtyards. This is the perfect opportunity to go even further than 21061 Notre-Dame de Paris to include more historical context about how the building gradually built up over the years – especially as it's backed by a mysterious story of intrigue and possible murder.

King Ludwig II commissioned the castle but didn't live to see it finished, disappearing while swimming out on the nearby lake, despite being a lifelong strong swimmer. His doctor died the same day due to blunt force trauama and, with political trouble swirling around him, it's thought that Ludwig might have been forcibly deposed from power, although the death was officially ruled a suicide at the time.

This combination of a slow real-life construction and a nail-biting story is begging for the LEGO Group to expand on its focus on LEGO Architecture builds. Not only should it have the intricacy of 21060 Himeji Castle and the gradual breakdown of 21061 Notre-Dame de Paris, but also include more historical notes than the latter did. For a theme that is increasingly focused on the build process as well as the final look, 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle has all the ingredients to be a slam dunk.

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