It is well-known worldwide and has a castle-like appearance. Quite obviously, a lot of people believe that Neuschwanstein belongs on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Germany

One would assume that the well-known Bavarian Neuschwanstein Castle and the prestigious designation of the most significant structures in the world, the UNESCO World Heritage List, go together nicely. It has the greatest names, the most impressive cathedrals, castles, and towns from many different nations and ages. The most well-known of the royal castles in Bavaria, Neuschwanstein, may not even apply for what other locations have been battling for decades: inclusion in this list.

And there's a good reason for it: you can't force such an application through against the will of the locals in a neighborhood with such a magnificent structure. And there are so many people opposed to a referendum on Sunday that it may not even be clear whether they are the majority in Schwangau, the Bavarian town where Neuschwanstein is situated.

An election is comparable to a referendum. Just a question, not the choice of a party or candidate, is at issue. For instance, a referendum was held before the new football stadium in Munich was constructed, and nearly two-thirds of participants approved. Or the citizens were against Munich Airport getting another runway. Then it wasn't built.

The fact that more people may find work at the airport and that there would be more planes in a greater choice of directions is also something to be amazed at. Is it not good? But if the airport were bigger, there would also be more dust and noise, making it even more uncomfortable to live nearby. And these drawbacks were more important to the vast majority of people who participated in the referendum more than ten years ago.

The worries of those who live in Schwangau near Neuschwanstein Castle are similar to those of the airport. The only sources of noise and smog in this area are the numerous buses and automobiles carrying tourists who want to view Neuschwanstein during the summer. Up to 8,000 people each day might be found visiting the castle alone. Others simply want to visit a neighboring bridge so they can take fantastic pictures with the castle in the backdrop. These figures date back a few years and won't have decreased. Even though Neuschwanstein is not yet listed as a World Heritage Site, the anticipation is already enormous.

How well-known should the castle rise? That is a question that several locals are considering. This 150-year-old vision of Bavarian King Ludwig II, who was only allowed to reside here for a brief while and did not survive to see the castle completed, is already well-known across the globe. It is a replica of all castles from Disney fairy tale films. These individuals believe that the designation of the castle as a World Heritage Site would only result in the introduction of new guidelines, limitations, and expectations about the condition of the surrounding region and the preservation of existing features.

In 2009, Dresden was stripped of the honor of having the most picturesque Elbe valley once more because a motorway bridge was constructed directly over it. The citizens of Dresden also realized that this was against Unesco regulations. Nevertheless, they valued city traffic above the World Heritage designation. The application's opponents worry that such recognition will exacerbate the unrest in Schwangau.

Those in support of an application argue that adding Neuschwanstein to the World Heritage List would be a good excuse to finally address the traffic issues. The state government would then have to handle another issue in a totally different manner. Additionally, individuals from all around the world were able to share with Neuschwanstein's neighbors how they handled comparable challenges. You might be able to share knowledge. In general, you may just need to consider the kind of people you would like to visit the castle and the surrounding region before taking action to make sure that they are the majority of visitors.

By the way, Ludwig II, the Bavarian monarch who originally envisioned this castle, also desired tranquility in this location. He vehemently opposed having any guests stay in Neuschwanstein. Certainly none that he did not personally invite. On Sunday, it will be determined if the residents of Schwangau share their king's desire for solitude. or at least not to attract more people to the castle.