A Bavarian-style castle for sale two hours north of San Antonio recently had its asking price cut by $1 million.

Located in Burnett, near Inks Lake and Longhorn Cavern State Park, the seven-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath structure is dubbed “Falkenstein” and modeled after plans drawn up by the “Mad King” of Bavaria, Ludwig II.

When the Current last wrote about the fascinating fortress in May, it came with a price tag of $15 million dollars. Now, the palatial property is available for a mere $14 million.

Businessman and architect Terry Young and his wife Kim built the 14,000-square-foot Falkenstein after a fateful visit to Europe, during which they toured Neuschwanstein Castle, the grand structure that inspired the iconic Disneyland castle.

Despite being built in 1998 and in the middle of Texas, this castle couldn’t get much more authentic unless it was actually constructed centuries ago in pre-Germany Bavaria. Sadly, this is one project the so-called “Mad King” never got to realize in his short and ill-fated lifetime — until Young and his wife brought it to life centuries later.

The shy Ludwig II ascended to the throne at age 18 and slowly withdrew from a public life, according to his biography on the Neuschwanstein website. Instead of the daily business of governance, he favored artistic projects, such as commissioning the construction of Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace and Herrencheimsee — all elaborate abodes in their own right.

Ludwig II was also a patron of the arts, most notably backing the composer Richard Wagner.

“… Today I was brought to him,” Wagner wrote after being summoned by the young monarch. “He is unfortunately so beautiful and wise, soulful and lordly, that I fear his life must fade away like a divine dream in this base world … You cannot imagine the magic of his regard: if he remains alive it will be a great miracle!”

This remark was sadly prescient, since Ludwig didn’t live much longer.

Much like Texas castle builder Young, Ludwig looked to the past for architectural inspiration, designing Medieval-style palaces modeled after Versailles. His passion for fantastical architectural projects earned him the nickname of “Fairytale King.” However, his obsession was eventually used against him to declare him insane.

While Ludwig designed his fantasy world, Bavaria fell to Prussia, making him a vassal to the Prussian throne.

As he was beset on all sides with whispers and rumors of his mental state, Ludwig hid the plans for Falkenstein, even from his own family. While touring Neuschwanstein Castle, Young and his wife saw the plans the king had once stowed away as a precious, guarded secret, and determined to make his fairytale come true.

The young ruler was deposed and later found dead in what was determined to be a suicide, though some historians question the true nature of his death.

“I want to remain an eternal mystery to myself and others,” Ludwig once told a governess.

Yet another wish granted to the Fairytale King.

This home is listed by Kale Stephens with Horseshoe Bay Living 2 LLC.
All photos and listing info via Realtor.com.

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This article appears in Sep 3-17, 2025.