Fairytale Castle Flyby, in 3 Flight Modes

Max Manow flies his paraglider above the Neuschwanstein Castle, then does a flyby in his wingsuit, and finally buzzes the castle under canopy!

Max Manow of Germany seen in front of Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Bavaria, Germany on September 20, 2023
Photo by Sebastian Marko / Red Bull Content Pool

Witness a new vantage point of Bavaria’s iconic landmark, in Schwangau, Germany

Constructed in the 1800s, Neuschwanstein Castle stands proudly in Germany, and is believed to have inspired the enchanting castles found in an abundance of fairytales.

Max Manow, a German BASE jumper and wingsuit pilot, embarked on an incredible experience flying closely beside the majestic spires of Neuschwanstein Castle. With a unique combination of flight systems, he captured a unique perspective of this iconic Bavarian landmark.

Starting from the Tegelberg cable car station in Schwangau, Max used the day’s favourable weather and gentle northeastern breezes. Manow launched his paragliding canopy at an elevation of 5,465 feet, and his flight spanned approximately 2.5 kilometres.

Max Manow in front of Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Bavaria
Photo by Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool

As he flew the paraglider around 2,000 feet above the Pöllatschlucht, he executed a unique mid-air manoeuvre. Max cut away his paraglider canopy, experiencing a brief freefall before transitioning smoothly from one flight mechanism to his wingsuit.

With the majestic Neuschwanstein Castle as his backdrop, Max Manow flew by, offering a unique perspective on the fairytale fortress. After a brief, controlled flight, Manow safely deployed his canopy, making a smooth landing in a nearby field.

Max Manow releases from his paraglider
Photo by Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool

Manow’s connection to the skies traces back to his youth in Schwangau. A gift of a tandem jump for his 14th birthday fired him up to enter his journey into the world of skydiving. With nearly 10,000 jumps under his belt, he’s well-versed in the world of aerial adventures and is also a certified rigger and instructor.

This flight was about exploring new perspectives. I’m pleased to have had the chance to see such a familiar landmark in a wholly different light.
Max Manow