Ludwig was born in 1845 to Maximilian II, King of Bavaria, and Princess Marie of Prussia. Prince Ludwig enjoyed dressing up and play-acting as a boy which was evident in his imagination and interests as he grew older. His father passed and in 1864 Ludwig became Crown Prince and King of Bavaria at the age of 19. He later admitted that he became king much too young before he could finish his schooling.
King Ludwig II & Neuschwanstein Castle, a fantasy world
As a young boy, Ludwig was intrigued by two castle ruins on a hill near his home of Hohenschwangau Castle. He would often look at them through a telescope. Ludwig started planning to build a new castle to replace the two ruins not long after he became king. This castle was built for him to get away from reality and people.
He loved the writings and music dramas of Richard Wagner which ultimately influenced the interior design and decoration of the new castle. Ludwig brought Wagner to Munich, which launched Munich as the music capital of Europe.
King Ludwig lived in a fantasy world. He had scene painters create a design for the castle in 1868. Neuschwanstein Castle, as it would be called began construction in 1868, one of three castles Ludwig constructed. In 1876, everything up to the 1st floor was completed. This allowed King Ludwig to move some things in and monitor construction. In 1884 the king was able to move into the building, however, he only slept 11 nights in the castle. He spent much of his own fortune and much debt on his castles.
Mad King Ludwig II declared insane
King Ludwig was king for 23 years. Declared mentally unfit in 1886, placed under the supervision of von Gudden his psychiatrist, and sent to live at Berg Palace. Ludwig died the next day in mysterious circumstances in Lake Starnberg, together with the psychiatrist von Gudden, who had certified Ludwig as insane.
King Ludwig II & Neuschwanstein Castle was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s creation of Cinderella’s Castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle View from below The courtyard Mary’s Bridge as seen from Neuschwanstein Castle
Other great cities and places to see in Germany.
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