Ludwig II of Bavaria - The Eccentric Life and Castles of 'Mad King Ludwig' - Exploring Castles Linderhof Castle. Credit: Yilmaz Ovunc . His private palace of Linderhof was designed as a refuge for a reclusive king to hide away from the hubbub of his kingdom, deep within the Bavarian countryside. This tiny palace was designed for one person alone – it has only ten rooms, and four of these were for servants. Much of Linderhof is designed for a man who enjoyed his own company – the dining table only has enough space for one person to eat! Linderhof also has the distinction of having its own grotto – a little space filled with rocks, water-fountains and stalactites, delicately lit and designed as a space to host performances of Wagner. Herrenchiemsee Castle. Credit: Allie Caulfield. King Ludwig II of Bavaria also attempted to re-create the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles within his backyard. The palace of Herrenchiemsee was built upon an island floating in Germany’s largest inland lake – a perfect little spot to assure the eccentric King’s privacy.

The entire spot was designed to emulate the sharp-lined majesty of Versailles, and elaborate French paintings were hung in its finished, furnished rooms. Of course, the most famous of Ludwig’s castles – and, indeed, probably the most famous and emblematic castle in the world – was the magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle . Designed as the ultimate cliff-top refuge – and a huge theatre for Wagner – this masterpiece was again unfinished at the time of Ludwig’s death. As Fantasy Castles go, the sheer size and scale of Neuschwanstein is breathtaking. Credit: Jeff Wilcox, CC BY 2.0. King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s Fall From Power and the Diagnosis of ‘Madness’ Brooch of King Ludwig Unfortunately, Mad King Ludwig’s interest in building spectacular castles quickly developed into an unhealthy preoccupation. Ludwig neglected his royal duties, instead becoming increasingly withdrawn and focusing all his energies on building progressively more impressive – and outlandish – designs. It’s misconception that Ludwig’s castle-building exploits bankrupted the state of Bavaria.

Most of the vast debts that Ludwig racked-up were in his own name, and, by 1885, he’d accrued a phenomenal debt of some 14m marks – held against his own name and his family’s. Ludwig’s obsession with castles was pathological – and damaging to the state of Bavaria. He was wasting huge amounts of time – and money – dispatching his advisors to the four corners to the globe to uncover architectural details for his next masterpiece. He had become indifferent to state-business, and instead obsessed over his personal projects. He begged foreign governments for loans to further fund his endeavours, and was unable to rein in his excessive spending. As a result of all these problems, his government advisors began plotting. Ludwig II couldn’t be removed from his throne by constitutional means – but he could be forcibly withdrawn if it was decided that he was too ill to rule. The man was undoubtedly eccentric – but government advisors saw the best way to depose King Ludwig was for him to be diagnosed as clinically insane, and therefore incompetent.

As a result – although he had no prior diagnosis of ‘madness’ – he was suddenly declared to be mentally insane by four separate, government-sanctioned psychiatrists, in 1886. Ludwig was immediately forced to resign from the throne – under duress – and was forced out of his lodgings within Neuschwanstein Castle, which was being constructed at that time. The Death of King Ludwig: Was it Murder? King Ludwig’s crypt Historians don’t know for sure how ‘Mad’ King Ludwig died. We do know that he died in 1886, and his body was found floating in Lake Starnberg – alongside the body of his psychiatrist, Dr Gudden. His death occurred just days after he was decreed to be ‘mad’, and was deposed from the throne. One of the official theories was that Ludwig had killed his psychiatrist (there were marks of struggle on Gudden’s body), and Ludwig had then either committed suicide, or drowned accidentally within the lake after the struggle. A lot of things don’t entirely add up from this version of events.

King Ludwig had never before displayed any violent tendencies; and, although he had mentioned suicide to his psychiatrist, it didn’t appear that he was particularly inclined to take his own life (and, even if he had, it’s not clear how he would have actually killed himself). It’s also unlikely he would have drowned, as he had been a strong swimmer from an early age. Supposed image of Ludwig’s corpse One persistent theory is that Ludwig was murdered. There’re two modern pieces of ‘evidence’ which may point to this conclusion: Siegfried Wichmann, a modern art-historian, has discovered what he claims to be an authentic image of Ludwig’s body, painted just after his death, which shows blood dripping from the side of his mouth. This is pictured, to the left. If this were a true picture of King Ludwig’s corpse, it would suggest that he died of violence or trauma: not of drowning. The other piece of evidence is a anecdotal.

50 years ago, Countess Josephine von Wrba-Kaunitz, a distant relative of the Royal family, pulled out a sensational find at a tea-party: a grey-jacket with a bullet-hole, which she claimed to be King Ludwig II’s – and therefore proof of his murder. The tea-party was absolutely stunned, but this crucial piece of evidence was lost in a house-fire a few years later. What was the real story behind Ludwig II’s death? The truth is, we’ll probably never know entirely. Unless his corpse is exhumed – which his relatives have always resisted – we’ll never have an accurate post-mortem to answer these key questions about King Ludwig’s life. Are you reading about King Ludwig because you’re going to visit Neuschwanstein Castle? If you’re interested in King Ludwig and Neuschwanstein Castle – or if you’re planning or dreaming of organising a visit – I’ve written Neuschwanstein Castle: An Exploring Castles Travel Guide with you in mind. It’s crammed full of useful information and money saving tips to transform any visit to Neuschwanstein Castle. It’s filled with facts and stories about King Ludwig, too.

It’s a great way to learn more about the life of this incredible King – and understand his ambitions and achievements. You can buy a printed copy – or a digital Kindle edition. So click the button to buy it now on Amazon! 🙂 You might also like.... The making of King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle - CNET CNET The making of King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle The making of King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle Road Trip 2011: King Ludwig II bankrupted his state of Bavaria by building this fairytale castle, which was still under construction at the time of his mysterious death at age 41. Up Next Chelsea Manning's sentence commuted by Obama A view of Neuschwanstein from below.Photo by Daniel Terdiman/CNET SCHWANGAU, Germany--Given that King Ludwig II of Bavaria built Neuschwanstein Castle as a place where he could get away from the public and the sycophants who wanted to be near him, he might well have shuddered at the notion that just weeks after his death, the incredible palace was opened up as a public museum.

Neuschwanstein, if you're not familiar with it, is one of the world's most fairytale castles. In fact, you've surely seen countless pictures of it, its picturesque towers and walls sitting gorgeously in the middle of an Alpine valley, a gorgeous German countryside nestled below. 24 'Mad' King Ludwig's fairytale castle (photos) I visited earlier this month as part of Road Trip 2011 , and you may well have been there too. With 1.3 million annual visitors, Neuschwanstein is one of the most famous castles in the world, despite its inconvenient location deep in Bavaria, away from most other attractions. And it's said that it was one of the inspirations for Disneyland's Cinderella Castle. In short, this is a building with a big impact on a lot of people. Ludwig's short, unhappy life King Ludwig II was born in 1845 in another one of his family's castles, Nymphenburg. He was the oldest son of King Maximilian II of Bavaria and Queen Marie of Prussia.

And after growing up largely in Hohenschwangau Castle, which is located just below where Neuschwanstein eventually was built, he became king of Bavaria in 1864 on his 18th birthday. He was hardly prepared for the job, having been brought up without an education in politics or statesmanship. In fact, though, by the time he ascended to the throne, the role of King of Bavaria was largely a ceremonial one, and the decisions were really being made by others, far away in Munich. And just two years into his monarch, he was further marginalized when Prussia conquered both Bavaria and Austria in what was called the "German War." "From then on," reads an article about him on the official Neuschwanstein Web site, "Bavaria's foreign policy was dictated by Prussia and [Ludwig] was only a 'vassal' of his Prussian uncle." This is Neuschwanstein, 'Mad' King Ludwig's famous storybook castle set in the foothills of the Alps, in Bavaria.

Ludwig died at 41 before the castle was completed, but today it is among the most popular attractions in Europe.Photo by Copyright Bayerische Schlosserverwaltung Still, Ludwig, having grown up in grand castles with ties to the French Kings of the House of Bourbon, had an idealized vision of the monarchy and what it meant. He was enthralled by royalty and nobility and the trappings that went along with it. "Ludwig II was possessed by the idea of a holy kingdom by the grace of God," reads the article. "In reality he was a constitutional monarch, a head of state with rights and duties and little freedom of action. For this reason he built a fantasy world around him in which--far removed from reality--he could feel he was a real king. From 1875 on he lived at night and slept during the day." Indeed, it was this sense of nobility and separation from his subjects that led Ludwig to envision a new, grander home, a better Hohenschwangau with roots in Versailles and the grand castles of medieval Germany. Not worrying about the costs of such a venture, he commissioned the building of Neuschwanstein and construction began in 1869.

But things did not go well for the young king. He spent far more than his position warranted--or his treasury could support--and the project began to bankrupt the kingdom. In 1885, the article recalls, his creditors, mainly foreign banks, threatened to seize all his properties, including his new jewel of a castle. This is what Neuschwanstein Castle looked like upon the death of King Ludwig. He never saw it as anything more than a construction site, though he did live there for about six months.Photo by Copyright Bayerische Schlosserverwaltung In fact, Neuschwanstein wasn't even finished yet. Though work had started in 1869, it was still under construction and constant changes in the plans were slowing work down. Yet, for the last six months or so of his life, Ludwig made his home in the storybook castle. Whole floors were incomplete, but Ludwig was nonetheless at home with its place high in the hills above Schwangau, looking down on his childhood home of Hohenschwangau, and close to the woods of the Alpine foothills close to the Austrian border. Until 1886, that is. That year, things turned bad for the king.

In what seems like an attempt to cease his irresponsible spending, he was declared insane. On June 12, 1886, he was arrested in his bedroom at Neuschwanstein and taken to Berg Palace in Munich. A day later, after going for a walk with his psychiatrist around Lake Starnberg near the palace, the king was found dead along with his doctor. No one has ever determined the cause of death, be it murder, suicide, or an accident. Ludwig was just 41 years old. Dedicated to Wagner Ludwig appears to have had few real friends during his short life, but one was the world-famous composer Richard Wagner. Already as Crown Prince, Ludwig had been fascinated with the operatic works of Wagner, and wanted to bring him to Munich as soon as he became king. His idea was that Wagner could help him put together an opera festival. And, upon taking the throne in 1864, he summoned the composer and set the festival in motion. Over the next years, Munich became the world's opera center, according to the official biography of Ludwig on the Web site, and Wagner composed a series of important works there.

And while Wagner was forced out of Munich in 1865 due to a "conflict" with the government, he nevertheless maintained the support of the king. In fact, the king was so taken with the musician's operas that he dedicated his new castle to them. Throughout Neuschwanstein, there are gorgeous paintings inspired not by Wagner's operas, but by the medieval legends the composer chose as the basis for his work. Never finished There is a picture of Neuschwanstein taken in the weeks after Ludwig's untimely death in 1886. It shows the main structure that is so famous today, but with a huge scaffolding alongside it. Because Ludwig had run up monumental bills, the state of Bavaria immediately ceased work on the castle upon his death. Neuschwanstein was also opened up for visits by the public, but in the wake of the cessation of construction, entire areas of the castle remained unfinished, and still are to this day. Among them is the entire second floor, and dozens of planned rooms. And while the castle has a magnificent throne room, there is no throne and never was. It, too, was not completed before Ludwig's death. Other areas just barely missed the same fate.

The so-called Singer's Hall was completed just two days before Ludwig's death. Modern technology Although Ludwig was fascinated by medieval legends and stories, he also wanted the best of the best for his new home. So in designing Neuschwanstein, builders used the latest innovations to ensure that the king had the most up-to-date technology at his disposal. For example, according to the Neuschwanstein Web site, the building had hot air central heating and every floor had running water. The kitchen featured both cold and hot water, and the castle's toilets were among the first with an automatic flushing system. Even the construction was done with state-of-the-art tools. Steam engines drove the cranes used to build the castle and steel construction was the basis of the Throne Room. Ludwig even had telephones on two floors, though the number of people he could call was extremely limited. Though actual construction didn't begin until September 5, 1869, workers began excavating the castle's site in 1868, when they removed eight meters of stone outcrop in order to make room for the foundation. According to the Web site, "the latest building techniques and materials were used in the construction of the castle.

The foundations were cemented and the walls built of brick with light-colored limestone used merely as cladding." Work on the castle building itself started in the fall of 1872, and on January 29, 1880 the topping-out ceremony was held. Unfortunately for Ludwig, he never saw Neuschwanstein as anything but a building site since it wasn't finished upon his death. These days, as many as 6,000 people visit Neuschwanstein on a summer day, making it one of the most popular castles and palaces in Europe. Yet the building is hardly stable. According to the Web site, "movement in the foundation area has to be continuously monitored, and the sheer rock walls must be repeatedly secured.

The harsh climate also has a detrimental effect on the limestone facades, which will have to be renovated section by section over the next few years." Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung | Neuschwanstein Castle | Idea and History Idea and History Idea and History History of the origins of Neuschwanstein Castle Ludwig II, King of Bavaria since 1864, addressed the following lines to the man he so greatly admired, Richard Wagner: Ideal design for Neuschwanstein Castle by Christian Jank, 1869 «It is my intention to rebuild the old castle ruin of Hohenschwangau near the Pöllat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles, and I must confess to you that I am looking forward very much to living there one day (in 3 years); there will be several cosy, habitable guest rooms with a splendid view of the noble Säuling, the mountains of Tyrol and far across the plain; you know the revered guest I would like to accommodate there; the location is one of the most beautiful to be found, holy and unapproachable, a worthy temple for the divine friend who has brought salvation and true blessing to the world.

It will also remind you of "Tannhäuser" (Singers' Hall with a view of the castle in the background), "Lohengrin'" (castle courtyard, open corridor, path to the chapel); this castle will be in every way more beautiful and habitable than Hohenschwangau further down, which is desecrated every year by the prose of my mother; they will take revenge, the desecrated gods, and come to live with Us on the lofty heights, breathing the air of heaven». Almost all the aspects of Ludwig's Neuschwanstein are mentioned here. What is not mentioned, however, is the political reason for building: in 1866 Bavaria, allied with Austria, had lost a war against the expanding Prussia. Bavaria was forced to accept a "defensive and offensive alliance", which removed the king's right to dispose over his army in case of war. From 1866, therefore, Ludwig II was no longer a sovereign ruler. This limitation was the biggest misfortune of his life. In 1867 he began planning his own kingdom, in the form of his castles and palaces, where he could be a real king.

"More beautiful and habitable than the lower castle of Hohenschwangau" Ludwig II spent his childhood at Hohenschwangau Castle. Crown Prince Maximilian II of Bavaria, Ludwig II's father, had the ruined castle of Schwanstein rebuilt from 1832 in the "Gothic style". The young Ludwig was influenced by the romantic mountain scenery and the summer castle became one of his favourite places to stay. Hohenschwangau was decorated with scenes from medieval legends and poetry, including the legend of the swan knight Lohengrin. Ludwig identified himself when still a boy with Lohengrin, to whom Richard Wagner dedicated a romantic opera in 1850. The swan was also the heraldic animal of the Counts of Schwangau, whose successor the king considered himself to be. Maximilian II had already made the swan a leitmotif of Hohenschwangau. Idealization of the Middle Ages was thus combined with concrete local tradition. "The location is one of the most beautiful to be found" Maximilian II had already had paths and lookout points constructed in the area around Hohenschwangau in order to be able to enjoy the scenery.

In the 1840s, as a birthday present for his mountain-climbing consort Marie, he had the bridge, the "Marienbrücke", built high above the Pöllat Gorge. From the narrow mountain ridge known as the "Jugend" to the left of the Pöllat, there was a magnificent view of the mountains and lakes. Maximilian II loved this spot and planned to build a viewing pavilion there in 1855. Crown Prince Ludwig was often on the "Jugend". View of a castle based on the Wartburg near Eisenach, pen-and-ink drawing, probably dating from 1867 On the "Jugend" were the ruins of two small castles: Vorder- and Hinterhohenschwangau. It was here that Ludwig II planned to build his "New Hohenschwangau Castle" (it only acquired the name of "Neuschwanstein" after the death of the king). It was to be a better recreation of an ideal medieval castle than Hohenschwangau.

Perfection was the key: the "reconstruction" was to be closer to the original style and equipped with all modern technical features. In 1867 Ludwig II visited the recently "rebuilt". Wartburg. Here he was particularly inspired by the Singers' Hall, allegedly the location of the legendary "Singers' Contest". The Wartburg and its hall became the leitmotif of the "New Castle". The architect Eduard Riedel also had to process ideas based on stage sets designed by the Munich scene painter Christian Jank. "Looking forward to living there one day (in three years)" The castle was not built as rapidly as the king expected. The project was too comprehensive and the building site on the mountain presented difficulties. Set designers, architects and artisans implemented the king's detailed ideas. The inconsiderate deadlines he set could sometimes only be met by working day and night. The foundation stone of the "New Castle" was laid on 5 September 1869. The Gateway Building was constructed first, and Ludwig II lived here for a number of years. The topping-out ceremony for the Palas was not until 1880, and the king moved in in 1884.

View of the Gateway Building; historic photograph As he increasingly withdrew from human contact and focused even more on his royal dignity, Ludwig II changed the building programme. The guest rooms were replaced in the plans by a "Moorish Hall" with a fountain, but this was never actually built. The "Writing Room" was changed from 1880 into a small grotto. The modest "Audience Room" became a huge Throne Room. This was no longer intended for giving audiences, but was built as a monument to kingship and a copy of the legendary Grail hall. A highly modern steel construction was necessary in order to incorporate this hall in the Palas, which was already standing. A "knights' bath" was to be installed in the west part of the Palas, reminiscent of the ritual bath of the knights of the Holy Grail. Today there is a flight of stairs here for use by visitors, which leads down to the exit. 1000+ images about LUDWIG OF BAVARIA on Pinterest | Lakes, Bayern and Bavaria germany Forward The Cross in the Starnberger See indicating the spot where King Ludwig II of Bavaria drowned in 1886.

Dr.von Gudden delivered his verdict on Ludwig's mental stability and the King was removed from the throne. The next night in early evening, King Ludwig II and Gudden went for a walk by the Starnberger See. Around 11:30 that night, their bodies were found floating in waist deep water close to the shore of the Starnberger See.The cross marks the place the bodies were found. See More King Ludwig's Castles King Ludwig's Castles Home Page > Travelogues > Germany > Bayern > King Ludwig's Castles (die Kï¿½nigschloï¿½er) Subchapters in this travelogue: [ Nymphenburg ] Die Kï¿½nigschlï¿½ï¿½er -- The Legacy of King Ludwig II of Bavaria Funny thing about history... it has this incredible way of forgiving the transgressions of some of its grandest weirdos. When asked about King Ludwig II, the designer of some of Bavaria's most famous landmarks, the typical Bavarian will probably respond glowingly. But that was not always the case.

King Ludwig II was actually a pariah in his day, a paranoid man that squandered his family fortune, took the notion of 'privacy' to disturbing extremes, and died at a young age under rather mysterious circumstances. He had also turned from the dashing lad in this graphic to a rather hot-tempered, obese, and unpleasant man. But given that his castles have brought millions upon millions of Euros via the tourist industry, the Bavarians have long forgiven their once reviled king. This travelogue takes you through all of Ludwig's castles, including those he built and those he lived in. In the former category are Linderhof , the private retreat that was actually finished in his lifetime; Neuschwanstein , that argubly inspired Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom; and Herrenchiemsee , an unfinished palace on its own island in one of Germany's largest lakes. The later are Nymphenburg in Munich where Ludwig was born, and Hohenschwangau where he spent much of his youth. So, read along, then join of the millions of other visitors who flock annually to upper Bavaria to see Ludwig's castles in person. Trust me, these pictures (while awesome) don't do these magnificent structures any justice!

Linderhof -- King Ludwig's private Idaho near Oberammergau, a place where King Ludwig could be alone. Neuschwanstein -- The Famous 'Cinderella's Castle' that inspired Walt Disney's famous Magic Kingdom. Hohenschwangau -- An older castle across from Neuschwanstein where Ludwig's royal ancestry lived. Herrenchiemsee -- The island retreat on the Chiemsee, the largest lake entirely within Germany. Nymphenburg , Munich -- King Ludwig's birthplace, to the northwest of the city. This page (C) 2001-2004 Tom Galvin, with acknowledgement to Bill Hicklin who provided corrections. Subchapters in this travelogue: Day Tour to Herrenchiemsee Palace Day Tour to Herrenchiemsee Palace Day Tour to Herrenchiemsee Palace Product ID: 1779 Enjoy a calm trip across the water to the Fraueninsel and Herreninsel islands Come and see for yourself the spectacular monuments of the reign of King Ludwig II Overview An excursion from Munich to the islands of Bavaria's Chiemsee.

You will see the grand palace of King Ludwig II, a 19th-century tribute to Versailles, and enjoy the calm of the fascinating Fraueninsel, with its picturesque monastery. What to Expect On the Herreninsel, the largest island in Bavaria's largest lake, the Chiemsee, you will visit one of the most imposing sights in the whole of the state: the grandiose Herrenchiemsee Palace of King Ludwig II, the builder of Neuschwanstein. The palace was built in imitation of the Palace of Versailles build by France's Louis XIV, whom Ludwig held in the highest esteem. Afterwards, the boat will take you onwards to the lovely, car-free Fraueninsel. There you will have time for lunch and a tour of the island's fascinating sights, including the Carolingian gatehouse, one of the oldest buildings in Germany, the 2,000-year-old tree, and the Benedictine nunnery, with its famous home-made liqueur. The trip to Herrenchiemsee and the Fraueninsel will acquaint you with two of Bavaria's most beautiful and interesting spots. Come along on an excursion fit for a king!

What's Included Travel in a luxury bus Guide Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung | Neuschwanstein Castle | King Ludwig II | Biography King Ludwig II of Bavaria Short biography Born on 25th August 1845 in Schloss Nymphenburg King of Bavaria 1864–1886 Died on 13th June 1886 in Lake Starnberg Ludwig II (G. Schachinger) Even before he died, the king had already become something of a legend. "I want to remain an eternal mystery to myself and others" , Ludwig once told his governess, and it is this mysterious element that still fascinates people today. The poet Paul Verlaine called Ludwig II the "only true king of this century" . The shy dreamer, who had none of the typical characteristics of a popular king, lives on, still idolized, as "the Kini". His palaces, which were barred to strangers, have been visited by over 50 million people since his death. They are records in stone of the ideal fantasy world which the king built as a refuge from reality. His historic, poetic and ideal interpretation of his role as king was finally his downfall.

It is possible that he preferred to die rather than return to reality. Prince Ludwig Portrait of the young Ludwig (W. Tauber) The prince was born on the name day of the canonized Louis IX, King of France and founder of the House of Bourbon. His grandfather and godfather Ludwig I of Bavaria, had Louis XVI of France as his godfather. This relationship with the House of Bourbon had an important influence on the way the prince saw himself throughout his life. Ludwig and his brother Otto were strictly brought up with an emphasis on duty. Their parents Maximilian II of Bavaria and Marie of Prussia kept themselves at a distance. "Ludwig enjoyed dressing up … took pleasure in play acting, loved pictures and the like … and liked … making presents of his property, money and other possessions" , said his mother. This was not to change. His vivid imagination, his tendency to isolate himself, and his pronounced sense of sovereignty were also already evident when Ludwig was a child. King Ludwig II (F. v. Piloty) The young king In 1864 Ludwig II acceded to the throne at the age of 18 without any experience of life or politics, but adored by women.

Looking back in 1873, he described it thus: "I became king much too early. I had not learned enough. I had made such a good beginning … with the learning of state laws. Suddenly I was snatched away from my books and set on the throne. Well, I am still trying to learn …" In 1866 Ludwig II suffered the biggest defeat of his life: in1866, the expanding state of Prussia conquered Austria and Bavaria in the "German War". From then on, Bavaria's foreign policy was dictated by Prussia and the king was only a "vassal" of his Prussian uncle. Wagner Crown Prince Ludwig was already fascinated by the music dramas and writings of Richard Wagner. He wanted to bring the composer to Munich as soon as he became king, and realize his dream of an opera festival. In 1864 he summoned Wagner to him and thus rescued him from a serious financial crisis. "… Today I was brought to him.

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!" wrote the composer after his first meeting. Portrait photograph of Richard Wagner (F. Hanfstaengl) In the following years, Munich became the music capital of Europe with the premieres of "Tristan und Isolde" (1865), "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" (1868), "Das Rheingold" (1869) and "Die Walküre" (1870). Ludwig II thus continued the patronage tradition of the House of Wittelsbach in grand style. Wagner was however forced to leave Munich by the end of 1865 because of conflict with the government. Later Ludwig II also protested against the anti-Semitic sentiments expressed by his friend. He nevertheless continued with his lavish support for Wagner's work. The monumental festival theatre planned for Munich was built in a vastly simplified form in Bayreuth and inaugurated in 1876 with the cycle "Der Ring des Nibelungen".

In 1882 "Parsifal" was premiered here. Without Ludwig II's commitment, there would never have been a Bayreuth Festival. Fantasy world Ludwig II was possessed by the idea of a holy kingdom by the Grace of God. In reality he was a constitutional monarch, a head of state with rights and duties and little freedom of action. For this reason he built a fantasy world around him in which – far removed from reality – he could feel he was a real king. From 1875 on he lived at night and slept during the day. Idealized designs by scene painters for a "New Hohenschwangau Castle" high above the tranquil Hohenschwangau of Ludwig II's father, a "Byzantine Palace" and a copy of Versailles were already in existence by 1868. From the beginning, Ludwig's fantasy world embraced several different epochs. The "New Castle" (subsequently Neuschwanstein), was based on Christian kingship in the Middle Ages, and the new Versailles, built from 1878 on the Herreninsel, recalls the baroque absolutism of the Bourbon King of France.

Linderhof in the Graswangtal, built from 1869, imitates a variety of styles, with the help of the latest technology. Ludwig II on a night-time sleigh ride (R. Wenig) The latest technology was also used for the highly elaborate coaches and sleighs in which the king travelled at night, sometimes in historic costume. Ludwig spent more and more time in the mountains and correspondingly less time in Munich. His fantasy world was further maintained by "private performances" in the Hoftheater: operas and plays performed for the king alone. Grail King Ludwig II increasingly identified himself with Parzival, the legendary medieval figure who became Grail King through his purity and faith and thereby redeemed his sinladen uncle. The inner battle for freedom from sin and purity is distressingly evident in the diaries of the extremely pious king. This particular legend is the subject of Richard Wagner's last work "Parsifal", which he began in 1877. Wagner and his circle privately referred to the king as "Parsifal", and his problems were incorporated into the drama of the Grail.

Neuschwanstein, originally a monument to the minnesingers of medieval times, was reinterpreted as the Castle of the Holy Grail and the Throne Room was redesigned as the Hall of the Holy Grail – dedicated to the mystery of salvation for the world. "The recluse" The "ideal monarchical poetic solitude" which the king chose for himself was not in the long run compatible with his duties as a head of state. The new settings he was constantly devising for himself were equally beyond the private means of a king. Ludwig failed through his desire to anchor his illusions and dreams in reality. From 1885 on foreign banks threatened to seize his property. The king's refusal to react rationally led the government to declare him insane and depose him in 1886 – a procedure not provided for in the Bavarian constitution. Ludwig II was interned in Berg Palace. The next day he died in mysterious circumstances in Lake Starnberg, together with the psychiatrist who had certified him as insane. Neuschwanstein Minecraft Project Subscribe Neuschwanstein This is the famous fairytale-castle in Bavaria, Germany made by king Ludwig II and remade by me in Minecraft.

It inspired Walt Disney for his castles of the sleeping beauty in all disneyland parks. The castle is exactly 64 Blocks high, that's why you can place it as schematic on sea-level. I didn't put much inside and I didn't make the rooms yet, because I don't like interior-architecture, I like mostly to build the exterior^^ And notice, this is an own interpretation of the castle, it's not a 1:1 remake, I made it the way I like. You're allowed to use this schematic on servers or in singleplayer, but it would be very nice of you, when you give me credit. If you have any questions or critik on my castle, you can comment my work. If you want to tell me, that you like my work, give me a diamond :) I thank you very much for the interest!

Nice regards from Germany :) Arminius20 Astrology of Ludwig with horoscope chart, quotes, biography, and images Reign 10 March 1864-13 June 1886 Born 25 August 1845 Died 13 June 1886 Ludwig (Louis) II, King of Bavaria, Ludwig Friedrich Wilhelm; sometimes known in English as "Mad King Ludwig" and as the "Märchenkönig" (Fairy-tale King) in German. (August 25, 1845 – June 13, 1886) was king of Bavaria from 1864 until his death. King Ludwig II designed and built the Bavarian castle Neuschwanstein, which inspired the design of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland; he left a large collection of plans for other castles that were never built. Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria with his brother Otto in 1858Born in Nymphenburg (today part of Munich), he was the son of King Maximilian II of Bavaria and Princess Marie of Prussia.

Ludwig was continually reminded of his royal power as a child, and as a child he was extremely spoiled on some occasions but severely controlled by his instructors and subjected to a strict regimen of study and exercise on others. Ludwig apologists explain that much of his odd behaviour as an adult was caused by the stress of growing up in a royal family. Ludwig's youth did have happy times, such as visits to Hohenschwangau and Lake Starnberg with his family. Teenaged Ludwig became best friends and possibly the lover of his aide de camp, the handsome aristocrat and actor Paul Maximilian Lamoral of Thurn and Taxis of Bavaria's wealthy Thurn and Taxis family. The two young men rode together, read poetry aloud, and staged scenes from the Romantic operas of Richard Wagner. The relationship broke off when Paul became more interested in young women. During his youth, Ludwig also initiated a lifelong friendship with his cousin Duchess Elisabeth, Empress of Austria. They both loved nature and poetry, and nicknamed each other "the Eagle" (Ludwig) and "the Seagull" (Elisabeth).

Ludwig II of BavariaLudwig ascended to the Bavarian throne at age 18, following his father's death. His youth and brooding good looks made him wildly popular in Bavaria and abroad. One of his first acts was official patronage of his idol, the German opera composer Richard Wagner, despite Wagner having Europe-wide notoriety for his past political activism and radical new-style operas. Wagner's Lohengrin, with its swan knight hero and focus on medieval German romance, had captivated the young king's fantasy-filled imagination, and he even invited the radical composer to his conservative-minded royal court. The greatest stresses of Ludwig's early reign were pressure to produce an heir, and relations with militant Prussia. Both issues came to the forefront in 1867. Ludwig was engaged to Princess Sophie, his cousin and Empress Elisabeth's younger sister. Their engagement was publicized on January 22, 1867, but after repeatedly postponing the wedding date, Ludwig finally cancelled the engagement in October.

Ludwig never married, but Sophie later married Ferdinand Philippe Marie, duc d'Alençon (1844–1910), son of Louis Charles Philippe Raphael, duc de Nemours. She died several years later in a fire which destroyed the Paris Charity Bazaar. Though Ludwig had sided with Austria against Prussia in the Seven Weeks' War, he accepted a mutual defense treaty with Prussia in 1867 after being defeated in the war. Under the terms of this treaty, Bavaria joined with Prussia against France in the Franco-Prussian War. On the request of Bismarck, Ludwig solicited a letter in December 1870 calling for the creation of a German Empire. He received some concessions in return for his support, but the era of Bavarian independence was over. Throughout his reign, Ludwig had a succession of infatuations with handsome men, including his chief equerry Richard Hornig, Hungarian theatre star Josef Kainz, and courtier Alfons Weber. In 1869, he began keeping a diary in which he recorded his private thoughts and discussed his attempts to suppress his sexual desires and remain true to his Catholic beliefs.

Ludwig's original diaries were lost during World War II, and all that remains today are copies of entries made prior to the war. These copied diary entries, along with private letters and other surviving personal documents, suggest that Ludwig struggled with homosexuality.[1] As Ludwig's rule progressed, he became increasingly withdrawn. In the 1880s, Ludwig spent much of his time in seclusion in the Alps. There he built several expensive fairytale palaces with the stage designer Christian Jank, and imagined a dream world with himself as an absolute monarch descended from Louis XIV of France. [edit] His death Ludwig II of BavariaOn June 10, 1886, Ludwig was officially declared insane by the government and incapable of executing his governmental powers, and Prince Luitpold was declared regent. The psychiatrist Professor Bernhard von Gudden despite never having examined Ludwig, headed the psychiatric team that declared Ludwig to be suffering from paranoia (comparable to a modern diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia). Their chief evidence was stories of Ludwig's odd behavior, collected from palace servants by his political enemies. As many of these stories were not firsthand accounts and may have been obtained with bribery or threats, their reliability is questionable.

Some historians believe that Ludwig was sane, an innocent victim of political intrigue. Others believe he may have suffered from a substance abuse problem or neurological disorder rather than mental illness. Empress Elisabeth held that "The King was not mad; he was just an eccentric living in a world of dreams. They might have treated him more gently, and thus perhaps spared him so terrible an end." Ludwig was taken into custody in secret. The event proved as unusual as any in his life. An eccentric but loyal baroness arrived at the gate of the rural castle to wave her umbrella menacingly and to harangue the men who came to imprison Ludwig. The king himself reportedly ordered all kinds of nonsensical punishments against the "treasonous" ministers. A huge force of peasants swarmed to Hohenschwangau to protect the King. They were willing to escort Ludwig under guard across the border to save him. But Ludwig refused. The battalion of soldiers at nearby Kempten had been summoned to Neuschwanstein, but it was retained by the government.

Ludwig attempted to issue the following proclamation to the public: The Prince Luitpold intends, against my will, to ascend to the Regency of my land, and my erstwhile ministry has, through false allegations regarding the state of my health, deceived my beloved people, and is preparing to commit acts of high treason. [...] I call upon every loyal Bavarian to rally around my loyal supporters to thwart the planned treason against the King and the fatherland. This was printed by a Bamberg newspaper on June 11, 1886, but the copies were seized by the government to prevent distribution. Most of Ludwig's telegrams to the newspapers and his friends were intercepted. Ludwig did receive a message from Bismarck advising him to go to Munich and show himself to the people, but Ludwig refused to leave Neuschwanstein. On the morning of the twelfth, a second Commission reached the castle. The King was placed under arrest at 4:00 a.m. and transported to Castle Berg in Berg, south of Munich. Mystery surrounds Ludwig's death on Lake Starnberg (then called Lake Würm).

On June 13, at 6:30 p.m., Ludwig asked to take a walk with Professor Gudden. Gudden agreed, and told the guards not to follow them. The two men never returned from their walk. King Ludwig and Professor Gudden were found dead in the water near the shore of Lake Starnberg at 11:30 p.m. that night. A little chapel was later built overlooking the site. A remembrance ceremony is held there each year on June 13. Ludwig's death was officially ruled a suicide by drowning, but alternate theories abound. Ludwig was known to be a good swimmer, the water was less than waist-deep where his body was found, and the official autopsy report indicates that no water was found in his lungs. No solid proof of foul play has ever come to light, but many hold that Ludwig was either assassinated by his political enemies or killed while attempting to escape from Berg. Another theory suggests that Ludwig died of natural causes (such as a heart attack or stroke) during an escape attempt. Ludwig's body was interred in the crypt of the Michaelskirche in Munich. His heart, however, does not lie with the rest of his body.

Bavarian tradition called for the heart of the king to be placed in a silver urn and sent to the Gnadenkapelle (Chapel of the Miraculous Image) in Altötting. Ludwig's urn sits beside those of his father and grandfather inside the shrine. His legacy Ludwig is remembered as one of the most unusual rulers in German history. He was quite popular among his subjects, for three major reasons. First, he avoided engaging in war, giving Bavaria a time of peace. Whether this was due to a belief in pacifism or a lack of interest in politics is debatable. Second, Ludwig funded the construction of his famous fairy-tale castles with his personal income, not from the state budget. This gave many people employment and brought a considerable flow of money to the regions involved. Third, his public eccentricities could be very charming. He hated crowds and formal affairs, but Ludwig did not consider himself above socializing with commoners. He enjoyed traveling in the Bavarian countryside and chatting with farmers and labourers he met along the way. Ludwig also delighted in rewarding those who were hospitable to him during his travels with lavish gifts.

He is still remembered in Bavaria as "Unser Kini" which means "our darling king" in the Bavarian dialect of German. Ironically, although their construction nearly bankrupted Bavaria's royal family, Ludwig's palaces have become profitable tourist attractions for the Bavarian state. The palaces have paid for themselves many times over. ] Ludwig and the arts Ludwig II with his idol Richard Wagner, the composer of Lohengrin, at the piano An 1890s photochrom print of Neuschwanstein. The coat of arms of King Ludwig over the entrance to Neuschwanstein.Ludwig was a major patron of composer Richard Wagner, and he funded the construction of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus. Without Ludwig's support, it is almost certain that Wagner would have been unable to complete his opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen or to write his final opera, Parsifal. Ludwig also sponsored the premieres of Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and, through his financial support of the Bayreuth Festival, those of Der Ring des Nibelungen and Parsifal.

[edit] His buildings Ludwig left behind a large collection of plans and designs for other castles that were never built, as well as plans for further rooms in his completed buildings. Many of these designs are housed today in the King Ludwig II Museum at Herrenchiemsee. These building designs date from the latter part of the King's reign, beginning around 1883. As money was starting to run out, the artists knew that their designs would never be executed. The designs became more extravagant and numerous as the artists realized that there was no need to concern themselves with economy or practicality. NeuschwansteinNeuschwanstein—or "New Swan Stone", a dramatic Romanesque fortress with Byzantine and Gothic interiors, which was built next to his father's castle: Hohenschwangau. Numerous wall paintings depict scenes from Wagner's operas. Christian glory and chaste love figure predominantly in the iconography, and may have been intended to help Ludwig live up to his religious ideals. The castle was not finished at Ludwig's death. It is by far the best known (to non-Germans) landmark in Germany today. Neuschwanstein would become the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.

Linderhof—an ornate palace in neo-Rococo style, with handsome formal gardens. The grounds contain a grotto where opera singers performed on an underground lake lit with electricity, a novelty at that time, and a Romantic woodsman's hut built inside an artificial tree. Inside the palace, iconography reflects Ludwig's fascination with the absolutist government of Ancien Régime France. Ludwig saw himself as the "Moon King", a Romantic shadow of the earlier "Sun King", Louis XIV of France. From Linderhof, Ludwig enjoyed moonlit sleigh rides in an elaborate eighteenth century sleigh, complete with footmen in eighteenth century livery. He was known to stop and visit with rural peasants while on rides, adding to his legend and popularity. Herrenchiemsee—a replica of the palace at Versailles, France, which was meant to outdo its predecessor in scale and opulence. It is located on an island in the middle of the Chiemsee. Most of the palace was never completed once the king ran out of money, and Ludwig lived there for only the 10 days before his mysterious death.

Ludwig also outfitted Schachen king's house with an overwhelmingly decorative Arabian style interior, including a replica of the famous Peacock Throne. There are stories of luxurious parties with the king sometimes reclining in the role of Turkish sultan while the most handsome soldiers and stable boys served him as scantily clad dancers. These stories may or may not be true. Falkenstein—a planned, but never executed "robber baron's castle". A painting by Christian Jank shows the proposed building as an even more fairytale version of Neuschwanstein, perched on a rocky cliff. v • d • eLudwig II of Bavaria's buildings Falkenstein | Herrenchiemsee | Königshaus am Schachen | Linderhof | Neuschwanstein The Story of King Ludwig II of Bavaria Birth of a fairy tale king On August 25, 1845, the first son of Maximillian Crown Prince of Bavaria and Marie of Prussia was born in the Nymphenburg Castle outside of Munich. Although the child's royal christening medal originally read Otto Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig, King Ludwig I forced the parents to change his grandson's name.

In his opinion, renaming the child Ludwig was a fitting tribute - after all, the prince's birthday was on Saint Ludwig's day, and also fell on the same day as his grandfather's. On November 15, 1845 Ludwig I published a decree stating that the Bavarian prince’s oldest son would henceforth be called Erbprinz (inheriting prince) in order to distinguish him from the other princes of the royal house. And so, Ludwig made history for the first time at the age of three months by becoming the very first Bavarian Erbprinz. His official title would change once more when King Ludwig I resigned in March of 1848 under political pressure. His son Maximilian became King Maximillian II, and three-year-old Ludwig was officially named Bavaria's new crown prince. Childhood and youth As was common at the time, Ludwig's early upbringing fell into the hands of a governess, Miss Maria Katharina Theresia Sybille Meilhaus, and the young prince came to adore her deeply. Sybille encouraged Ludwig's imaginative mind, and he thrived under her tutelage.

She was well-respected in the small mountain community and thought to be a “…lady displaying comprehensive education, deep religiousness and a rare kind-heartedness,” according to her obituary in the Augsburg Postzeitung. Despite Ludwig's intimate bond with Sybille, a strict male educator named Count La Rosée was given charge of Ludwig's upbringing when the young dreamer was only 7 years old. As could be expected, the crown prince's interests in poetry and music were quickly smothered in an attempt to prepare him for the political and economic rigors of his future responsibilities. Although the child's sadness at this turn of events did not go unnoticed by the family, the decision remained firm. By most accounts, Ludwig was an isolated and solitary child whose only real companions were his younger brother Otto and cousins Sisi and Sophie. His favorite hobbies continued to revolve around the arts, and between 1858 and 1860 Ludwig received piano lessons three times a week. Unfortunately, the prince's passion did not translate into ability and the lessons were eventually cancelled at the delight of his frustrated piano teacher.

Ludwig's love for literature also came early in his life, and by the age of twelve he was already immersing himself into Richard Wagner’s complex prose. Lost in the words of his favorite author, perhaps Ludwig felt that his childhood dreams could actually become true through the means of art and theater. At the age of eleven, Ludwig began to receive 21 Marks of spending money per month, which he was obligated to account for in a bankbook. This document reavealed that the Crown Prince was very accurate with this task until his accession to the throne in March 1864, despite spending most of his money on presents for others (a tendency that continued throughout his life and, some say, eventually contributed to his financial troubles). Ludwig finally had his first opportunity to see Richard Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser at the age of 16, an experience that thrilled and enchanted the young man. By then, his great respect and admiration for Richard Wagner had almost become an obsession. A few years later the Crown Prince started attending Munich University, studying French, philosophy, physics, chemistry, and - to his disdain -"the art of war”.

On his 18th birthday, Ludwig was given more independence: his spending money was increased to 50 Marks monthly, and he was also assigned his own apartment in the residence. He has no idea that in less that a year he would become King. Ludwig becomes King King Maximilian II died unexpectedly on March 10, 1864 after a brief period of illness. Ludwig was devastated, but nonetheless proclaimed King on the very same day. During his ascension speech, he addressed his audience with such innocence, emotion, and cordiality that many in attendance later spoke of having been moved to tears. No later than ten days after his accession to the throne, Ludwig increased the salaries of his servants and started working with zeal to rebuild his Bavaria. Unfortunately, this vision mostly fell on deaf ears and his initial euphoria did not last very long. Instead of politics, Ludwig poured his youthful restlessness and energy into his love of architecture and the arts. Richard Wagner Having been practically infatuated with Richard Wagner's works for most of his life, Ludwig finally met the artist on May 4, 1864 in the Munich Residence.

According to the King's journal, both parties were enthralled by each other's passion for music and the meeting lasted over an hour and a half. Even though some high-ranking individuals of the court disapproved of Wagner’s influence over the King, Ludwig intensified the relationship, to the extent that he even became Wagner's devoted and generous benefactor. The war of 1866 The King's pacifist convictions were unwillingly corrupted in 1866 when war broke out between Austria and Prussia, and Ludwig had no choice but to mobilize the Bavarian Army against his stronger neighbor. The turmoil and guilt that the King felt over his implicit role in a short and brutal war cause him to sink into a deep depression, and for the first time he considered abdication, a fact that he telegraphed to Richard Wagner on May 15 of that year. Prussia eventually won the so-called Seven Weeks' war, and entered into a “Schutz- und Trutzbündnis“ (defensive and protective alliance) with Bavaria, binding Ludwig's army to the victor's - a fact that would come back to haunt him only a few years later.

Engagement In 1867, Ludwig became engaged with his cousin Sophie Charlotte, the younger sister of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. While the announcement caused much excitement in the Kingdom, the wedding day was postponed a number of times. Eventually Ludwig broke the engagement, simply saying that he did not love Sophie in the way that was required for a marital bond. The war of 1870/71 and the foundation of the Empire During the summer of 1870, the French-Prussian war began when Bismarck attempted to push back the French influence on Europe and extend his own dominance. Due to the aforementioned alliance, King Ludwig was forced once again send his troops to fight in a war that he did not believe in. The alliance with Prussia created huge political consequences for Ludwig, who was expected to offer his imperial crown to Wilhelm I of Prussia. After much debate, it was eventually agreed upon that despite the exchange of power, Bavaria would retain its King and, to a certain extent, its autonomy. Thus, Bavaria would be allowed to keep its current army, which would only fall under Prussian command in times of war.

Although humiliating, King Ludwig signed the so-called “Kaiserbrief” (Emperor’s letter), which led to the eventual proclamation of King Wilhelm I of Prussia as emperor of the united German Reich in the Hall of Mirrors of Versailles Castle. By some accounts, Ludwig found this to be such an “affront to the French nation” that he refused to participate in the festivities. Religion Historians agree that King Ludwig II was a deeply religious man. Among other proclamations of his faith, his diary entry for May 7, 1864 contained the following sentence: “I want to avoid all vices with God.” He was convinced that his royalty was a divine order of God, and deplored the Prussian Empire's bloody means to gain leadership. Some historians say that his participation in the cultural war of the seventies was only half-hearted and only went so far as he saw his own claims of power endangered by those of the church. Politics Although politics were not the favourite activity of the Bavarian King, many historians have argued that he fulfilled his royal duties efficiently and always on time, despite accusations to the contrary.

Although Ludwig spent most of his time in the mountains of Southern Bavaria, his duties remained intricately tied to the capital in Munich. The castles Many of Ludwig's biographers agree that his many castles were not built for pomposity's sake but rather as works of art that reflected his dreams and fantasies. It has been said that he chose to construct his own world because the “real world” could not satisfy him. Ludwig's projects varied greatly. While Herrenchiemsee was built as an homage to the Sun King, Marie Antoinette would have been delighted by the splendid decor of Linderhof Castle. Neuschwanstein Castle, his most well-known property and in itself a tribute to Richard Wagner's music and genius, would eventually become the symbol of the German heroic saga. Ludwig was also fascinated by advances in technology to the extent that the latest achievements such as telephones and running hot water were always used in his buildings. The King designed every detail by himself, was considered an exceptional architect, and was known to spot faulty construction immediately during his inspections. The social King It is a little-known fact that Ludwig II was a pioneer of current models of social security.

During construction of Neuschwanstein Castle he created a union to support ill workers, where in case of illness a union member would receive one Mark per day, an unheard-of benefit at that time. In the case of death, the union would take over the cost of the family's burden and arrange church services. Amazingly, this union still exists today. The dream of flying In 1872, Ludwig II toyed with the idea of having a flying machine built, which he hoped to one day fly over Lake Alpsee and Lake Schwansee. He even assigned this task to a number of people although it was technically impossible at the time. Sadly, this was one of the most incriminating arguments brought forth in the psychiatric report that eventually led to the King's arrest and removal from power. Incapacitation The removal of King Ludwig II from his throne in June of 1886 was due to a psychiatric report released by the then highly-renowned psychiatrist Dr. von Gudden. Because he declared the King to be paranoid and unable to fulfill his duties, Ludwig was arrested and the regency was taken over by Prince Luitpold, Ludwig’s uncle.

Although the report was based on statements by people from the King’s immediate surroundings, historians argue that these were manipulated to make his positive and normal behaviour completely unnoticed. The fact that the King was simply eccentric never entered the debate. In fact, there was no debate, and not one of the four doctors who officially signed the report had ever examined Ludwig or even talked to him. To this day, the "objective" report remains the subject of much controversy with historians and medical professionals alike. Many theories have been brought forth to explain the actions of Ludwig's government in 1886. Interestingly, Professor Heinz Häfner from Heidelberg’s Academy of Science (Akademie der Wissenschaften) has even argued that the King was in no way "mad" or "paranoid", but that his problems resulted from a “non substance related dependency”, namely the addiction to construction! Häfner compared this to the behaviour of someone addicted to gambling. Death On June 13, 1886, Bavaria’s "Fairy-Tale King" was found dead in Lake Starnberg.

While the actual cause of his death is still shrouded in uncertainty, the "official" explanation for the last 119 years has been suicide. Despite this, a growing number of researchers are supporting the explosive theory that Ludwig was murdered for political reasons.

Question: What German kingdom was ruled by Ludwig II, builder of the famous Neuschwanstein castle?
Answer: Bavaria