Ludwig's Castles and the Konigssee

 A must see 

All of present-day Germany thanks the "Mad King". Ludwig II was King of Bavaria from 1864 to 1886 until his death. Ludwig ascended to the throne in 1864 at the age of 18 but withdrew from day-to-day affairs of state in favor of extravagant artistic and architectural projects. He commissioned the construction of lavish palaces: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, and Herrenchiemsee. Ludwig spent all his own private royal revenues (although not state funds as is commonly thought) on these projects, borrowed extensively, and defied all attempts by his ministers to restrain him. This extravagance was used against him to declare him insane, an accusation that has since come under scrutiny. Ludwig was taken into custody and effectively deposed on 12 June 1886, and he and his doctor were found dead on the following day. His death was ruled to be a suicide, a decision that has since been disputed. Today, his architectural and artistic legacy includes many of Bavaria's most important tourist attractions. Again, thank you Ludwig. 

Hohenschwangau Castle was the summer residence for King Maximillan of Bavaria, his wife Marie of Prussia and their two sons, Ludwig and Otto. When the King died in 1864, Ludwig took up residence in his childhood home where he oversaw the construction of his own castle Neuschwanstein just across the way. The Castle is home to many elaborately painted rooms and the hall of Swan-Knight is no exception. This room depicts scenes from both legends and poetry. 

If you are going to visit castles why not stay in one. I can highly recommend Bonnschlossl. It's a perfect location in southern Germany to reach all of the castles. The owners, Reinhard and Silvia, are most gracious and Reinhard seems to be everywhere: managing the beautiful grounds and seeing that breakfast is ready when you are. The breakfast is plentiful and highlights local cuisine. Also, the rooms are spacious with wonderful views and very affordable. If you get a chance, go to Ater-Wirt, a charming restaurant for a cold beer and some local treats that is just down the street.

Neuschwanstein Castle, or the Fairy-Tale Castle, is the most recognizable and the most visited castle in the world. Disney's Cinderella Castle, was molded after it. The Castle is stunning inside and out. It is anticipated it will become a UNESCO World Heritage site in2025. The Romanesque designs were drawn by scene painter Christian Jank, and these were translated into architectural plans by Edward Reidel. The foundation stone for Neuschwanstein was laid in September 1869. Although Ludwick expected the entire project to be completed within three years, only the gateway building was inhabitable by 1873. He had lived there, off and on, only some six months in total. Several weeks after his death, the unfinished castle was opened to the public as a museum. Simplified versions of the castle’s bower and square tower were not completed until 1892, and only about a dozen rooms were ever finished. The rooms that were finished however, are spectacular. So much gold leaf. so many paintings, so much opulence. It was a technological wonder: Neuschwanstein is equipped with running water throughout, including flush toilets and hot water in the kitchen and baths, and has a forced-air central heating system. The dining room is serviced by an elevator from the kitchen three stories below. 

Linderhof Palace is probably my least favorite of the Ludwick's castles, that said, it's still worth a visit. The castle in southwest Germany near the village of Ettal is the smallest of the three palaces built by Ludwig. It's the only one which was actually completed and that he lived in most of the time from 1876. Louis XIV (the Sun King), along with Wagner, were idols of Ludwig and much of the architecture of Linderhof reflects that inspiration. The symbol of the sun that can be found everywhere in the decoration of the rooms represents the French notion of absolutism that, for Ludwig, was the perfect incorporation of his ideal of a God-given monarchy with total royal power. Such a monarchy could no longer be realized in Europe in the second half of the nineteenth century.

Herrenchiemsee is a complex of royal buildings on Herreninsel, the largest island in the Chimsee lake, in southern Bavaria. The island, formerly the site of an Augustinian monastery, was purchased by Ludwig in 1873. The king had the premises converted into a residence, known as the Old Palace. From 1878 onwards, he had the New Herrenchiemsee Palace erected, based on the model of Versailles. It was the largest, but also the last of his building projects, and remained incomplete. The grounds are extensive and the boat ride to the island is certainly scenic.

While in the area, I would strongly suggest spending a half day at the Konigssee (the King's Lake). A boat ride along the sheer rock faces of Lake Königssee, the jewel among Berchtesgaden lakes, makes for a special experience - rent a paddleboat and enjoy the National Park's nature in peace and quiet, away from the commercial boat traffic. Lake Königssee with its emerald green color and nestled at the foot of the imposing eastern wall of Mount Watzmann in the heart of the Berchtesgaden National Park is one of nature's true masterpieces. The greatest luxury in these fast-paced times is silence. As soon as you board one of the attractive electric passenger boats all the noise, hustle and bustle is left behind. During the crossing to St. Bartholomew the boatman plays his trumpet to lure out the world-famous Königssee echo from the steep rock face. In St. Bartholomew the lovely pilgrimage church is world-renowned for its wine-red onion domes. This something unique to Germany and well worth the effort. My favorites time to go is in the summer. Lots of lowers and beer gardens! We thoroughly enjoyed it.