Bavarian Monarch. Ludwig II was a member of the Wittelsbach dynasty, and became king of Bavaria at the early age of 18 after the sudden death of his father Maximilian II. Unprepared to reign and disillusioned after a lost war against Prussia, Ludwig soon lost all interest in politics and became increasingly eccentric. Loving art and music, Ludwig found his vocation in helping to further it. The same year he was made king in 1864, he sent for composer Richard Wagner, whose music he admired greatly, and agreed to build a theater for him. At stupendous expense, he built three castles: Linderhof, Neuschwanstein and Herrenchiemsee. He appeared to be in a competition for building the most beautiful castle in Europe. Linderhof, the only castle to be completed, was the king's favorite. Louis XIV of France became Ludwig's inspiration. But his extravagance and spending sprees soon began to stir opposition. Adding to that, his urge for loneliness and late-night carriage rides caused the already worried Bavarian government to suspect Ludwig's insanity. In 1886, Ludwig was certified insane by his long-time physician Professor von Gudden . At this point, the king was taken from Neuschwanstein to Castle Berg. A few days later, on June 13th, he went for a walk around Lake Starnberg with Professor von Gudden, yet he never returned. A couple of hours later, he was found floating face down in knee-deep water, the dead body of the doctor next to him. Up to this day it is uncertain whether Ludwig's death was a murder-suicide, assassination or accident. His death certificated stated "suicide by drowning." His great legacy lives on and the contribution he made to Bavaria's culture will never be forgotten. He is interred in the crypt of the church of St. Michael in the heart of Munich. An iron cross marks the spot in Lake Starnberg where he was found.
Bavarian Monarch. Ludwig II was a member of the Wittelsbach dynasty, and became king of Bavaria at the early age of 18 after the sudden death of his father Maximilian II. Unprepared to reign and disillusioned after a lost war against Prussia, Ludwig soon lost all interest in politics and became increasingly eccentric. Loving art and music, Ludwig found his vocation in helping to further it. The same year he was made king in 1864, he sent for composer Richard Wagner, whose music he admired greatly, and agreed to build a theater for him. At stupendous expense, he built three castles: Linderhof, Neuschwanstein and Herrenchiemsee. He appeared to be in a competition for building the most beautiful castle in Europe. Linderhof, the only castle to be completed, was the king's favorite. Louis XIV of France became Ludwig's inspiration. But his extravagance and spending sprees soon began to stir opposition. Adding to that, his urge for loneliness and late-night carriage rides caused the already worried Bavarian government to suspect Ludwig's insanity. In 1886, Ludwig was certified insane by his long-time physician Professor von Gudden . At this point, the king was taken from Neuschwanstein to Castle Berg. A few days later, on June 13th, he went for a walk around Lake Starnberg with Professor von Gudden, yet he never returned. A couple of hours later, he was found floating face down in knee-deep water, the dead body of the doctor next to him. Up to this day it is uncertain whether Ludwig's death was a murder-suicide, assassination or accident. His death certificated stated "suicide by drowning." His great legacy lives on and the contribution he made to Bavaria's culture will never be forgotten. He is interred in the crypt of the church of St. Michael in the heart of Munich. An iron cross marks the spot in Lake Starnberg where he was found.
Bio by: Stephanie
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