Ludwig II: the enigmatic king of castles
"I wish to remain an eternal enigma to myself and to others": said King Ludwig II who, faithful to his words, still today is one of Bavaria's most controversial sons. A patron and a decadent myth, King Ludwig II of Bavaria was loved by the people and opposed by his own ministers, who did not consider him fit to govern and declared him mad. No very interested in political events, he exhausted the state coffers and left Bavaria with a precious inheritance by building extravagant and majestic buildings, the most significant being Neuschwanstein Castle, which to this day is still capable of enchanting tourists from all over the world. He lived from 1845 to 1886, but his fame will last forever.
Honour one of the last German rulers with a trip to Munich: leave now with Air Dolomiti for a comfortable and convenient tour of Ludwig's castles.
Ludwig II and Wagner: the Bayreuth theatre and the Bavarian castles
A promoter of knowledge and very popular among his subordinates, Ludwig II had a particular predilection for Wagner: he helped the composer pay off his huge debts, invited him to the royal court and built the Bayreuth Festspielhaus for him. According to the intentions of Ludwig of Bavaria, the majestic theatre should have been built in Munich, on the Isar River, however the location was opposed by the council of ministers. A monument to the king now stands between Parliament and the Friedensengel, in the Bavarian capital, while Bayreuth has hosted the most famous German music festival since 1876, still today dedicated to Wagner's works. In addition to the theatre, the areas around Munich also offer visitors a not to be missed tour of "Ludwig's Castles", called this because they were strongly desired by the king.
- Neuschwanstein Castle: it is the fairy-tale castle that inspired Walt Disney and a must-see destination for dreamers from all over the world. Lavish and magnificent, it is located in Füssen, about 100 km from Munich. It can be reached by car or by train + bus from the Bavarian capital. Not far away stands Hohenshwangau Castle, where the future sovereign spent a childhood marked by romanticism.
- Linderhof Castle, Ludwig's favourite retreat. Intended as an intimate and private residence, it offers luxurious atmospheres that leave visitors speechless. The distinguishing features are the scenes from Wagner's operas represented in the famous Venusgrotte (Venus' cave). This too is located in Northern Bavaria, on the border with Austria.
- Herrenchiemsee: the Bavarian "Versailles" sits on an island in Lake Chiemsee and is the result of the fascination that King Ludwig II had towards the Sun King and France. It can be reached in 1 hour by car from Munich or by public transport: from Prien you need to take the ferry.
Go to Munich now and discover the Bavaria of your dreams with Air Dolomiti’s direct flights!
