Ludwig II of Bavaria and His Castles: A Guide to Bavaria’s Fairytale King
This post is for travelers planning a trip to Bavaria who want to understand the fascinating story behind Neuschwanstein and Ludwig II’s other castles before they visit.
Neuschwanstein is a highlight of Germany for many of my guests. However, few know much about the life of Ludwig and the ideas behind the castles. In my opinion, you should not visit Bavaria without seeing one of the castles or palaces of the ‘fairytale’ King. While in Bavaria, there are many opportunities to touch his life, but it is the palaces and castles that capture the imagination.
A quick note on planning: Ticket prices and opening hours are mentioned to help you budget and plan, but they can change often. I always recommend checking the official castle websites (which I’ll link to) for the most current information before your visit.
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Ludwig II: The Reluctant King
Born in Nymphenburg Palace, Munich, on the 25th of August 1845, Ludwig II became King of Bavaria at the age of 18, when his father died unexpectedly after a short illness. It was a shock and, to me, it seems as if he was unprepared for this high office at such a young age. At the time, Ludwig’s mother was worried that her very introverted, creative son would have difficulties with the daily life of the court.
Ludwig’s solution was to keep the status quo. He kept his father’s ministers, who in turn followed the policies of Ludwig’s father, Maximilian II. Not liking crowds and large social events, he preferred a solitary life following his interests in art, music, and architecture.
Ludwig spent much of his time away from Munich, preferring to travel through the country talking to farmers and workers on the way, often giving generous gifts to those that showed him kindness in his ventures. This made him quite popular with the people of Bavaria, but this became the root of difficulties with the government in Munich.
In 1866, Bavaria supported Austria in the Austro-Prussian War and lost. Under pressure from Bismarck, in 1870, Bavaria became part of the German Empire, in part due to a letter penned by Ludwig in support. While Ludwig regretted Bavaria’s loss of independence, this did mean that he could focus more on his own projects.
Interested in the theatre and a fan of the work of Richard Wagner, Ludwig happily supported both with lavish patronage. However, he is probably most famous today for his palaces: Linderhof, Herrenchiemsee, and the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein.
Ludwig’s Vision: Art, Architecture, and the Sun King
From Ludwig’s letters and writings, it is apparent he saw a connection between the way art, architecture and music were a part of French culture and the construction of the palaces and castles of the time. In particular, he was inspired by the court of Louis XIV, the ‘Sun King’. Having visited the Sun King’s palace at Versailles in 1867, it became his dream to do the same in Bavaria. In essence, Ludwig felt that by building beautiful palaces he would make art and culture a part of Bavaria.
On the 5th of September 1869, Ludwig oversaw the laying of the foundation stone of ‘New Hohenschwangau’ that was to become known as Neuschwanstein Castle after his death. Ludwig knew the area well, as he had spent a large part of his young life in the nearby castle of Hohenschwangau, the family’s summer residence. There are, in fact, sketches of the ruins that stood on the site of Neuschwanstein in Ludwig’s diaries of the time. At the same time, in Linderhof, Ludwig set about extending the existing ‘Königshäuschen’ (loosely translated as the king’s little house) as Neuschwanstein would take many years to finish.
Neuschwanstein Castle: Ludwig’s Dream Palace
Inspired by a visit to Wartburg Castle in Germany and the Château de Pierrefonds in France, Ludwig set about designing his dream palace. Neuschwanstein was to be his escape and a homage to Richard Wagner.
Ludwig commissioned the architect Eduard Riedel to give form to the original drafts of Christian Jank, a stage designer. Although he was not a trained architect, Ludwig oversaw every detail of the construction, making it truly his own work.
Building the Dream (1868-1886)
Site preparation began in 1868, with the foundation stone officially laid on September 5th, 1869. After the ruins of an earlier castle were taken down and removed, construction began in earnest. Employing over 200 workers and artists, the site became the major employer in the area for the next 20 or so years.
It often surprises people to hear that relatively modern construction techniques were used in the building of Neuschwanstein. A modern building style using brick, later faced with rock, was moved into place using cranes, including a steam crane.
Although by 1884 the King was able to move into a part of the castle and famously invited his mother, Marie, to visit, Neuschwanstein was never truly finished. It was her visit that is said to have inspired the King to remove the wooden bridge overlooking the castle and replace it with an iron structure. The Marienbrücke is a famous picture spot above the castle today.
By his death in 1886, Ludwig had spent approximately 6.2 million Gold Marks on the construction. However, the castle was not completed, and so the royal family, Wittelsbach, stepped in and finished the remaining work in a simplified state, financed largely through the income generated by the visiting public. By 1914, the castle was estimated to be the single largest source of income of the royal family.
Touring Neuschwanstein: What You’ll See Inside
Visiting the castle can be a little surprising. The building is huge. If it had been finished, there would have been 200 rooms. However, only about 15 rooms and corridors were finished. But do not let this put you off—those rooms are astonishing.
Highlights of the interior tour:
- Hall of Singers: Taking inspiration from the Wartburg and decorated with scenes from Lohengrin and Parsifal, this was one of King Ludwig’s favorite projects. Although there is a stage, the room was never meant to be used for performances but more as a reminder of courtly love and chivalry.
- Throne Room: Inspired by the Munich Residenz Allerheiligen church, the Throne Room consists of an apse designed to hold the throne dais, surrounded on the remaining three sides by arcades. The room was to mix images of the Grail Hall in Parsifal with royal symbols of divine right.
- The King’s Bedroom: This is where Ludwig spent his final night of freedom before his arrest.
Practical details for visiting:
- Tours are guided only and take approximately 30-35 minutes
- Tickets must be booked in advance, especially during summer months
- The walk from the ticket center to the castle takes about 30-40 minutes uphill (horse carriages and shuttle buses available)
- For current ticket prices and booking, visit the official Neuschwanstein Castle website
The King’s Arrest
In what had been chaotic events on the 10th of June 1886, Ludwig was warned of a delegation’s arrival to arrest him. To stop this, he ordered the local police to protect him. The police held the delegation for several hours before releasing them. In frantic efforts, he made plans to escape. However, it was too late. In the King’s bedroom on the night of the 11th of June 1886, Ludwig was arrested after an almost two-day standoff with the government commission sent to arrest him. The King had only spent 11 nights in the castle before his arrest.
After his arrest the King was brought to Berg Castle at Lake Starnberg and placed under the supervision of Dr. Gudden, a respected psychiatrist of the time. In the late afternoon of the 13th of June 1886, Ludwig and Gudden went for a walk along the lake. When they did not return, a search was started and both were found dead in the lake at 10:30 PM.
The death of Ludwig was officially declared a suicide and it is unclear if Dr. Gudden was murdered. However, in the days and years following the death, many questions were raised. To date the questions and rumors surrounding the death of Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, and his doctor remain unanswered.
Linderhof Palace: My Personal Favorite
While Neuschwanstein is a must see, a true jewel in the landscape of the Bavarian Alps, my favorite palace related to King Ludwig II has to be Linderhof. It often surprises the many people that I bring to see stunning Neuschwanstein each year that I, in some ways, prefer Linderhof Palace.
Linderhof is the one palace that was finished. It is the only one where the King lived for a longer period, and the local guides can bring his strange day-to-day existence and idiosyncrasies to life. For those of you that are interested in his life and how he lived, Linderhof has more to offer.
Named after the Linder family farm that had originally stood in its place, King Ludwig inherited the small ‘Königshäuschen’ on the death of his father. In 1869, he set about enlarging and decorating the house. At first, he created a set of extensions to the house, but in 1874 he had the original farmhouse removed and rebuilt in another section of the gardens, preferring to balance the palace symmetrically. In the 23-year building process, he had the building clad in stone and decorated in the Rococo style inspired by Versailles Palace.
The Gardens and Grottos
The gardens of the palace are another work of art. The 125 acres move from formal gardens around the palace and meld into the natural alpine scenery. It is hard to tell where the gardens finish and nature begins.
Exploring the gardens, you can come across several structures, including the Venusgrotto in which Ludwig was rowed over an artificial mini lake, a personal blue grotto, as well as finding the Moorish grotto, an exhibit from the 1867 International Exhibition in Paris, which Ludwig bought from the rail magnate Bethel Henry Strousberg.
Practical details for visiting:
- Plan at least 2-3 hours to tour both palace and gardens
- The palace tour is guided and takes about 25 minutes
- Allow extra time to explore the grottos and park
- For current opening hours and tickets, visit the official Linderhof Palace website
Herrenchiemsee Palace: Bavaria’s Versailles
The final of Ludwig’s three large building projects, Herrenchiemsee Palace, was begun as the construction in Linderhof came to an end. The site chosen for the palace was an old Augustinian monastery situated on an island in the largest lake in Bavaria. Whereas Linderhof could be seen as a mini Versailles, in some ways Herrenchiemsee is the larger version. In fact, to the casual observer, the palace is a copy of Versailles palace.
In fact, Ludwig took the greatest elements of Versailles and put them together with more modern elements. The aim was to create a homage to his namesake, Louis XIV, a fact reflected in the frescoes celebrating the life of the Sun King.
Is Herrenchiemsee Worth Visiting?
The palace is probably the least visited of all of the palaces related to Ludwig II. I am often asked if it is worth visiting, and in all honesty, this one is a hard one.
On the one hand, in my opinion, the other two palaces are of greater interest to visitors. Neuschwanstein impresses in its splendor, and beautiful Linderhof illuminates the life of Ludwig II. Many of my guests find the unfinished sections of Herrenchiemsee haunting rather than inspiring, especially when compared to the completed glory of the Hall of Mirrors.
On the other hand, if you have an extra day in Munich and have seen everything else, Herrenchiemsee is worth a visit. If you do make the trip, make sure to visit the nearby Fraueninsel (also called Frauenchiemsee), a charming island with a Benedictine monastery.
Practical details for visiting:
- Accessible only by boat from Prien am Chiemsee or Gstadt
- Plan for a full half-day excursion from Munich
- For current ferry schedules and palace hours, visit the official Herrenchiemsee Palace website
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of King Ludwig’s castles is the best to visit?
For first-time visitors, I recommend Neuschwanstein for its fairytale architecture and dramatic setting. However, if you’re interested in Ludwig’s personal life and want to see a completed palace, Linderhof offers a more intimate experience. Herrenchiemsee is best saved for those with extra time who want to see Ludwig’s grand homage to Versailles.
How did King Ludwig II die?
Ludwig II died on June 13, 1886, at Lake Starnberg under mysterious circumstances. His death was officially ruled a suicide, but many questions remain unanswered. Both Ludwig and his psychiatrist Dr. Gudden were found dead in the lake, and the exact events of that evening have been debated by historians ever since.
Do I need to book Neuschwanstein Castle tickets in advance?
Yes, absolutely. Neuschwanstein is one of Germany’s most visited attractions, and tickets often sell out weeks in advance during peak season (May-September). You must book timed entry tickets through the official website. Walk-up tickets are very limited and not recommended.
How far is Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich?
Neuschwanstein is approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Munich, near the town of Füssen. The drive takes about 1.5-2 hours, or you can take the train to Füssen (about 2 hours) followed by a bus to the castle area.
Can I visit all three castles in one day?
No, I don’t recommend trying to visit all three in a single day. Neuschwanstein and Linderhof can be combined in a long day if you start early, as they’re relatively close to each other. Herrenchiemsee requires a separate day trip due to its island location and ferry schedule.
What’s the best time of year to visit Ludwig’s castles?
Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) offer the best combination of good weather and manageable crowds. Summer is beautiful but very crowded. Winter visits can be magical with snow, but some grottos and garden features may be closed. For more seasonal planning advice, check out my guide to Central Europe’s Seasonal Calendar: Best Times to Visit.
Planning Your Visit to Bavaria’s Royal Castles
Ludwig II’s castles represent one of the most fascinating chapters in Bavarian history. Whether you’re drawn to the dramatic spires of Neuschwanstein, the intimate beauty of Linderhof, or the grand ambition of Herrenchiemsee, each palace offers a window into the mind of Bavaria’s enigmatic fairytale king.
For more practical advice on planning your Bavarian adventure, explore my Guided Tours vs Independent Travel: A Tour Director’s Honest Perspective and my realistic budget guide for Central Europe to help you prepare for this unforgettable journey.
The castles of Ludwig II aren’t just tourist attractions—they’re portals into a world where art, music, and architecture merged to create something truly extraordinary. I hope you’ll have the chance to experience them for yourself.
