Ludwig II went down in the history books as the fairy-tale king. He ascended the throne in 1864, at the age of only 18, and was, from then on, to guide the fortunes of Bavaria, which was a kingdom until 1918.
Bavarian Castles of Fairytale King Ludwig II
Welcome to the fascinating dream worlds of King Ludwig II of Bavaria! Since July 2025, the magnificent royal castles of Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Herrenchiemsee and the King's House at Schachen have officially been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These architectural masterpieces, built by Ludwig II, known as the ‘Fairy Tale King’, in the second half of the 19th century, were not representative state residences, but unique, staged architectural experiences for his personal enjoyment of art and retreat. They reflect his poetic imagination and, as places of longing, still captivate visitors from all over the world today.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle, built by King Ludwig II from 1869 onwards and never completed, is considered the epitome of a fairytale castle and is one of the most famous historicist buildings in the world. Spectacularly situated against the backdrop of the Ammergebirge mountains above the town of Füssen in the Allgäu, it was inspired by Richard Wagner's operas and medieval legends, which Ludwig brought to life here in an artificial dream world.
The magnificent interiors, including the Singers' Hall and an artificial grotto with electric lighting, bear witness to the king's unique artistic vision. Since 12 July 2025, Neuschwanstein Castle, together with other royal castles, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
neuschwanstein.de
Story Tip: Neuschwanstein Castle: Behind the Scenes of a Restoration
Linderhof Palace
As Crown Prince, Ludwig II used to stay in a forest lodge in the Ammergau Alps when hunting with his father. A long period of building and renovation began in 1869 and resulted in the Linderhof Palace, the second most popular castle in Bavaria. It is the only palace that the King was able to complete, and it is one of the most diverse and artistic ensembles of the 19th century.
The ‘Royal Villa’ is strongly inspired by French Rococo, but surpasses its models with its opulence and outstanding craftsmanship. The extensive park contains a unique mixture of different world views, including oriental buildings such as the Moorish Kiosk and the futuristic Venus Grotto with coloured lighting and a waterfall. The power for the electricity comes from a Siemens dynamo in a special machine house - considered one of the first power plants in Bavaria.
schlosslinderhof.de
Herrenchiemsee New Palace
On Herreninsel island in Lake Chiemsee, King Ludwig II began construction of the New Palace of Herrenchiemsee in 1878 as a monumental replica of the Palace of Versailles, designed as a ‘temple of fame’ for the French ‘Sun King’ Ludwig XIV. This enormous, yet unfinished building is characterised by its incomparably opulent furnishings, which are unrivalled in terms of the abundance and quality of 19th-century porcelain and textile art.
The secluded location on the island allowed Ludwig II to immerse himself undisturbed in the world of Bourbon royalty and realise his idealised notions of rule. Highlight rooms: State Staircase, State Bedroom and Great Hall of Mirrors (two metres longer than the one in Versailles!). A museum about King Ludwig II has been installed in the south wing.
herrenchiemsee.de
Story Tip: Behind the scenes at Herrenchiemsee Palace
King's House on Schachen
The King's House on Schachen, located at an altitude of 1,866 metres in the Wetterstein Mountains, is a unique mountain lodge that King Ludwig II had built in 1869 so that he could enjoy the high mountains in complete comfort. The two-storey house can only be reached after a climb of several hours on foot.
While the exterior and the five living rooms on the ground floor correspond to the ‘Swiss chalet’ style, the upper floor surprises with the magnificent Turkish Hall, a faithful replica of a historic hall from a palace in Eyüp. Here, the ‘fairy-tale king’ celebrated his birthday every year and created a fascinating illusion of foreign worlds in the middle of the Alps.
schloesser.bayern.de
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