Ludwig II of Bavaria
Ludwig Friedrich Wilhelm von Wittelsbach or Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as Ludwig the Mad (August 25, 1845 - June 13, 1886) was king of Bavaria from 1864 to 1886.
Born in Nymphenburg palace, near Munich, he was the son of Maximilian II of Bavaria and Princess Marie of Prussia. Ludwig ascended to the Bavarian throne at age 18 following his father's death. He was by all accounts strange to begin with, and as his rule progressed, he became even more antisocial and withdrew into seclusion in the Alps most of the time, where he built several expensive fairytale castles. The most famous, Neue Burg Hohenschwangau (now known as Neuschwanstein), was not completed until years after his death, and is now a popular tourist attraction.
Ludwig was engaged to Princess Sophie of Bavaria who was his cousin and sister of Elisabeth of Austria ("Sissi"). Their engagement was publicized on January 22, 1867, but after after having repeatedly postponed the wedding date, he finally canceled it in October. Sophie later married Ferdinand Philippe Marie, duc d'Alençon (1844-1910), son of Louis Charles Philippe Raphael, duc de Nemours.
Mystery surrounds his death by drowning in Lake Starnberg in Berg, south of Munich. A little chapel was later built near the site of his drowning. A remembrance ceremony is held there each year on the day of his death.
Ludwig was a major patron of composer Richard Wagner, and he funded the construction of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus.
The 1972 movie Ludwig, directed by Luchino Visconti was based on hos life.
Castles include:
- Herrenchiemsee
- Linderhof palace
- Neuschwanstein castle, built next to his father's castle: Hohenschwangau castle.
- Schachen king's house
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