The Venus Grotto

If any one building shows the lengths that Ludwig went to create a world of make-believe, it must surely be the Grotto in Linderhof's Park. It was built by the landscape sculpture A. Dirigl between 1876 and 1877. Artificial rocks and stalactites were created from cement covered canvas being draped over an iron framework. Twenty-four dynamos formed Bavaria's first power station which produced electricity for the lighting whose colour could be altered to suit the King's mood. It was intended to reproduce the interior of the 'Hörselberg', the setting of Act 1 of Wagner's Tannhäuser. The painted backdrop depicts this scene.

Features in the grotto include an artificial lake complete with waterfall; a shell boat that Ludwig was rowed around in by a servant; and the 'Loreley cliff', which sparkled with crystals, supporting a carved-rock throne where Ludwig could overlook his dream-world.

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