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| The most illustrious and controversial of the Bavarian kings
was Ludwig II, born onAug. 25. 1845. He became king at the age of eighteen and was fascinated with the Bourbons of the 17th and 18th century, especially Louis XIV., Louis XV. and XVI. of France. He emulated their style of opulent architecture, such as the Palace of Versailles, in trying to have three castles built at the same time, Neuschwanstein,(later the inspiration to Walt Disney's Magic Castle), Herrenchiemsee and Castle Linderhof, the latter being the only one completed during his lifetime (1878),and in which he actually spent some of his time. He was an introvert who avoided people whenever he could in his later years, neglecting his official duties and who went to great length to assure his privacy, which is reflected in his designs of the castles, especially Linderhof. Although he financed the constructions from his own personal funds, his extravagances caused the Bavarian Government and the Wittelsbach family to have him dethroned, declared insane and held on an island in Lake Starnberg, where he and his personal physician, Dr. Gudden, died a few days later under misterious circumstances on June 13. 1886, when their bodies were found in the lake after an evening walk. |
  
Please clk. on images below to see enlargements. 
Hall of Mirrors 100m (329ft) long- 33 ft. longer than Hall of Mirrors in Versailles.  |