E24: Schloss Linderhof 5th May

Schloss Linderhof was King Ludwig II’s smallest but most sumptuous palace, and the only one that he lived to see fully completed.  He idolised the French Kings, particularly Louis XIV and the palace and grounds are heavily influenced by Versailles.  We did take a tour of the palace interior which is probably one of the most extravagent and ornately decorated that we have ever seen (and a monument to Ludwig’s excess’s) however cameras were not allowed….

The gardens continue the Versailles theme and were created by the famous court gardener, Carl von Effner….

This artificial waterfall at the back of the palace was used to cool Ludwig’s bedroom during the hot summers….

 

He certainly liked to use 22 and 24 carat gold both inside and out….

 

As you may know, Ludwig was eccentric to say the least and he indulged himself in many fantasies including this artificial cave, the Venus Grotto complete with plaster stalactites and stalagmites and a gold Conch boat inspired by a stage set for Wagner’s Tannhauser

He also had a taste for the oriental including the Moorish Kiosk and other ‘playhouses’ dotted around the parklands….

Inside the Moorish Kiosk Ludwig dressed in Oriental garb would preside over entertainment from his Peacock Throne!! ….

 

 

 

Note:  to see inside the palace it might be possible to find photographs on the internet.  Also, if you visit the palace you can walk around the main buildings and parklands for free (a ticket at €8.50 is required only for entry to the palace interior)

King Ludwig’s lavish projects were his undoing and he was on the verge of personal bankruptcy when in January 1886 several ministers and relatives arranged a hasty psychiatric test that diagnosed him as mentally unfit to rule.  In June 1886 the dejected bachelor and his doctor were found drowned in Lake Starnberg in just a few feet of water, retrospectively it all appears very suspicious as there were no witness’s nor any criminal investigation, and reports and documents were tampered with or destroyed….