In Memoriam

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:22 am

In 1886 on this date, King Ludwig II of Bavaria drowned in Lake Starnberg.

RebLem · Post by **RebLem** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:52 am

How did it happen? Did those robes get soaked and just drag him down?

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:43 am

Yes, I noticed tears in everybody's eyes here.

miranda · Post by **miranda** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:44 am

My dad, who is German, used to have a book of the history of King Ludwig, and it contained many, many pictures of the interiors of his castles. As a child, I remember poring over the photographs in fascination--I remember one picture vividly, of a domed blue ceiling scattered with golden stars; alas, I forget which castle it was in. But Schloss Neuschwanstein and Schloss Hohenschwangau are definitely on my list of places to visit.

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:46 am

miranda wrote:My dad, who is German, used to have a book of the history of King Ludwig, and it contained many, many pictures of the interiors of his castles. As a child, I remember poring over the photographs in fascination--I remember one picture vividly, of a domed blue ceiling scattered with golden stars; alas, I forget which castle it was in. But Schloss Neuschwanstein and Schloss Hohenschwangau are definitely on my list of places to visit.

I haven't been yet. Guess I'd better hurry up before the US pulls out entirely.

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:19 pm

RebLem wrote:How did it happen? Did those robes get soaked and just drag him down?

The Bavarian officials wanted to turn the castles into tourist attractions, but he objected and frustrated them. Then one day, voila! He's found floating in the lake. Good timing, don't you think?

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:20 pm

RebLem wrote:How did it happen?

Weighted down by a boatload of Wagnerrhoid piffle

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:24 pm

miranda wrote:My dad, who is German, used to have a book of the history of King Ludwig, and it contained many, many pictures of the interiors of his castles. As a child, I remember poring over the photographs in fascination--I remember one picture vividly, of a domed blue ceiling scattered with golden stars; alas, I forget which castle it was in. But Schloss Neuschwanstein and Schloss Hohenschwangau are definitely on my list of places to visit.

Miranda, it's the throne room in Neuschwanstein.

After glancing around the room, I gravitated to the windows to see what he would have seen. It looked like one of the Limbourg Brothers' panoramic views of checkered fields set against the lowering clouds and the dramatic lake. All that was missing were the patient pesants working the grain and grooming the lawns. I preferred the window view.

I didn't bother with Hohenschwangau - you seen one you seen 'em all - and went tramping around the grounds and the lake. Got some fantastic shots of swans or geese on the lake, which was especially impressive in the fog and low-lying clouds. I half expected Lohengrin's entourage to sail around a jetty of land in the distance.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:46 pm

My favorite memory of this good king was when he sat on a patio of his palace and tried to pick off gardeners with a high powered rifle. Given the sad loss of absolute authority by the time he was king his traitorous ministers took his rifles away.

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:48 pm

Ralph wrote:My favorite memory of this good king was when he sat on a patio of his palace and tried to pick off gardeners with a high powered rifle. Given the sad loss of absolute authority by the time he was king his traitorous ministers took his rifles away.

He needed the range time!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:12 pm

Corlyss_D wrote:
Ralph wrote:My favorite memory of this good king was when he sat on a patio of his palace and tried to pick off gardeners with a high powered rifle. Given the sad loss of absolute authority by the time he was king his traitorous ministers took his rifles away.
He needed the range time!

Post of the day for ya Corlyss!

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:28 pm

Thank you, Guest, but the management isn't eligible for PoD Awards. But I appreciate the thought.

Teresa B · Post by **Teresa B** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 2:58 pm

I went there around 6 years ago or thereabouts--pretty impressive place. His massive halls (see pic by Corlyss above) are adorned with gigantic Wagnerian opera scenes, as the Mad King apparently had a bit of a fixation on Wagner. (among his other peculiarities).

Teresa

Haydnseek · Post by **Haydnseek** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:11 pm

There was a colorful 1955 film about Ludwig starring O.W. Fischer. Wagner is a character in it. I remember they had it playing every day for the tourists when I was there years ago, like they do with The Sound of Music in Salzburg.

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