Germany Wrap Up: Linderhof
While trying to decide what to do on my last day of freedom in Germany, I found out that I could make a day trip from Füssen to Linderhof. It took three bus rides with me anxiously fretting over the schedules and whether I'd get stuck in some random town in Germany with no way back for me to get to Linderhof, but it was SO worth it.
Apparently, King Ludwig (the same guy who built Neuschwanstein) idolized King Louis XIV of France. He liked the splendor in which the guy lived, as well as his declaration of absolute monarchy (understandable, since Ludwig had lost most of his power to the German Emperor). So, Ludwig built Linderhof to be a miniature version of Versailles. Linderhof is the only castle that Ludwig built and completed to his satisfaction
The palace itself was amazing. It blew my mind how much money had to have been spent on these rooms with gold and ivory and silver and ornate detailing everywhere. The palace includes an audience chamber that he never used (because he never had any guests); his bedroom (which was set up like Versailles, where they received audiences, but again, he never received any); a dining room that had a table on a pulley system, lowering down into the kitchen, so he could be served without every having anyone in his presence (maybe he was OCD?); and a hall of mirrors with his porcelain vase collection (one set of mirrors create the illusion of the room going on to infinity!); as well as gorgeous cabinets (sitting rooms) in between each one.
There are many other great buildings along the Park grounds, which you have to take rambling walks over the hillsides and through the woods to get to. Uphill from the palace is the Venus Grotto, a man-made cave that incorporated several elements from Richard Wagner's operas and served as a swimming spot for the King and a private concert hall (apparently it's the largest man-made cave in Europe). There's also the Morocan Kiosk, Morocan House, Terrace Gardens, Temple of Venus, and about half a dozen more. It was a very cool place to visit, and I would definitely recommend it to my fellow travelers.
The Palace
(Sorry, no photos allowed inside unfortunately.)
The Morocan Kiosk with the Peacock Throne
(He was apparently obsessed with Orientalism.)
In the afternoon, while waiting for the bus to come and take me back to Füssen, I sat and sketched one of the statues.
This was the result:
So that's the last of my Germany posts.... Now I'm off to Disneyland!
Apparently, King Ludwig (the same guy who built Neuschwanstein) idolized King Louis XIV of France. He liked the splendor in which the guy lived, as well as his declaration of absolute monarchy (understandable, since Ludwig had lost most of his power to the German Emperor). So, Ludwig built Linderhof to be a miniature version of Versailles. Linderhof is the only castle that Ludwig built and completed to his satisfaction
The palace itself was amazing. It blew my mind how much money had to have been spent on these rooms with gold and ivory and silver and ornate detailing everywhere. The palace includes an audience chamber that he never used (because he never had any guests); his bedroom (which was set up like Versailles, where they received audiences, but again, he never received any); a dining room that had a table on a pulley system, lowering down into the kitchen, so he could be served without every having anyone in his presence (maybe he was OCD?); and a hall of mirrors with his porcelain vase collection (one set of mirrors create the illusion of the room going on to infinity!); as well as gorgeous cabinets (sitting rooms) in between each one.
There are many other great buildings along the Park grounds, which you have to take rambling walks over the hillsides and through the woods to get to. Uphill from the palace is the Venus Grotto, a man-made cave that incorporated several elements from Richard Wagner's operas and served as a swimming spot for the King and a private concert hall (apparently it's the largest man-made cave in Europe). There's also the Morocan Kiosk, Morocan House, Terrace Gardens, Temple of Venus, and about half a dozen more. It was a very cool place to visit, and I would definitely recommend it to my fellow travelers.
The Palace
(Sorry, no photos allowed inside unfortunately.)
The Morocan Kiosk with the Peacock Throne
(He was apparently obsessed with Orientalism.)
In the afternoon, while waiting for the bus to come and take me back to Füssen, I sat and sketched one of the statues.
This was the result:
So that's the last of my Germany posts.... Now I'm off to Disneyland!