Even The Royals

King Ludwig II of Bavaria Part 1: The Fairytale King | 9

Feb 19, 2024
King Ludwig II of Bavaria, known as the 'Fairytale King', funded operas, built castles inspiring Disney. Neglecting duties, he faced betrayal, emotional turmoil, and struggled with leadership decisions. His passion for arts and friendship with Wagner added complexity to his reign.
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INSIGHT

Art Over Governance Defined His Reign

  • Ludwig funded major operas and built castles that inspired Disney, earning the nickname “Fairy Tale King.”
  • His obsession with art led him to neglect duties and contributed to his downfall.
ANECDOTE

King’s Final Flight In Neuschwanstein

  • Ludwig bolts through Neuschwanstein Castle as police close in and tries to reach a tower to hide.
  • He is betrayed by a servant who leads him into a trap and is arrested before escaping.
ANECDOTE

Childhood Escape Into Lohengrin

  • At age seven Ludwig sat watching artists paint a mural of Lohengrin and imagined living in that fairy-tale world.
  • The Swan Knight myth became his emotional refuge from a cold, isolated childhood.
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