History UsefulNotes / LudwigIIOfBavaria

He was famously eccentric and built many of the most beautiful castles in Bavaria, the most famous of which is [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein_Castle Neuschwanstein]]. He loved myths and legends and Music/RichardWagner's {{opera}}s, which earned him the nickname "Märchenkönig" -- "fairy-tale king" (''Theatre/{{Lohengrin}}'' is the reason there's so many {{swans|A Swimming}} in the castle's decorations). This was certainly a bit odd, but not ''that'' odd, given the times - his contemporary Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia for example called himself "the Romantic on the Throne" and (despite himself being Protestant and ''leading the Protestant church'' in Prussia) was an enthusiastic backer of the efforts to finish construction of Cologne Cathedral - something which Creator/HeinrichHeine considered to be absolute lunacy. While the practical use-value of Ludwig's medieval inspired fortresses was nigh-nill at the time, it was ''not'' unusual for rulers to order the construction of massive representative residences for foreign policy bragging rights - in France shortly before UsefulNotes/TheFrenchRevolution there was even the theory of "Useful Splendor" - spend like there's no tomorrow to convince creditors that the household wasn't in unsustainable debt. [[ForegoneConclusion It didn't work]].

He was famously eccentric and built many of the most beautiful castles in Bavaria, the most famous of which is [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein_Castle Neuschwanstein]]. He loved myths and legends and Music/RichardWagner's {{opera}}s, which earned him the nickname "Märchenkönig" ("fairy-tale king"). This was certainly a bit odd, but not ''that'' odd, given the times - his contemporary Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia for example called himself "the Romantic on the Throne" and (despite himself being Protestant and ''leading the Protestant church'' in Prussia) was an enthusiastic backer of the efforts to finish construction of Cologne Cathedral - something which Creator/HeinrichHeine considered to be absolute lunacy. While the practical use-value of Ludwig's medieval inspired fortresses was nigh-nill at the time, it was ''not'' unusual for rulers to order the construction of massive representative residences for foreign policy bragging rights - in France shortly before UsefulNotes/TheFrenchRevolution there was even the theory of "Useful Splendor" - spend like there's no tomorrow to convince creditors that the household wasn't in unsustainable debt. [[ForegoneConclusion It didn't work]].

* In ''[[Videogame/{{Civilization}} Civilization VI]]'', he's one of the leaders being added as part of the Great Builders pack of the upcoming Leader Pass.

Ludwig the Second, born Ludwig Otto Friedrich Wilhelm von Wittelsbach was king of [[UsefulNotes/TheSixteenLandsOfDeutschland Bavaria]] from 1863 to 1885, and the last king to rule it as an independent state. Despite his rule occurring during the time of UsefulNotes/OttoVonBismarck most people who aren't experts on Bavarian history wouldn't be able to name any major political decision of Ludwig II, but he is still the best known Bavarian king and ''many'' people have strong opinions on the King's taste in art and architecture, his private life and his mental health.

He was famously eccentric and built many of the most beautiful castles in Bavaria, the most famous of which is [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein_Castle Neuschwanstein]]. He loved myths and legends and Music/RichardWagner's {{opera}}s, which earned him the nickname "Märchenkönig" ("fairy-tale king"). This was certainly a bit odd, but not ''that'' odd, given the times - his contemporary Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia for example called himself "the Romantic on the Throne" and (despite himself being Protestant and ''leading the Protestant church'' in Prussia) was an enthusiastic backer of the efforts to finish construction of Cologne Cathedral - something which Creator/HeinrichHeine considered to be absolute lunacy. While the practical use-value of Ludwig's medieval inspired fortresses was nigh-nill at the time, it was ''not'' unusual for rulers to order the construction of massive representative residences for foreign policy bragging rights - in France shortly before the UsefulNotes/FrenchRevolution there was even the theory of "Useful Splendor" - spend like there's no tomorrow to convince creditors that the household wasn't in unsustainable debt. [[ForegoneConclusion It didn't work]].

He was famously eccentric and built many of the most beautiful castles in Bavaria, the most famous of which is [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein_Castle Neuschwanstein]]. He enjoyed myths and legends and [[Music/RichardWagner Wagnerian opera]], which earned him the nickname "Märchenkönig" ("fairy-tale king"). This was certainly a bit odd, but not ''that'' odd, given the times - his contemporary Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia for example called himself "the Romantic on the Throne" and (despite himself being Protestant and ''leading the Protestant church'' in Prussia) was an enthusiastic backer of the efforts to finish construction of Cologne Cathedral - something which Creator/HeinrichHeine considered to be absolute lunacy. While the practical use-value of Ludwig's medieval inspired fortresses was nigh-nill at the time, it was ''not'' unusual for rulers to order the construction of massive representative residences for foreign policy bragging rights - in France shortly before the UsefulNotes/FrenchRevolution there was even the theory of "Useful Splendor" - spend like there's no tomorrow to convince creditors that the household wasn't in unsustainable debt. [[ForegoneConclusion It didn't work]].

-->--'''[[UsefulNotes/TheSoundOfMartialMusic Empress Elisabeth of Austria]]'''

* ''Film/{{Ludwig}}'' (1973) - The Luchino Visconti film, which saw Creator/RomySchneider [[RoleReprise reprising her role]] of Elisabeth of Bavaria from the ''Sissi'' films.

Many hints point toward suicide, but there are still those who argue for accidental drowning or even foul play. His deposition and the fact that his official successor Otto never got to actually rule (as he was also a mental patient) led to a long period of Bavaria being ruled by a ''regent'' (or "Prinzregent" in German) - first Luitpold, then Ludwig, before Ludwig decided to end the charade in 1913 (three years before the death of Otto) and had himself declared King in name as well as fact. Due to the fact that many cities under Bavarian rule were rapidly growing in that era, many cities today have a ''Prinzregentenstraße'' or ''Luitpoldstraße'' named after that era.

Ultimately it was decided to remove the King from office on the grounds of insanity (a judgment still controversial among the general public as well as psychiatrists)and he would be placed in internal exile near what is today Lake Starnberg where he would die a few days later under mysterious circumstances. He and his personal physician were found dead, floating in a lake after failing to return from a walk by the banks