European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 19, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Steve Taylor Munich Bureau Spring had finally arrived in Hohens Gwangau. Snow glimmered Only on the highest Alpine peaks overlooking the quiet German Village. In the gardens behind the Royal Castle sat a youth of just 18, nearly hidden from View. He was absorbed in the text of Richard Wagner s Lohengrin when a servant rushed up to him breathless. A deputation had arrived from Munich to the Northeast bringing news of the King s impending death. At the announcement a Chilly silence fell upon the Little group beside the Castle Fountain. The Young Man stood a head taller than anyone else. Quot i will come Quot he said. A few Days later on March 10,1864, the Young Man witnessed the death of his father King Maximillian ii of Bavaria. At 18, he was suddenly thrust into a position of Ower a position he was not prepared to take Ludwig ii and become King of Bavaria Quot it has been my Fate to be called too Young to face heavy responsibilities too heavy for Young shoulders too difficult for a Young brain full until now of quite other thoughts and desires Quot he said later. He was to become known As mad King Ludwig the Recluse King the dream King the fairy tale King. Even at the age of 18, he was described As slightly eccentric with a growing desire for Solitude. He had spent his childhood Summers at Hohens Gwangau and it was there that he began to spend More and More time absorbed with his dreams. Ludwig had a tumultuous Rule. A controversial Stormy and reportedly intimate relationship with the composer Richard Wagner. A wedding engagement that he broke himself saying he d rather kill himself than marry. The expenditure of extravagant amounts of Money on lavish castles castles that still stand today. Neglect of his Royal obligations he had grown into such a Recluse that he even denied audiences with his ministers. Declared insane he was arrested in 1886 and soon afterwards was found drowned alongside the doctor who had declared him insane floating in the shallow Waters of Lake Stamberg. Whether the Kings death was Accident murder or suicide remains a mystery. But to this Day his legacy remains As luxurious and ornate castles visited by millions each  Ludwig began building this Castle in 1869at the age of 23, hear fussed a Short distance from Hohens Gwangau in Southern Bavaria. A Century later if would become the Model for Walt Disney s fantasy castles at Disneyland and Disney world. A year earlier he wrote to Wagner and said Quot i have the intention to rebuild the ancient Castle ruins of Hohens Gwangau near the Pollat Gorge in the True style of the ancient German Knight s castles. The place is one of the nicest Ever  by that time he had already withdrawn from society As much As he could. He had moved permanently to Hohens Gwangau from where he ruled while his ministers remained in Munich. At the height of his Power Ludwig had fled from the world to seek Solace in a Solitude More Complete than anyone can imagine. Quot Here he the Royal Recluse would build his Castle and reign in Sovereign Solitude Quot wrote historian Werner Bertram in 1936. This Royal Castle is probably the most lavish. The main bedroom at Neuse Hanstein contains the richest Wood carvings and 14 sculptors worked 4 i years to Complete this room alone. From the Balcony of the throne room the King could enjoy a View of the picturesque bavarian mountains and the Pollat Gorge with a Waterfall 200 feet  soon after work began on Neuse Hanstein a it was never completed with one of the towers never built a the King began work on Linderhof in 1870, about 12 Miles Northwest of Garmisch. Though simpler and much smaller than Neuse Hanstein Linderhof was built in the deserted Raswan Valley far removed from civilization. It could be considered a Model of restraint for the King but the ornate Rococo style is stunning with Rich tapestries paintings and mirrors throughout the Structure. Linderhof is famous for its Grotto inspired by the Blue Grotto at Capri in the Bay of Naples. Down a Long corridor is the main chamber which contains a Lake fed by a Waterfall and a stage Hung with a scene from one of Wagner s operas. The seclusion of the underground and artificial Grotto provided a place where Ludwig could sit and lose himself in his dream  though the two other castles were under Way Ludwig resolved to build his own Palace of Versailles in 1873, he bought the Island of Herren Worth in Lake Chi Emsee and it was there that he was determined to build a replica of the Palace near Paris the Cornerstone was Laid in 1878. According to Ludwig s wishes the plans of the architect George Dollmann were enlarged and finally reached the dimensions of the French original. In fact the Garden facade of Herrence Emsee is an exact copy of the Garden facade of Versailles. Ludwig also demanded a copy of the gallery of mirrors at Versailles in All its original splendor. Being the King he got what he wanted with its 52 candelabras 33 Crystal chandeliers 17 panels opposite Large window like doors that contain enormous mirrors. Central to the planning of Herrence Emsee this 300-foot-Long Hall is the largest room of the Palace. Mirrors seemed an obsession with the King. Throughout his three castles there Are mirrors opposite each other and looking into them takes the observer into Infinity. Ludwig fantasized about the idea of Infinity and his mirrors reflect those dreams. Ludwig s buildings Cost Money. Like any Home owner Ludwig did not want to give up any plans and so his debts mounted and he was always seeking Loans. His yearly income from the state was 5.5 million Marks and