»I want to remain an eternal mystery to myself and to others!«
I once wrote that sentence to my beloved, dear governess. And it reveals my innermost self in the most perfect way. Was I already aware of that while I was writing it? I no longer know, but all the psychologists, historians, and other researchers have made a huge deal out of it. It almost forms the basis of my myth, my enigmatic nature, my parallel worlds, my Wagnerian Parsifal dream. Descend with me into my dream worlds, into the hall of mirrors of my soul, and I can say this today: Enter with me my edifices for eternity. Yet they were meant only for me and never for you!
The legend is back!
For a long time, my soul was trapped in the twilight realm, but now I am back to shed light on the darkness ...
8 special places I feel connected to.
History, Romance, Legends
Together we will explore my life and my alternative worlds – you will receive answers to all your urgent questions.
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Here's how it works
You purchase the tour and have immediate access after payment – no download required.
You'll also receive a login code via email, which you can use to log in again within 14 days.
Experience the tour in person or entirely digitally.
Important places in my life
What you should know
General info about the experience
I, Ludwig II, will accompany and guide you through the places, castles, dreams, and visions of my life. It is an honor for me to be able to share all of this with you – and I hope you can take something lasting home with you from this experience. Just as my castles will remain forever. I will always try to answer you as accurately as possible, but please forgive me if I don’t remember one detail or another exactly: there is so much, and the mists of time sometimes blur my memories a little.
Usage details
We recommend iOS 16 or later and Android 13 or later, as well as the Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browsers. After purchase, the experience is available for 14 days from the date of purchase. Your guide will be available to you during this period with a maximum of 75 answers.
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I am Ludwig II. – King by the Grace of God
I was born on August 25, 1845 – in a castle, of course, Nymphenburg, because that’s what you do when you’re a Wittelsbach. My full name is Otto Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig, but Ludwig ended up sticking. Thanks, Grandfather Ludwig!
My childhood was actually quite nice. Summers in the countryside, mountain hikes with my mother Marie and my brother Otto. My father, Maximilian II, was usually off somewhere in Italy or Greece on a health retreat – and when he was around, he thought I was too sensitive. To me, he was too pedantic. We didn’t get along very well. With Grandfather, on the other hand, it was nice, he liked me. Unfortunately, he later constantly meddled in my politics, which I didn’t appreciate so much.
At 18, I became king overnight because my father died unexpectedly in 1864. No studies in Göttingen, no further education.
As king, I did my job ... well, with mixed results. I signed documents diligently – over 100,000 times, hard to believe. Parades, receptions, and state visits, on the other hand, I avoided whenever possible. I went to the Oktoberfest a total of five times in 22 years. You could say I wasn’t the festival type.
I was briefly engaged to my cousin Sophie Charlotte – a good singer and a Wagner enthusiast like I hate I hate me – but I simply couldn’t marry her because I didn’t feel enough for her. I remained unmarried for the rest of my life.
My closest confidants? Richard Wagner – essentially my artistic surrogate father, to whom I generously gave money and a position. And his future wife Cosima, with whom I exchanged endless letters. And yes, my cousin Sisi, a soulmate. Otherwise, I had many male friends from all walks of life: stablehands, actors, valets. People still speculate today about exactly what these friendships meant. I won’t say anything about that – or maybe I will?
My brother Otto, unfortunately, lost his mind. He was gradually isolated and eventually ended up at Fürstenried Palace. When I drowned in Lake Würm in 1886 under unexplained circumstances, he formally became king – though he was immediately declared unfit to rule. A sad end for both of us.
What remains? My palaces for eternity. And the mystery that I wanted to remain forever ...
