Ludwig 1845 gay
King Ludwig II lived during turbulent times marked by the Industrial Revolution, the Wars of German Unification, and the gradual decline of the Bavarian crown's influence—significant events that demanded his attention as a monarch. The circumstances surrounding his deposition and mysterious death in Lake Starnberg last unclear to this day. Was it a failed abscond attempt, suicide, or possibly murder?
While Ludwig had numerous admirers, myths, and legends during his lifetime, the speculation intensified after his death. What had change into of the beloved "Kini" (Bavarian: King)? Even today, the king's enthusiasts persist. Flowers are regularly placed in front of his coffin in the crypt of St. Michael's Church (external link, opens in a new window) in Munich, reminiscent of gestures for a rock star. Researchers and biographers continually delve into aspects of his being, whether it be his homosexuality — an open classified during his lifetime (his engagement to his cousin Sophie Charlotte in Bavaria was short-lived) — his potential mental illness, or his unbridled passion for art, history and technology. Ludwig's ideas were visionary and often met with incompr
Grand Opera
The Gay Like Letters of Ludwig II to Richard Wagner
Excerpts from My Dear Boy: Homosexual Love Letters through the Centuries (1998), Edited by Rictor Norton
Richard Wagner's great opera cycles might not live were it not for the help of his patron Ludwig II, King of Bavaria (1845–86). His enormous fairy-tale castles, Teutonic, neo-gothic and oriental versions of Versailles which virtually bankrupted the country, were the grand opera sets made flesh. He endeavoured to be an absolute monarch at the dawn of the current republican world, when such goals were impossible. But having failed in the political and national realm, he made his dream existence in art and music. No expense was spared for the staging of Wagner's operas, which were often performed with Ludwig the sole member of the audience, and in return Wagner gave him his genius and his love. Wagner established that "Without him I am as nothing! Even in loving him he was my first teacher. O my King! You are divine!" They exchanged some 600 letters, and it is hard to speak who was more Queer Places: Ludwig II (25 August 1845 – 13 June 1886)[1] was King of Bavaria from 1864 until his death in 1886. He is sometimes called the Swan King, Mad King Ludwig or der Märchenkönig ("the Fairy Tale King"). He also held the titles of Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Duke of Franconia, and Duke in Swabia.[2] He succeeded to the throne aged 18. Two years later Bavaria and Austria fought a war against Prussia, which they lost. However, in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 Bavaria sided with Prussia against France, and after the Prussian victory it became part of the fresh German Empire led by Prussia. Though Bavaria retained a degree of autonomy on some matters within the new German Reich, Ludwig increasingly withdrew from day-to-day affairs of state in favour of extravagant artistic and architectural projects. He commissioned the construc
Munich Residenz, Residenzstraße 1, 80333 München, Germania
Neuschwanstein Castle, Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germania
Linderhof Palace, Linderhof 12, 82488 Ettal, Germania
Herrenchiemsee, 83209 Herrenchiemsee, Germania
St Michael, Neuhauser Str. 6, 80333 München, Germania
From a letter sent by Paul to Ludwig on May 5, 1866, when King Ludwig was 20 years old:
“Dear and Beloved Ludwig! I am just finishing my diary with the thought of the pretty hours which we spent together that evening a week ago which made me the happiest gentleman on earth… Oh, Ludwig, Ludwig, I am dedicated to you! I couldn’t stand the people around me; I sat still and, in my thoughts I was still with you...How my heart pound when, as I passed the Residenz, I saw a light in your window.”
Paul and Ludwig also shared a love for composer Richard Wagner and the theater. Paul was gifted with a beautiful voice and sang for the king ma