Linderhof

Linderhof is one of the palaces commissioned by Ludwig II, one-time King of Bavaria. I can't think of him without recalling a trip from Paris to Munich on a night train where J and I bunked with three other people: a young German who worked in France offering bike tours on the Cote d'Azur, a gentleman who worked for Caterpillar, and another gentlemen who drank himself into a stupor and woke the lot of us up by banging on the cabin door at 0300. The Caterpillar engineer was set against our visiting any of Ludwig's palaces, including Neuschwanstein, saying they weren't innately German in their architecture as Linderhof was unabashedly French and Neuschwanstein Turkish. That evening on the Nachtzug was quite memorable and forever tied to Ludwig in my mind.

Not heeding the gentlemen's advice, we did visit Linderhof albeit six years later. Linderhof was meant to pay tribute to Versailles and Louis XIV and Louis XV and act as a refuge for the reclusive King. Nearly all of the frescoes in the small palace depicted court life at Versailles and mistresses of the Kings. The decor was much influenced also with gilded trim, a room with myriad mirrors and rich tapestry covered walls. Ludwig even installed a grotto complete with trick lighting, an innovation for the time. Our tour guide was the best I've had, and he paid special attention to the few children present always inviting them to the balustrades so they should see the rooms and engaging them in conversation.

I explained to Littlest that the palace was built in the Rococo style which she shortened to 'coco' palace. Littlest also declared that the palace looked like a wedding cake.

Littlest in front of the gates.

The statues were removed to protect them from the elements, and the kiddos took advantage of the empty pedestals.

Bop assumed the Thinker's position.

In warmer months, a cascading fountain could be seen here.

I peeked under the shed to glimpse the fountain and was taken aback by coming face to face with a statue of a muscled horse!

Facade of Linderhof

J and I laughed as Log struggled to keep his grip on our heavy camera!

While touring Linderhof, the guide pointed out life-size replicas of peacocks made of porcelain. He explained that when Ludwig was in residence, the peacocks would be placed on either side of the entrance gate. Quick to catch on to the mention of peacocks instead of the ubiquitous swans found at Ludwig's other castle, Neuschwanstein, Bop asked why there were no swans at Linderhof. The guide informed her that Ludwig thought highly of both birds and made a game of pointing out swans in other rooms as the tour continued. Below is a picture of Bop in front of one of the water features alive with several graceful swans!