HERRENCHIEMSEE – PART 1
SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
As with last time’s post, I want to preface this with a statement that a lot of what information and pictures I am presenting is from pamphlets we purchased when we toured Herrenchiemsee all those years ago. Some are our own observations and pictures, but some of the more “technical” information is gleaned from those pamphlets. So…..
1969 – our trip to Bavaria – Herrenchiemsee Palace
Herrenchiemsee was the last of the three main castles that Ludwig II King of Bavaria had built. Neuschwanstein was the first built, (1869-1886) taking 17 years to complete, and was not completely finished at his death in 1886. Linderhof only took four years to build (1876-1878). And the final castle, Herrenchiemsee, was eight years in the building, 1878-1886. It was not completed at the time of Ludwig’s death in 1886, under mysterious circumstances.
Aerial view of the palace and grounds
I think that Ludwig was a dreamer at heart. While he was a great friend and admirer of composer Richard Wagner, I think he had a bit of hero worship in King Louis XIV of France, who fashioned himself as the Sun King.
Credit Google Search – Louis XIV – Portrait by Hyacinthe Rigaud, 1701
Ludwig II King of Bavaria – 1887 portrait by Gabriel Schachinger
In the brochure we purchased at the castle, it stated that “For King Ludwig II, the Sun King was the absolute embodiment of monarchy.” Ludwig studied everything he could about Louis and Versailles, eventually visiting France and the palace. That inspired him to try to build a “New Versailles.” He erected Herrenchiemsee “as a monument to the monarchy.” It goes on to say it was a monument, not a building to be lived in.
~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
Old Things R New 
You have so much information at your fingertips. It’s awesome.
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Thanks. The info in the booklets we purchased are a great help. We really enjoy re-reading them.
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