Linderhof Palace & Park

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Castles
Immerse yourself in the fairytale world of King Ludwig II.

History:

Even as a teenager, Ludwig II went hunting with his father in the Graswangtal. At that time he already lived in the hunting lodge, which later became Linderhof Palace should be.

With Linderhof Palace, Ludwig II created a dream world for himself in which he could reside like a real king. Because with the defeat in the war against the Prussians in 1866, Ludwig II, king since 1864, was no longer sovereign. However, in his castle, which was built as a counterworld, he was still able to reside like a king - in this case a baroque king.

Between 1869 and 1878 the castle and park were built, which got their name “Linderhof” from an estate belonging to the Ettal monastery. All that remains of the former monastery estate today is the old chapel, in which Ludwig II often prayed. He did not have his father's familiar hunting lodge around which his castle was built torn down, but instead rebuilt it where it still stands today “Royal Cottage” is in the park.

Linderhof Castle follows the type of “pleasure castle” that emerged in France in the 18th century and was soon built in castle parks throughout Europe. The magnificent furnishings are a mixture of French and Bavarian Rococo. However, Ludwig was by no means creating a copy of models but rather something new and his own. Among other things, he cleverly made use of optical illusions and, for example, made rooms appear larger using mirrors. Even for a monarch, the exquisite rooms are furnished in a most spectacular way, and the quality of the craftsmanship is beyond comparison.

Ludwig II was a loner and created his own empire with Linderhof Palace, his castle for himself alone. The fact that Linderhof Castle was built only for one person who wanted to be alone as much as possible can be seen from the size of the rooms. The much-admired “Tischleindeckdich,” which stands in the dining room, is also an example of how much Ludwig II valued solitude. This unusual “dumbwaiter” could be set up directly in the kitchen and then travel directly back into the dining room via a hatch in the floor. So the monarch dined undisturbed and looked at the portrait of the beautiful Madame Du Barry.

parks

The parks of the castle are no less impressive than the castle itself. The park combines motifs from the French and Italian baroque gardens and the English landscape garden. The terraces in the central axis of the castle with water basins, fountains and fountains, statues and vases, the geometric flower beds, the arcades, the long cascade with Neptune fountain and the two focal points of the pavilion and the temple of Venus are baroque. The natural, irregular design of the surrounding park with its exotic buildings comes from models from English landscape gardens.

The park buildings are something very special, reflecting Ludwig II's enthusiasm for oriental fashion and Richard Wagner's musical dramas. These come from the oriental fashion that has existed since the early 19th century and which Ludwig II also cultivated Moroccan house and the Moorish kiosk. The three stage sets erected in the park Hunding hut (I. Act of “Walkyrie”), Hermitage of Gurnemanz (III act of “Parsifal”) and Venus Grotto (Act I of “Tannhäuser”) comes from Richard Wagner’s dramas. They can all be visited individually and each building is a small world in itself.

Venus Grotto (renovation work until the end of 2024)

The huge, artificial one Venus Grotto, built in 1876/77, is very interesting, not least in terms of the history of technology. It was electrically lit with carbon rod lamps, for which 24 dynamo machines supplied the electricity. With the help of colored glasses, the grotto could be illuminated in different colors. A wave machine moved the small artificial lake, the water of which, like the entire grotto, was heated to achieve a pleasant bathing temperature. The Venus Grotto consists of a brick core on which a framework made of iron beams, wire mesh and canvas supports the “rocks” formed with plaster.

Linderhof castle, park and park building form one of the most artistic ensembles of the entire 19th century, a true work of art. The park's architect, Carl von Effner, also brilliantly incorporated the magnificent mountain landscape. The park paths lead up to the mountain peaks.

Guided Tours

There are guided tours in German and English approximately every 10 - 15 minutes maximum 40 people instead (duration approx. 25 minutes); Special tours on request.
Ticket booking via https://www.schlosslinderhof.de/
Please book tickets 1 - 2 days in advance, as there can be very long waiting times if you buy tickets at the local ticket center on the same day.

Opening hours and prices

Opening times and prices can be found on the website www.schlosslinderhof.de

Accessibility information:

Wheelchair users should register their visit in advance at the castle cash desk and a mobile stair climbing aid will be set up. Wheelchairs and walkers can also be rented at the castle ticket office. Disabled toilets in the car park and near the castle (in winter only at the castle).

Note for KönigsCard holders:
Royal cottage in the Linderhof palace gardens
1 x daily free entry to the exhibition: “From Lynder-Hof to the Castle” (exhibition is currently closed)

Note: The Venus Grotto is expected to be closed until 2024 for renovation work

Good to know

Visitor volume

Contact person: in

Linderhof Palace and Garden Administration

author

Zugspitz Region GmbH

Burgstrasse 15
82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen

+49(0)8821/751-562

info@zugspitz-region.de

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