Ludwig II (1845-1886), king of Bavaria, became known for constructing elaborate palaces and other buildings. His taste for extravagant structures and his eccentric behavior earned him the name “Mad Ludwig.”
Ludwig was born in Munich. He began to reign as king in 1864. However, Bavaria was governed almost entirely by government ministers and the Bavarian parliament. This system, which had been established before Ludwig became king, allowed him to pursue his hobbies full-time.
Ludwig spent his family fortune and part of the Bavarian treasury on building Linderhof Palace, Herrenchiemsee Palace, and Neuschwanstein Castle. Neuschwanstein Castle later became the model for castles in Walt Disney Company theme parks. Ludwig became the patron of German composer Richard Wagner and built him an elaborate performance hall in Bayreuth, Germany.
In 1886, the Bavarian government deposed Ludwig because of his overspending and his eccentric behavior. He was then sent to Berg Castle. The day after he arrived, Ludwig and his physician were found drowned in a nearby lake.
