Linderhof Palace is nestled in the Bavarian Alps in southern Germany. King Ludwig II’s love of Versailles inspired the formal Baroque-style gardens surrounding the small palace. Versailles exerted enormous influence over European garden design, and Ludwig was determined to create his own majestic garden.
Our visit here was on a misty day with layers of billowy clouds backing the snow-capped peaks and pine forests surrounding the garden. The palace and reflecting pool are on the valley floor. Visiting here requires a “climb every staircase*” & “search high and low” commitment to experience the garden’s water rills, pools, fountains, and sculptures.
The garden is laid out with a central axis connecting a music pavilion at one end and a rotunda featuring a statue of Venus at the other. Climbing to each point provides clear views of alpine meadows and forests and all the glitter of the gardens below.
Deep green hornbeam hedges wall the east and west sides of the palace’s formal parterre. Bright red begonias grow among the boxwoods planted in a bed shaped like a Bourbon Lily. The gardens are accented with gold statues and black urns; it is a genuinely magical wander around this garden.
Ludwig was the patron of the composer Richard Wagner, and he built the Venus Grotto to stage Wagner’s operas. He installed electric lighting for the staged performances in a watery underground cave. Ludwig was the only person in the audience during the productions. The Grotto is currently under restoration and is scheduled to reopen in 2024. The project was funded for 21 million euros but has now ballooned to 60 million and is expected to take ten years to finish.
King Ludwig II reigned from 1864–1886 as a constitutional monarch without authority but with a bulging purse allowing him to live a private fantasy life.
He built four palaces, including Neuschwanstein, which inspired Walt Disney’s, Cinderella Castle. Linderhof palace was initially planned to be his mini Versailles. The valley site proved too small, and his garden designer Carl von Effer abandoned the project and moved to Ludwig’s new palace project Herrenhiemsee.
So Linderhof is Ludwig’s “not good enough” garden. Before his Herrenhiemsee Palace was finished, Ludwig ran out of money and died under what historians say were “mysterious circumstances.”
Bavaria is a spectacular place to visit, and it will inspire you to dream of “climbing every mountain.” Linderhof was my first experience in Bavaria’s gardens, and I dream of returning “to search high and low “ in this magical place.
*Bavaria Inspired me to recall the lyrics of “Climb every Mountain,” the 1959 musical Sound of Music
Lovely!! Thank you so much for sharing your travels with a stay at home. It’s good to see you and Rich enjoying travels again. I’m also glad to know you are well and having a good time.
What magnificient gardens–flowers are so vibrant and beautiful.. Thank you for these photos!!
This is wonderful. I especially love the picture of you both with your umbrellas. All the photos are so bright and beautiful. Love thinking of Larson Travels again.
You bring smiles and love by sharing and when you get “home” too. XXOO
Linda, thank you for taking me back to Linderhof and its beautiful gardens. We visited Ludwig ‘s castles years ago, and Linderhof was our favorite. It has more aesthetic appeal than Neuschwanstein for me. Looking at your gorgeous photos reinforced that original reaction. Thank you for sharing this beauty.
Always look forward to your next trip
As I expected, gorgeous photographs!
Beautiful pictures, Linda and Rich! Thank you for sharing them.
Bravo! Thank you for taking me on this beautiful and enchanting garden tour.
Thank you for taking us with you on your travels, another fascinating and colorful journey – do please keep climbing mountains and sending us rainbows.
Take care too .
Jan
We visited Linderhof and Neuschwanstein Castles about 10 years ago. I loved Linderhof especially. Nice to relive it through your trip! Thank you, Linda!