hideback:King Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845-1886)Venus Grotto at Linderhof Palace, 1877The depth of Kin
hideback:King Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845-1886)Venus Grotto at Linderhof Palace, 1877The depth of King Ludwig II’s love for Richard Wagner is clear through his letters and diary entries. Ludwig built the Venus Grotto as a private theatre to view exclusive productions of Wagner’s opera, Tannhauser. Ludwig would be rowed into his little underground lake on a seashell ship and feed his pet swans. Inspired by the colors of the Blue Grotto of Capri, Ludwig had stage lighting installed in the grotto to illuminate the stage and waterfall in every color of the rainbow. The grotto included a wave machine and heated water in case Ludwig or a companion wished to take a dip.Entrance to the grotto via an artificial caveGrotto, stage and seashell shipPortrait of the Swan KingA letter from Ludwig to Richard Wagner:If only I could quite banish from me the curse of which you speak, and send it back to the deeps of night from whence it sprang! – How I love, how I love you, my one, my highest good! … My enthusiasm and love for you are boundless. Once more I swear you faith till death! Ever, ever your devoted Ludwig -- source link