It was here, in the Green Salon, that I was born on August 25, 1845, and the very next day I was baptized in the Stone Hall. My parents, Maximilian II Joseph of Bavaria and Marie of Prussia, were overjoyed and announced my birth to Munich with 101 cannon shots. That was an event right up my alley: Many people had gathered in front of the palace and in the streets of Nymphenburg for my baptism. The houses were decorated with flags, flowers, and wreaths. My godparents were my grandfather King Ludwig I, my great-uncle King Frederick William IV of Prussia, and my uncle King Otto of Greece. I also got my first names from them: Otto Ludwig Frederick William.

During my childhood, I usually lived at the Residenz during the winter months, while we spent our summers at Nymphenburg Palace or at our family estates in the countryside: Hohenschwangau Castle, the royal villa near Berchtesgaden at the foot of the Fürstenstein, or Berg Castle. I never really warmed up to the Residenz, but that certainly isn’t because it lacks grandeur.

I dreamed of this castle, of this palace, even as a young boy, when I roamed the hills across the way. It is the embodiment of my fantasies of knights’ castles and the myths of Wagner’s operas. It was meant to be mine alone! And yet the mighty whisper of time reached my ears; after my death, Neuschwanstein became a world-famous fairytale castle.

My favorite place: Linderhof Palace, built between 1874 and 1879. It was the only palace I was able to complete. And I even spent the last eight years of my life there. Compared to my other two monumental works, Linderhof seems more modest; one might describe it more as a royal villa. Anyone who has ever spent time in the Venus Grotto by moonlight will understand why Linderhof has grown so dear to my heart.

Well, after all, a king has to aim high! From the outside, the royal residence is rather unassuming – I even tried to keep a low profile around those nosy journalists—but inside: it’s like a fairy tale straight out of One Thousand and One Nights! I celebrated my birthdays here, surrounded by oriental myths – I loved it so much ...

For my friend Richard Wagner, only the best would do: Bayreuth had been the site of his festival since 1871, and the magnificent Margravial Opera House was already located there. But it was too small for his theater, so he needed a festival hall of his own. I would have preferred Munich, but what wouldn’t one do for a friend? Richard wanted to finance it by selling securities, but he wasn’t entirely successful, so I supported him. In 1876, the first festival took place with the premiere of The Ring of the Nibelung—Emperor Wilhelm I and the Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro II were in attendance. And me? I was in Bayreuth and watched the fantastic dress rehearsals. But I wanted to avoid Wilhelm.

I had been searching for a long time for a place to build my own version of Versailles. At first, I wanted to bring my vision to life in Ettal, where I eventually planned to build Linderhof. But it was too cramped there! How lucky I was to find Herrenchiemsee Island. In 1873, I bought it on the spot, because the island seemed ideal to me. As they say: Location, location, location! And you have to admit: The palace turned out to be more than impressive, didn’t it?

There are so many connections in my life to Lake Würm: and yet it was in this very lake that I drowned on June 13, 1886. Or did I? I’ll leave that for you to speculate about... On the shore stands my little Schloss Berg, steeped in childhood memories. And on Würth Island—now known as Rose Island—my cousin Sisi and I pursued our dreams. I believe we both felt freer than ever before. Today, the small votive chapel serves as a reminder of me on this beautiful lake.