German Cultural Identity:The Castles of Mad Ludwig II

Anthea Rokop

The Castles

• The rich history of these three castles of Mad Ludwig II help define Germany’s cultural identity.

• Ludwig’s castles are classic, romantic, and glorious.

• His castles are located in Bavaria.• They are very popular with tourists from around

Germany and the world.• The castles have towering turrets and are located

in striking settings of the Bavarian country-side.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Fairy-tale turrets decorate

Neuschwanstein Castle, King Ludwig's alpine

retreat. This was the inspiration

for Disney

Who is Mad Ludwig II?

• He was born 1845 just outside of Munich.

• He spent much of his youth in a castle known as Hohenschwangau (“high region of the swan”)

• At age 19 he ascended the throne.

• He had a love for the Bavarian Alps where he chose to build his castles.

•He was thought to be shy and odd; his death is a mystery yet to be solved.

Mad Ludwig II

• The 1865 coronation of Mad Ludwig II

How does this affect German cultural identity?

• The amazing castles shows just some of the history of Germany.

• Germans take pride in the fantastic work done by their ancestors.

• These are some of the most famous castles in the world.

• Help define who Germans are; proud of their rich history.

• Currently, they are carefully renovating and fixing Neuschwanstein which shows their pride in history and love of culture.

German cultural identity as seen with Neuschwanstein

Traditional German dancing outside Newschwanstein

Questions

1. Who built the some of the most famous castles in the world; such as Neuschwanstein?

a. King George III

b. Mad Ludwig II

c. Queen Elizabeth II

2. What is one reason this affects German cultural identity?

a. They take pride and love the history of their ancestors

b. They get free food

c. They can have car races

Answers

1. B

2. A

BibliographyEnglish article 1http://www.ricksteves.com/tms/article.cfm?id=287&extras=false

English article 2http://www.german-way.com/ludwig.html

English article 3http://www.german-way.com/neuschw.html

http://humblog.humboldt-institut.org/archives/3249

German Students Visit Neuschwanstein