The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee

Brief synthesis The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria are located in the Free State of Bavaria, in Swabia and Upper Bavaria, Germany. Carefully sited in the Alps and their foothills, in landscapes of high natural and aesthetic qualities, they were designed and built as places of seclusion, according to the romantic vision and under the meticulous supervision of King Ludwig II of Bavaria during his reign from 1864 to 1886. These palaces were built solely as private residences and were intended to inspire the enjoyment of art and the appreciation of beauty. Lavishly decorated and varying in nature and appearance, Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace and its garden and park, the King’s House on Schachen, and Herrenchiemsee New Palace with its garden were conceived in the age of historicism and eclecticism. Being staged visual architecture for poetic, imagined worlds, the four palaces made full use of the stylistic trends and technical possibilities of the era. To achieve the desired results and effect of “total works of art” (Gesamtkunstwerke), the best artists, craftspeople, and latest technologies were used. The inspirations for their forms and appearances were derived from, among others, Wartburg Castle, the Palace of Versailles and its gardens, and Richard Wagner’s operas. Criterion (iv): The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria are remarkably well-preserved, and display a varied range of architectural and artistic styles. They testify to great intellectual and symbolic depth, and demonstrate a high level of artistic and technological skill. The four component parts individually and collectively represent a symbiosis of popular architectural trends during the second half of the 19th century, particularly the penchant for historicism and eclecticism. Conceived as places of seclusion, the four castles were built under the meticulous direction of King Ludwig II. They were designed as total works of art of remarkable beauty, scale and luxury, and incorporate scenic and theatrical effects. Integrity The serial property contains all the attributes necessary to convey the Outstanding Universal Value, including buildings, structures, and associated parks and gardens. All the component parts of the property are in a good state of conservation and remain largely unchanged since the death of King Ludwig II. They are characterised by their exceptional locations, outstanding natural beauty of their settings, and deliberately chosen seclusion. None of the component parts suffer from the adverse effects of development or neglect. Authenticity The component parts of the series are in their original locations, and their settings remain highly evocative of the past. The key attributes are authentic in terms of their forms and designs, and their historic materials and substances have been conserved to the degree possible. The associated gardens and parks have been managed with sensitivity to their historical configurations. The feeling of the visual world of King Ludwig II has been maintained. Protection and management requirements Statutory protection for the four component parts is governed by the Law on the Protection and Preservation of Monuments (Bavarian Monument Protection Law – BayDSchG) of 25 June 1973, as amended. The component parts have been registered as monuments since the 1970s. Additionally, according to the BayDSchG, a World Heritage property has special protection status, and all alterations require relevant consent. Furthermore, the laws and regulations relating to the protection of nature and landscapes, and of water resources, as well as other regulations also apply within the boundaries of the property and its buffer zones. The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria are owned by the Free State of Bavaria. The responsible authority for the management of the property is the Bavarian Palace Department, which, in close cooperation with the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments and other parties involved, coordinates and supervises all structural, restoration, and conservation works. A steering group will monitor the conservation of the component parts and the protection of their respective buffer zones. A draft management plan has been prepared to be used as a communication and coordination instrument that facilitates participatory management of the serial property and its settings. It should be revised to include a visitor management strategy that responds to the factors affecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, and to address issues relating to the natural and cultural environment of the property that should be effectively synchronised and fully integrated into management practices.