Ludwig II
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Ludwig II
Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845-86) became king of Bavaria at an early age (1864). He was more interested in art and music than in politics. He is remembered for his support of the German composer Richard Wagner, whom he subsidized. He also had numerous buildings and castles constructed. Examples are Castle Herrenchiemsee (a copy of the palace of Versailles) and Castle Neuschwanstein (a replica of a medieval castle). These expenditures led to heavy debts. In 1886, the fairytale king was forced to abdicate. Ludwig was also declared insane. Plagued by hallucinations and trapped in a make-believe world, within a week of his deposition he was found drowned in Starnberg lake for reasons unknown.
