Culture in the Mountains

Nothing could be more beautiful than a city located in the Alps…well maybe a castle in the mountains.  The visit to Munich included some interesting tourist spots.  For instance, the location where Hitler joined the German Workforce Party, gave speeches, and rallied for political support.  The city also possessed wonderful art museums filled with the works of prominent artists.  While I’m not an art connoisseur by any means, I recognized works by Leonardo di Caprio, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Durer.  To see the original pieces by these famous artists was astounding as I never thought I would get the chance to see the paintings.  The works portrayed mainly biblical scenes and portraits.  I liked the biblical scenes better as I understood the story behind the painting.   One example seen many times throughout the museum was paintings of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  As noted, castles in the Alps were more beautiful than the city.  My favorite castle was Linderhof.  Linderhof was the only castle completed in King Ludwig’s short life.  Ludwig also spent the most time at this castle: 2 weeks per month.  The castle is a miniature version of Versailles in France.  Upon entry into the castle you are immediately struck by the grandeur interior.  All molding on the walls and ceilings was covered with gold leafing, making the rooms look very extravagant.  Each room also sported a mural on the ceiling often depicting the sky filled with angels.  Ludwig made the castle his private escape.  No appointments or meetings occurred in the castle:  not even servants saw the king.  Ludwig installed a table that could be lowered into the kitchen to have food placed upon it and then raised back up so human interaction was not necessary.  If the king got lonely, portraits of his family hung on the wall in which he could converse with.  While I find the lack of human interaction strange, these oddities make for interesting stories and provide insight into Ludwig’s life.  Linderhof was the most extravagant castle, but it was also the smallest.  Due to the art, gold molding, and the oddities in the castle, it is my favorite castle and favorite part of Munich.  Munich provided for an eye-opening experience into the history of Germany and more specifically Bavaria.

-Lindsey Pogge