Bavarian Pt 2/3

Transcription

Ludwig II supported technology rather as a means to realize his dreams than being a technology freak per se like his father. Most of the plans of Neuschwanstein lie in the secret Wittelsbach archives. To access the documents, the permission of Ludwig's descendants is needed. As yet, the construction documents have not been evaluated systematically, but examples show the extent of the construction. Between 200 and 300 stonemasons, bricklayers and carpenters are employed. They only interrupt their work because of snow and storm. 465 tons of marble, 1500 tons of sandstone, 400,000 bricks are used during one year. After 5 years, approximately 20 million euros are spent. "It is necessary to create such paradises, such poetic havens where you can forget awhile this awful times we live in." King Ludwig wrote this in his diary. But what was it that made the time he lived in that awful? Ludwig was convinced of the idea of a holy kingship by the grace of God. He wanted to be like Louis XIV, the almighty French Sun King, he admired. But Ludwig cannot govern like he wants to. So, he fled into a world of medieval myths, whose heroes are noble, pure and inapproachable. Exactly the same he wanted to be. 1867, one year after the defeat against Prussia, Ludwig visited the just reconstructed Wartburg. The king was delighted. It was the Singers' Hall he liked the most. Now, he knew exactly how the rooms of his own dream castle should look like. Already in Ludwig's time, the Wartburg is a national monument. At this place, Martin Luther translated the Bible. The 19th century is not only a time of innovation and change but also a time of recollection to history. Many representative buildings of Europe's metropolises are erected in the style of historism. From neo-romanticism to neo-rococo. Anything goes. Neuschwanstein goes together with that fashion: the romantic ideal of a knight's castle. But no one would have built in that way in Middle Ages. There are no defence works, actually, the most important feature of a medieval residence. Genuine castles are recognized by the fact being erected over a period of several centuries. Often, the different parts do not go together. Neuschwanstein imitates that. The construction work proceeds more slowly than Ludwig exspected. 1869, the foundation stone was laid. Ludwig intended to move into his chambers 3 years after that, but during the construction work, it gets harder and harder to meet his demands. The costs explode. After 3 years, Neuschwanstein is very far from completion. - Your Majesty, it is an honour you join us. - Your progress is modest. - We are erecting the foundation walls of the Palas. - All well and good, but the completion of the Gatehouse is more important. I intend to move into an apartment. - In the Gatehouse? - Yes, it is the best spot to watch the progress. Does the sunlight fall directly through these windows? At what daytime? As wished, the Gatehouse is completed first. Now, he can move into his chambers. But those who exspected Ludwig to reside there with pomp experience a surprise. It is hard to believe, but Ludwig put his royal head on this plank bed. Some chairs, a table, a bench. That was his entire furnishings. It was sufficient because he could watch his fantastic refuge growing into the sky. What more did he need? Probably, King Ludwig spent the happiest time of his life in the Gatehouse. But reality catches up with Ludwig even in his picturesque hiding place. Count Hollenstein, his closest confidant, is amoung the few being allowed to enter the Gatehouse. - The cabinet insists you will go to Berlin personally to defend Bavaria's interests. Bismarck is heading towards a confrontation with France. - He needs a war to forge Germany's unity. Because of the alliance with Prussia, we will be forced to join that game. YOU will go to Berlin, Hollenstein! We have no choice anyway. It makes no difference whether I will go or not. - As you wish. At this time, the construction proceeds smoothly. Now, it is high politics changing everything. 1870, France, provoked by Bismarck, declares war on Prussia. Because of the defeat a few years ago, Ludwig is forced to support Prussia. The Bavarian army marches to war under the command of the Prussian crown prince. France is crushed by the combined German forces. Due to the flush of victory, Bismarck forges an united Germany under Prussian guidance. "May God save us from Prussia's claws," Ludwig warned. Vainly. January 1871, the German Emperor is proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Ludwig is absent pretending toothache. Nevertheless, he made an unvoluntary but important contribution to the cronation. He of all people asked the Prussian king to accept the emperorship. - Why is it me of all people having to be king at this time? - Singing is the best thing to do. Bismarck will gild your signature with 6 million marks. - Be quiet! Did Ludwig have a choice? Afterwards, he justified himself: "I acted in Bavaria's interests." Unquestionably, Bismarck's compensation is very useful to him, but his conscience bothers him. "Prevent they will say it was Ludwig who dug the grave of the Bavarian monarchy!" Bavaria is still an own state but it is no longer sovereign. There are differences of opinion whether the German Empire of 1871 can be considered as a federal state or rather a confederation of states. But this distinction, only crucial for historians, had no impact on Ludwig's hurted self-image. More than ever before, Ludwig plunges into his building projects. The centerpiece of the castle is tackled: the massive, four-storeged residential building, called "Palas". Some day, the ruler is going to live there. He alone will be allowed to enter the staircase and the large residential tower. After 11 years, the shell is completed. The king's residence, his audience room, the rooms of the servants, the kitchen. 1883, the Singers' Hall, copied from the Wartburg, is finally completed. But in his Singers' Hall, no festivals are to be celebrated. He intends to give himself up to the world of knights and courtly love. Alone Still, the king is not pleased with the overall concept. But gradually, his modifications get bizarre. - These two domes displease me. Make one dome out of them! - By your leave, the planning being almost finished has always included two domes. - No, these are two domes. - But this is hardly to realize. - I distinctly ordered ONE dome. Why are you presenting TWO domes? ONE king, ONE dome! Your plans are just unworthy! - Yes, Your Majesty. But who is going to pay for that? Ludwig begins to borrow to finance his constant modifications. Parts of the construction are aborted. For example, Ludwig suddenly decides to build an open hall beneath a room with columns. His architects certainly told him of the impracticability because of statics. But finally, it can be performed anyway. Dinig Room and Audience Chamber must disappear to construct the Throne Hall across two floors. Now, the floor beneath the Throne Hall has to carry the entire weight. The load of the dome cannot be conducted away. To solve that problem, large, iron double T-girder are installed beneath the Throne Hall. During the 2nd half of the 19th century, iron an steel revolutionize the world. Gustave Eiffel is one of the masters of steel construction. Also world-famous: London's Crystal Palace bulit of cast iron and glass for the 1st World's Fair of 1851. On the roof truss of Neuschwanstein,16 steel rips conduct away the load of the dome. Beneath the Throne Hall, huge steel beams bear the weight. The levels are linked by the columns of the Throne Hall. At the first sight, they look antique and marbled, but their core consists of steel conducting away the load of the dome. 1885, after two years, the Throne Hall is finally completed. Ludwig's dream became reality, but he do not want to awake.