King Ludwig I., II., name day + birthday 25. August; Ludwig III; Ludwig XVI head
The swarm joined some other royal event in August.

As the 25’th auf August

-is the name day and at the same time the birthday of King Ludwig I., and King Ludwig II. Grandfather of King Ludwig II. of Bavaria

-and the name day of King Ludwig III.

-and the name day of King Ludwig XVI. of France who was the godfather of King Ludwig I. and whose head is visible in the ticket box office in Castle Linderhof. He used to be installed in the park of Castle Linderhof but the stone of which his bust was made was soft. So he was endangered to lose his head because of the grim weather in the Ammergauer Mountain range, so he had to be barred inside later.
The event turned out, to be another picture book Bavarian event with Leather trousers, garb clothes and brass music. And of course, the Bavarian hymn had to be sung enthusiastically.

The event started the evening before in Oberammergau and the 24’th of August. That is historically correct, as name days in the old days started to be celebrated the day before (Vigilien). It was a custom to read mass in the catholic church for the honored people and could go on for several days after the actual name day. Which became a problem with all the Saints and the year not having enough days. So that excessive custom had to stop after Pope Pius XII (who visited Oberammergau) restricted the ongoing name day excess.

 

As several Wittelsbacher Kings and Queens attended the Passion Play in Oberammergau and the royals did a lot for the village, the evening before the name day 24.08. of King Ludwig II. is still celebrated with mountain fires and music in Oberammergau.

So here is our Duckomentation of the events in the Ammergauer Alpen 2026. The weather was bad on the morning of 24.08. but the fog, the long awaited rain and clouds disappeared just in time to make way for clear sight in the evening.