It’s time again to celebrate King Ludwig II. („Wittelsbacher”) ‘s birthday in Oberammergau at the evening of 24’th of August. 2024.
King Ludwig II. was born 25’th of August 1845 in Nymphenburg Castle in Munich.
The tradition started 1888 after Ludwig’s mysterious early death 1886. The King and the Wittelsbacher dynasty had strong connection to the area.
It was one of the hunting grounds and several castles were placed here. More for pleasure and representational purposes in the 19’th century. Ludwig with his construction projects brought a lot of money and work into the area.
He also attended a special staging of the Oberammergau Passion Play 1871 (postponed 1970 when Germany was at war with France). Every main character was invited for a rare dinner in Castle Linderhof staged by Ludwig who rarely welcomed visitors The actors received a silver spoon at that event. Except for Judas who only received one made from tin.
Ludwig donated a monumental statue group “Kreuzigungsgruppe”. Crucifixion ensemble.
On the difficult transport “Johannes” fell from the wagon. On the steep way up the “Ettaler Berg” and killed two craftsmen. Ludwig later came to the ensemble for several years to pray for them. But as that caused too much attention, he quit that habit.
The “Luggi Feuer” used to be a quiet event for the villager.
But more and more reckless people, bloggers, Twitters etc. are flowing in these days. Parking their cars in the dark fields of sustainable farming. Trying to enjoy the charm of darkness, some music like the Bavarian anthem, the Crown, Cross, L, II depicted with fires up on the mountains. While destroying it. Unfortunately, I forgot to take along our Ludwig II. So, we hired Heiner as a makeshift solution in one of the quality souvenir shops in Oberammergau.
Most challenging appears to be the fire cross in the north wall of the Kofel Mountain.
A nice sight is watching the fire makers climbing back down at the end while carrying traditional torches through the wall. In complete darkness. In a row lined up.
We came early enough to enjoy
-another cable gondola trip up on the Laberjoch with the biggest Two Rope Big Cabin Circular gondola cableway of the world.
-And the paragliders performing their stunts like Dragonflies.
The mountains were given to the farmers of Oberammergau by King Ludwig II. 1873.
The fires were lit at about 21:30. Only two hours before, some rain swept through the valley, but the sky cleared up a 20:00.
Keeping us from having lunch in a beer garden.
We thank the fire makers and musicians in the sheer, exhausting, dangerous walls for another great nostalgic experience.
This morning, we found some souvenirs on the way and picked them up. Remains of the essentials for the Feuermacher (fire makers).
Credit: Maps Icons ColIlection, https://mapicons.mapsmarker.com/
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